Elsie Wiggington’s family seeks justice and peace”

AMHERST CO., VA – After a long investigation, Elsie Wiggington’s family is one step closer to healing.

It's been a long road to get to this point, so we'd like to walk you through everything we know so far.

• Elsie's family says she first disappeared last June.

• On June 23, 2023, she wrote to her foster sister Tracey Coleman, “He is going to kill me,” and told her that she was coming to Maryland to live with her.

• Two days later, on June 25, Elsie’s daughter Sativa received a text message from her mother’s phone

• The next day, June 26, she was reported missing.

• But that all changed when Jimmy Ayers was elected sheriff and took office in January 2024.

• Elsie’s nursing license expired on April 30, 2024 – causing even greater concern for her family.

• On July 9, 2024, officers searched the property on Pendleton Drive

• Two days later, on July 11, her family held a press conference and stated that they believed she had been murdered.

• This brings us to August 14, when the property was searched again.

  • This time, officers found human remains that they believe are Elsie.

  • They also arrested her husband, Fredrick Wiggington, on charges of concealing a corpse.

Elsie's family told 10 News that with this new discovery and the arrest, they are getting closer to closing the case.

“We are slowly picking up the pieces and putting it all together,” said Elsie’s sister Victoria Seal.

When Elsie Wiggington disappeared last June, Seal didn't know if they would ever get answers.

“We all agree that the old administration screwed up,” Seal said.

On Wednesday, police officers searched the property Elsie shared with her husband Fredrick Wiggington for the second time.

“What was the first thing that went through your mind when you heard that remains had been found?” asked 10 News reporter Abbie Coleman.

“It was a bittersweet moment. I was happy. Of course there is still a glimmer of hope that she is still out there, but I think me and my family knew that this was going to be the end result,” Seal said.

That same day, Elsie's husband Frederick was arrested and charged with concealing a corpse.

Her family has told 10 News for months that they believe Elsie was a victim of domestic violence and was trying to leave him at the time of her disappearance.

“What was it like for you to find her on this property?” asked Coleman.

“It was a lot to digest, but we were pretty sure she was there, so it was no surprise,” Seal said.

It has yet to be confirmed that the remains are Elsie's, but Seal is confident that further charges will be filed once the results are in.

“With this justice, we can say that justice has been done for Elsie and our family. I think that's a big part of the healing process. The fact that everything is coming together so quickly is part of our healing process, that's the beginning of the healing process,” Seal said.

Despite the difficult feelings, Seal tells us they are grateful to finally have some of the answers they have been looking for and to be able to plan a memorial service for Elsie.

“We're working with a year of lost time, so it's critical that they can confiscate or obtain the evidence and DNA they need,” Seal said.

No court date has been set for Frederick Wiggington, but we will keep you updated on air and online.