Henry County Sheriff’s Office Identifies Suspect in Ridgeway Homicide
- BTW21
- 7 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Ridgeway, Va. (October 20, 2025) — The Henry County Sheriff’s Office has identified a suspect in the homicide of Rhonda Lockett, a Ridgeway woman who was found dead in her home over the weekend.
At approximately 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, deputies responded to a welfare check at 1159 Garrett Road after receiving an anonymous call.
Upon arrival, deputies spoke with a 17-year-old resident who indicated that his mother needed help. Inside the home, deputies discovered the body of Rhonda Lockett in a bedroom. Henry County Public Safety later confirmed she was deceased.
Following an intensive investigation over the weekend, the Sheriff’s Office has named Joseph Chad Lockett, Rhonda Lockett’s estranged husband, as the primary suspect in her death. Authorities say she died from an apparent gunshot wound.
A warrant for First-Degree Murder has been issued for Joseph Lockett, who remains at large as of Monday, October 20.
He is considered armed and dangerous. Law enforcement officials believe he does not have the means to travel far and may still be in the local area. Agencies across the region have been alerted.
Sheriff Wayne Davis addressed the public in a statement, saying,
“Our investigators have worked tirelessly since Saturday, and we will not rest until Joseph Lockett is in custody. We ask anyone with information to come forward immediately to help bring justice for Rhonda and her family.”
Authorities are warning that anyone assisting or harboring Lockett may face felony charges for Accessory After the Fact.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information about Joseph Lockett’s whereabouts not to approach him, but to contact law enforcement immediately.
Tips can be submitted to:
Henry County Sheriff’s Office: (276) 638-8751
Crime Stoppers: (276) 632-7463 (63-CRIME)
Information leading to an arrest and conviction may be eligible for a cash reward.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as they become available.