Harrisonburg, Virginia is known as a quiet Shenandoah Valley college town framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains, home to James Madison University, a place often described as safe, close-knit, and steady. But in late 2021, that sense of steadiness was shaken. Behind an unassuming shopping center on Evelyn Byrd Avenue, human remains were discovered concealed, discarded, and at first unidentified. What followed was the uncovering of a pattern: women disappearing. At least four women across Virginia from Harrisonburg to Fairfax County, lost their lives. They were not all found in the same place. Their remains were discovered in different jurisdictions, in separate communities, at different times a pattern that might not have immediately appeared connected. In Harrisonburg, security cameras of a Howard Johnson Hotel captured critical footage images that helped investigators identify and track a suspect before more lives were lost.  The man later charged would be labeled the “Shopping Cart Killer.” This story reminds us that evil is everywhere, and the worst people can pretend to be something else entirely.

Sources:

Wikipedia – Anthony Robinson (serial killer) - Anthony Robinson (serial killer) - Wikipedia

WMRA – Robinson found guilty in Harrisonburg shopping cart murders – Randi B. Hagi – January 30, 2025 - Robinson found guilty in Harrisonburg shopping cart murders

The Free Lance-Star – Suspect in women’s killings to get mental health evaluation – November 2, 2022

Richmond Times-Dispatch – Help sought for family of Charlottesville woman thought to be serial killer’s victim – Bryan McKenzie – December 20, 2021

NBC Washington – ‘Shopping Cart Killer’ is sole person of interest in Homicide of DC Woman – June 14, 2022 - ‘Shopping Cart Killer’ Is Sole Person of Interest in DC Homicide – NBC4 Washington

Find a Grave – Allene Elizabeth “Beth” Redmon - Allene Elizabeth “Beth” May Redmon (1967-2021) - Find a Grave Memorial

ABC7 News – Sonya Champ ID’ed as 5th potential victim of alleged shopping cart killer Anthony Robinson – Kevin Kuzminski – January 8, 2022 - Sonya Champ ID'ed as 5th potential victim of alleged shopping cart killer Anthony Robinson

WMRA – Sentencing delayed for Robinson’s murder convictions – Randi B. Hagi – September 3, 2025 - Sentencing delayed for Robinson's murder convictions

WHSV3 – Sentencing for ‘Shopping Cart Killer’ delayed; new date set – Mike Staley and Michael Russo – September 17, 2025 - Sentencing for ‘Shopping Cart Killer’ delayed; new date set

Rocktown Now – “Shopping Cart Killer” sentencing continued until May – Carolynn Unger – December 23, 2025 - “Shopping Cart Killer” sentencing continued until May - Rocktown Now

Wikipedia – Harrisonburg, Virginia - Harrisonburg, Virginia - Wikipedia

WTOP News – ‘Shopping cart killer’ suspect won’t use insanity defense, seeks to bar mention of Fairfax Co., DC cases – Neil Augenstein – August 23, 2024 - ‘Shopping cart killer’ suspect won’t use insanity defense, seeks to bar mention of Fairfax Co., DC cases - WTOP News

Police 1 – Police: 4 discovered bodies are victims of ‘shopping cart killer’ – Hayley Fowler – December 18, 2021 - Police: 4 discovered bodies are victims of 'shopping cart killer'

People – Woman Who Dated Alleged ‘ Shopping Cart’ Serial Killer Reveals His Most Disturbing Behavior: ‘Could Not believe It’ – Wendy Grossman Kantor – February 23, 2024 - 'Shopping Cart Killer' Case: Woman Who Dated Suspect Speaks Out