Prosecutor Blasts Loudoun Sheriff For Release Of Former Murder Suspect

Updated at 6:50 p.m.

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — A man released from jail in Loudoun County on Thursday after his murder charge was dropped has the county prosecutor blasting the sheriff's office for mishandling the suspect.

Stone Colburn, 25, was originally arrested in July 2021 in connection with the stabbing death of Natalie Crow, in Round Hill. He was charged with second-degree murder and stabbing in commission of a felony.

Legal wrangling over whether he was competent to stand trial, and the dropping of charges while prosecutors sought a new evaluation and filed another criminal charge of concealing a body, led to Colburn's mistaken release.

A statement by Commonwealth Attorney Buta Biberaj late Friday afternoon said the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office issued a press release "that mischaracterizes the release of Colburn and their lack of accountability. It attempts to mislead the public and unfairly shift the blame to our office.”

Colburn’s release was the result of an error by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and occurred despite her office filing the additional charge against Colburn Thursday night in Loudoun County Circuit Court, Biberaj said.

Colburn had been at Central State Hospital in Petersburg for a mental competency evaluation and treatment to restore his mental health. A report filed with the General District Court said Colburn was incompetent to stand trial for Crow's death. The Commonwealth asked for a second evaluation, but the motion was denied.

The Circuit Court ordered Colburn be taken to the jail so he would answer to the new charge, which was an attempt to keep Colburn in custody and allow for a second competency evaluation in the higher court, the prosecutor said.

“Based on the severity of the crime and the concerns for the current and future safety of the community, we consulted with other mental health evaluators and concluded we needed a second evaluation," Biberaj said. “We could not in good conscience allow Colburn to avoid a trial.”

Read more: Suspect Identified, Charged In Round Hill Slaying: Police

Colburn is now wanted by authorities on the charge of concealing a body.

If convicted of the new charge, Colburn could face up to five years in prison, based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines.

Police described Colburn as a white man who is about 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing a gray and black flannel shirt over a black sweatshirt, maroon knit hat, gray sweatpants, and black shoes.

Anyone who sees Colburn should call 911, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said.