Martinsville man dies; Yanceyville resident sought for murder

July 18, 2019

Local News

DANVILLE, Va. — A Martinsville man who was beaten about the head and left in the emergency room of a Danville hospital has died, and police are continuing the search for his killer.

72-year-old Melvin Smith died at Duke University Medical Center almost two weeks to the day after he was attacked in Danville on July 4th.

39-year-old Lindsey Wilson of Yanceyville, N.C. is charged in the assault and remains at large.

Danville Police were called to Sovah Health’s emergency room around 12:30 on the afternoon of July 4th after Smith was dropped off in the ER. Smith had been beaten and was suffering from blunt force trauma and lacerations to his head and neck. He was later transferred to Duke.

Whoever dropped Smith in the emergency room left before police arrived but authorities found the car they were driving in the 800 block of Betts Street. Evidence showed the assault took place at that address.

Wilson was initially charged with malicious wounding in the incident.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911 or Danville Crime Stoppers at 434-793-0000.