Lowe's tapes may hold clues to Roanoke woman's death

Roanoke police have obtained surveillance footage from Lowe’s as part of their continuing investigation into the April death of a south Roanoke woman.

Cary Mitchener was found dead in her home in the 2600 block of Stanley Avenue Southeast shortly after 6 p.m. on April 15, according to police and search warrants. Her arms were tied behind her back, her legs were bound and a bag had been placed over her head.

Police and the medical examiner’s office have yet to determine how Mitchener died, or to classify the death as a homicide or suicide.

The warrant, filed last week in Roanoke Circuit Court, said investigators are interested in video from the Lowe’s home improvement store in the 4500 block of Challenger Avenue. A receipt from an April 6 visit to the store, a little more than a week before Mitchener’s death, was found near her body, the warrant said.

Investigators obtained a CD of footage in hopes of identifying the person who made the purchases that evening.

Police spokesman Scott Leamon said the department could not comment on what was purchased or whether any items were involved in the death.

Following the discovery of Mitchener’s body, police seized rubber bands, a zip tie, bags and household items from the home. They also took two computers, a phone and a shirt.

Previous search warrants filed as part of the investigation have sought medical records and the joint financial records of Mitchener and her husband, a Roanoke plastic surgeon.

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