ROANOKE, VA – The man responsible for the death of April Barnicoat, then 42, of Roanoke, and Eric Surface, 44 of Salem has been found guilty in court.
According to the Roanoke Police Department, on March 29, William R. Ray, 25 of Vinton, was found guilty by a jury of his peers for the March 2020 murders of April Barnicoat and Eric Surface. Ray was found guilty of two counts of 1st Degree Murder. Ray’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for July of this year.
“We commend the actions of the Roanoke Police Officers and Detectives who were involved in this case from the beginning,” the Roanoke Police Department said. “Their quick actions, dedication and hard work brought justice for a grieving family and held a violent offender responsible for his actions. We also want to thank personnel from our Commonwealth Attorney’s Office who worked with us and our community diligently on this case, leading to this successful prosecution.”
On March 1, 2020 just after 4:30 pm, Roanoke Police responded to a residence in the 1600 block of Queen Anne Dr SE for a well being check. On arrival, officers located an adult female and an adult male deceased inside the residence.