Sarah Greenhalgh: Virginia Reporter’s Unsolved Murder Case
Sarah Greenhalgh was a talented journalist and photographer who was found murdered in her Virginia cottage on July 9, 2012. Her case remains unsolved despite police naming a suspect in her shooting death.
The Life and Career of Sarah Greenhalgh
Sarah Libbey Greenhalgh was an accomplished journalist and photographer whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 48. Born to Sara Lee Greenhalgh and Georgetown Law professor William (Bill) Greenhalgh, Sarah grew up in Potomac with her sister Kate, who was twelve years her senior. Her mother was a longtime active member of the Potomac Hunt Club, which likely influenced Sarah’s later interest in equestrian sports.
Sarah’s educational journey was impressive. She graduated from the Oldfields School in Glencoe, studied fine art in Italy, earned her undergraduate degree from Lynchburg College, and completed graduate-level work at Columbia University’s School of Journalism. This strong academic foundation prepared her for a successful career in journalism that spanned multiple publications and beats.
Professional Achievements
Sarah Greenhalgh built a career that straddled two worlds: equestrian journalism and mainstream news reporting. At the time of her death, she was working as a reporter for The Winchester Star in Virginia, covering Frederick County government. However, her professional portfolio was much broader.
Throughout her career, Sarah worked for several “real” media outlets, including:
- Gannett
- Gazette
- ARCOM (now Times Community Media), publishers of the Fauquier Times-Democrat
- The Winchester Star
Her true passion, however, was equestrian journalism. Her work appeared in prestigious publications such as:
- The Equiery
- The Chronicle of the Horse
- The Maryland Horse
- Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred
- Steeplechase Times
Even The Washington Post published her racing stories and articles on the Washington International Horse Show, marking a significant achievement for any journalist.
Photography Excellence
Beyond her writing, Sarah was renowned for her exceptional photography skills, particularly in capturing steeplechase events. Former Chronicle publisher and co-photographer Rob Banner described her work as “incredible – indelible.” While formal accolades were few, she did receive an honorable mention for an Eclipse Award, a significant recognition in the field.
Her photography was so well-regarded that many in the steeplechase community treasured framed photos taken by Sarah, often considering them their favorite images. She also created homemade holiday cards featuring clever portraits of her beloved cats or stunning images of great cats she photographed during African safaris.
The Tragic Murder of Sarah Greenhalgh
On the morning of July 9, 2012, firefighters responded to a fire at a small cottage in Upperville, Virginia. What they discovered was far more disturbing than a house fire. Inside the burning building, they found the body of Sarah Greenhalgh. Initially, it appeared she might have died in the fire, but investigators soon determined she had been shot.
The Crime Scene
The scene revealed several disturbing details:
- Sarah had died from a gunshot wound to the neck
- The fire had been intentionally set with lighter fluid to destroy evidence
- Her face and torso were covered with debris in the room, suggesting her killer knew her well
- She was found in her bedroom of the small cottage she had rented for about a year
The murder shocked the usually peaceful town of Upperville, located in Virginia’s horse country about 60 miles outside Washington, D.C. For a community unaccustomed to violent crime, the brutal killing of a well-known local journalist was particularly jarring.
The Investigation
The Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office immediately began investigating the murder, making it their top priority. One of the most significant breaks in the case came from Sarah herself, in the form of a Facebook post she made hours before her death.
At approximately 11 p.m. on the night before she was found dead, Sarah posted:
“Going to be sleeping with the window wide open. Now if bat-sh– crazy boy would just leave me alone … will get some much-needed rest because tomorrow is Monday and I got a ton of work to do.”
This cryptic message became a crucial piece of evidence. Investigators determined that the murder likely occurred between that 11 p.m. post and when she was discovered at around 8 a.m. the following morning.
The Suspect
The investigation led police to identify the “bat-sh– crazy boy” mentioned in Sarah’s final Facebook post. He was John Kearns, a 50-year-old auto body worker who had been dating Sarah. According to police reports, Kearns and Sarah had been seen arguing the night before her death.
In a search warrant affidavit that was unsealed in 2018, the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office named Kearns as a suspect. Officers observed “significant injuries” on his fists, though the nature and cause of these injuries were not fully detailed in available reports.
Despite naming Kearns as a suspect and gathering evidence, no arrests have been made in the case as of 2025. The investigation has continued for over a decade, with police remaining tight-lipped about many details of the case.
The Impact of Sarah’s Death
The murder of Sarah Greenhalgh had a profound impact on her family, colleagues, and the communities she served as a journalist.
Family Response
When Sara Lee Greenhalgh, Sarah’s mother, learned of her daughter’s murder, she was devastated and struggled to comprehend the news. “It’s just almost impossible to get my head around that word,” she said. “I just can’t fathom that Sarah would be murdered. Who would do that?”
At 95 years old (at the time of statements made in 2024), Sara Lee has lived with the pain of her daughter’s unsolved murder for over a decade, still seeking answers and justice.
Professional Legacy
Sarah’s colleagues at The Winchester Star and throughout the journalism community mourned the loss of a talented reporter. Her managing editor at the Star noted that Sarah was an accurate and fair reporter, and couldn’t think of any stories she had written that would have made her a target.
Rob Banner, former Chronicle publisher, remembered her articles as “beautifully crafted,” noting that “her insight and sensitivity to everything related to the sport was woven into every word.” He described her as “the consummate journalist: probing, curious, a fiend for facts. She was smart and gutsy.”
Margaret Worrall, whose book “The My Lady’s Manor Races 1909-2009” featured some of Sarah’s photography, described her as “a special person” who was “feisty and she was kind; she was talented and she made mistakes, just like all of us.”
Community Impact
The steeplechase and equestrian communities, which Sarah had documented so beautifully through her writing and photography, felt her absence keenly. As Worrall noted, “The steeplechase world is not only small, but it is even more close-knit. When the races come around, especially in Maryland in the spring, we will look for Sarah and mourn again the fact that she isn’t there.”
The murder also shook the typically peaceful communities of Upperville and Winchester, Virginia, bringing unwanted attention and a sense of unease to areas unaccustomed to violent crime.
The Media Coverage and Public Interest
Sarah’s story has continued to capture public interest years after her death, with various media outlets covering the case and its developments.
News Coverage
Ironically, Sarah finally achieved what many journalists consider the pinnacle of success—appearing on the front page of The Washington Post—but not in the way she would have wanted. As noted by Crystal Brumme Kimball, publisher of The Equiery, “For every news reporter, to have a story on the front page of The Washington Post is to have achieved the Holy Grail. But the Holy Grail is to have one’s byline appear above the story, not to be the story.”
Local and national news outlets covered the investigation, though details remained limited as police kept much of the information confidential during the ongoing investigation.
Documentary Coverage
In October 2024, Sarah’s case was featured on the television show “People Magazine Investigates” in an episode titled “A Story to Die For.” The episode, which aired on Investigation Discovery (ID) and streamed on Max, detailed the circumstances surrounding her death and the subsequent investigation.
The show brought renewed attention to the case, exploring the cryptic Facebook post she made hours before her murder and the challenges faced by detectives as they worked to solve the crime.
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Sarah Greenhalgh: In Her Own Words
Before her death, Sarah shared insights into her life through a Facebook post titled “25 Things About Sarah” on June 16, 2009. These personal details offer a glimpse into her adventurous spirit and varied interests:
- She had surgery at 16 months old to remove a swallowed safety pin
- She almost lost her hearing as a child due to frequent earaches
- As a child, she wanted to be a herpetologist (studying reptiles and amphibians)
- She worked at the National Zoo in the Reptile House as a teenager
- At age 13, she traveled unescorted to Africa to visit a British childhood friend
- At 14, she nearly drowned at Ocean City, MD in a rip current
- At 15, she fell through a frozen pond but managed to rescue herself
- She was the only girl on an all-boys soccer team in 7th/8th grade and was a starter
- She crossed the Atlantic many times on ocean liners
- She loved roller coasters, considering them “excellent therapy”
These personal anecdotes paint a picture of a fearless, independent woman who embraced life’s adventures and challenges—traits that served her well in her journalism career.
The Current Status of the Case
As of 2025, Sarah Greenhalgh’s murder remains unsolved. Despite the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office naming John Kearns as a suspect in court documents, no arrests have been made, and no one has been charged with her murder.
The investigation has continued for over a decade, with police occasionally releasing limited information. In 2018, the unsealing of a search warrant affidavit provided some additional details about the case, including the confirmation that Sarah had been shot before the fire was set and that Kearns had been named as a suspect.
Law enforcement officials have stated that the case remains a priority, but the passage of time has made it increasingly difficult to gather new evidence or witness testimony. Family members and friends continue to seek justice for Sarah, hoping that someday her killer will be brought to account.
The Other Sarah Greenhalgh: A Different Journalist
It’s worth noting that there is another journalist named Sarah Greenhalgh who is not connected to this case. This other Sarah Greenhalgh has worked as a reporter and anchor for 7NEWS in Brisbane, Australia. To avoid confusion, it’s important to distinguish between the two journalists:
- Sarah Libbey Greenhalgh: The American journalist and photographer who was murdered in Virginia in 2012
- Sarah Greenhalgh: The Australian journalist who has worked as a foreign correspondent and news anchor for 7NEWS in Brisbane
The Australian Sarah Greenhalgh has had a successful career spanning over a decade with Channel 7, beginning as a helicopter traffic reporter in Brisbane before progressing through regional newsrooms in Mackay and Cairns. In 2019, she was appointed Europe Correspondent, covering major global events including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, and the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
More recently, she returned to Brisbane to co-anchor the 7NEWS Brisbane evening news alongside Max Futcher, replacing Sharyn Ghidella. Her work with 7NEWS Spotlight has earned her recognition at prestigious awards ceremonies, including the Walkley Awards, Kennedy Awards, and Queensland Clarion Awards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Sarah Greenhalgh?
Sarah Greenhalgh was found dead in her burning cottage in Upperville, Virginia, on July 9, 2012. Investigators determined she had been shot in the neck before the fire was deliberately set to destroy evidence. Despite identifying a suspect, no arrests have been made, and her murder remains unsolved.
Who was the main suspect in Sarah Greenhalgh’s murder?
John Kearns, a 50-year-old auto body worker who was dating Sarah at the time, was named as a suspect in court documents. He was reportedly the “bat-sh– crazy boy” Sarah mentioned in her final Facebook post, and the couple had been seen arguing the night before her death. Police noted “significant injuries” on his fists, but he has never been charged with the crime.
Was Sarah Greenhalgh’s murder related to her work as a journalist?
Investigators have not publicly linked Sarah’s murder to her work as a journalist. Her managing editor at The Winchester Star stated she couldn’t think of any stories Sarah had written that would have made her a target. However, sources mentioned that Sarah had been working on an investigative piece for the Star at the time of her death, though details of this project have not been disclosed.
What evidence was found at the crime scene?
While many details remain confidential due to the ongoing investigation, it’s known that Sarah died from a gunshot wound to the neck, and lighter fluid was used to set the fire in an attempt to destroy evidence. Her face and torso were covered with debris in the room, which investigators interpreted as a sign that her killer knew her well.
Has there been any recent progress in solving the case?
As of 2025, no arrests have been made in Sarah Greenhalgh’s murder case. The most significant public development came in 2018 when a search warrant affidavit was unsealed, providing some additional details about the investigation. The case received renewed public attention in October 2024 when it was featured on the television show “People Magazine Investigates.”
Samantha Yates is a creative writer and journalist with expertise in content creation and editing. She holds an MA in Creative Writing and brings professional experience from Lionbridge, where she developed engaging content for leading technology companies
