The Murder of Cynthia Carver

 Cynthia Carver’s mother, Ann, knew immediately something was wrong when her daughter failed to show for her new job on February 22, 2019. She spoke to Cynthia the night before; she was excited. Around 1 p.m., she drove past Cynthia’s house in Newsoms, Virginia, and saw the front door open. She stopped to investigate, as any mother would. Already frightened, her fears were exasperated when she saw blood at the front door. More blood spatter in the living room. A knife is sitting in front of the sofa.  The 35-year-old mother of two is nowhere to be found. Ann called the police.

Her daughters had spent the night with a family friend and weren’t home.

Police arrived at the home soon after the call. Officers investigated the home and determined Cynthia likely did not leave on her own accord. They found a sweater with multiple stab-wound holes near the front door. A fingernail was found on the floor.  They worked the case as a kidnapping.

Cynthia's Body Found

On March 19, 2019, Cynthia’s body was located in a marshy area in southern Suffolk, Virginia. She had been stabbed multiple times in her vaginal area, torso, and neck. Authorities confirmed her identity the next day. Her death was ruled a homicide by multiple sharp-force injuries.

Suspect Named, Later Arrested

Investigators suspected James Herbert Goodwyn Jr. knew something about Cynthia's disappearance. Soon, evidence proved their theory correct.

Carver and Goodwyn were friends who had met on Facebook. They had previously hung out a couple of times. He had even met her children. When speaking to police, Goodwyn denied going to her house the night she disappeared. When confronted with evidence, he changed his story. This time, he told police that he did go to Carver’s house, but did not go inside. He claimed he sat in his car talking to Cynthia in the driveway. He stayed a while, then left, and she went back inside her house. He was arrested in June 2019 in Virginia Beach and later charged with first-degree murder.

Goodwyn maintained his innocence, even when DNA evidence, including that found under Cynthia’s fingernail, linked him to the murder.

Who Was Cynthia Carver?

Cynthia was born on September 3, 1984. She grew up in Norfolk but relocated to Newsoms as an adult. Many family members lived in the small town, which had a population of about 300 people. She attended Mount Tabor Baptist Church and was beloved by everyone. She worked at Sussex II State Prison for several years.  She planned to work at Southside Regional Jail in nearby Emporia, but Goodwyn Jr. took her life.

Godwyn Convicted of First-Degree Murder

Years passed. Goodwyn sat in the county jail waiting for his trial to begin. COVID pandemic and motions filed by his lawyers caused numerous delays in an already case-backlogged state. 

His trial started in 2025. Goodwyn’s defense team tried to blame the married man Cynthia was having an affair with. failed to convince anyone of their theory. In April 2025, Cynthia Carver received the justice she deserved. James Goodwyn Jr. received a guilty verdict andwas sentenced to life without parole. The D.O.C. website says Goodwyn is serving his time at Wallens Ridge State Prison.

Rest in peace, Cynthia Carver.

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Thank you for reading this story.

Sources:

https://www.wtkr.com/2019/03/19/police-working-to-identify-womans-body-found-in-suffolk

https://www.12onyourside.com/2019/03/06/body-missing-southampton-county-woman-found/

https://www.wavy.com/news/crime/jury-sees-murder-weapon-grim-scenes-in-southampton-co-murder-trial/