Virginia Beach Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2020 Murder

State of Virginia - Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth's Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced the sentencing of 41-year-old Hagen Lawrence Roberts. Roberts was sentenced to life plus five years in prison for First-Degree Murder and Stabbing in the Commission of a Felony.

This represents the maximum sentence for these charges. Circuit Court Judge Stephen C. Mahan presided over the three-day jury trial. Roberts was found guilty on November 20, 2025.

The investigation began on October 8, 2020. Virginia Beach police responded to a residence on Green Cedar Lane in Virginia Beach, Virginia. A 911 caller reported that his wife, Cynthia Capps, was missing after he had taken a shower.

The husband contacted the police after finding a single drop of blood on the kitchen floor. Upon arrival, police searched the residence for Capps and any indicators of foul play.

Officers were informed that the family rented a room to Roberts. Police attempted to enter Roberts' bedroom and found the door locked. The door was breached, and Roberts was located lying on his bed.

He appeared wet from a recent shower. A cut on his right hand was wrapped in a black bandana.

A subsequent search of the property revealed blood stains in the backyard. Capps was discovered deceased inside a toolbox. She presented with severe trauma to her head and face.

An analysis by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Capps sustained over 90 stab wounds to the head, face, and neck.

The Department of Forensic Science tested multiple pieces of forensic evidence. A metal shard was removed from Capps' skull.

Police located a black folding knife with a broken tip covered in dried blood in Roberts' room.

Blood-covered clothing was found in an outside trash can, and blood stains were documented throughout the home.

Forensic analysis confirmed the metal shard was a direct match to the folding knife. The DNA of both Capps and Roberts was identified on the folding knife, the discarded clothing, and the blood stains within the residence.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorneys Thomas J. Wright and Gordon C. Ufkes prosecuted the case.