Katelynn Hipes is wanted in connection to the murder of Kevin Small in Virginia. According to police reports the body of Kevin Small was found outside of his home in Nelson County Virginia, he had been fatally shot. Police soon focused on Katelynn Hipes who had a relationship with Small. According to court documents Hipes was recently found not guilty of assault against Kevin Small which took place in February. Small also attempted to get an order of protection against Hipes however the court denied it
Police have said they plan to charge Hipes with second degree murder along with other charges
Anyone with information regarding Katelynn Hipes whereabouts is asked to call authorities
Katelynn Hipes News
The search for 22-year-old Katelynn Hipes has ramped up. The Nelson County Sheriff’s Office said she is a suspect in the recent murder of 48-year-old Kevin Small.
Nelson County Sheriff Mark Embrey said they have many agencies across the area searching for her.
Deputies found Small dead outside his home in Shipman on Friday morning. They believe he was shot and killed on Thursday.
According to the GoFundMe page, aimed at helping the family pay for funeral costs, “His loss has caused a deep void in the hearts of his family and all who knew him. Kevin was a devoted son, brother, and uncle. He never met a stranger. Kevin will be forever remembered for the loving and caring person that he was.”
Sheriff Embrey said they have increased the manpower in this search. Many different agencies from across the region are searching for her.
“I feel that right now, obviously, there is no threat to the Nelson County community. But as far as manpower and resources, I feel that we will, in due time, we will locate Ms. Hipes and she will be taken into custody on this matter,” Embrey said.
They do not believe she is currently in Nelson County.
He said they will be charging her with 2nd degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Embrey said they believe Small and Hipes had a relationship, but it’s unclear if it was romantic.
According to court records, Hipes was charged with assault and battery against Kevin Small back in February. This last week, she was found not guilty.
Small also attempted to take out a protective order against Hipes, but the court dismissed it.
Warrants we obtained Monday list Hipes as homeless.
“We believe that she was floating between residents, her family is in the Verona area of Augusta County, and we believe between Augusta County and Nelson, she was over here relatively frequently,” Embrey said.
He said law enforcement is searching across the area, and they feel confident they will be able to apprehend her.
Katelynn Hipes Captured
The suspect in a Nelson County killing was arrested Tuesday in Harrisonburg, according to the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office.
Harrisonburg Police (HPD) arrested Katelynn Ann Hipes, 22, after serving a search warrant at a home.
Hipes is accused of killing Kevin Scott Small of Shipman, Virginia. Small was found outside a home with a gunshot wound to his chest and was pronounced dead at the scene Friday, April 18, according to deputies.
Hipes is charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
HPD officers, in coordination with the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Task Force, identified her location at the home on Lee Avenue in Harrisonburg, and HPD’s Criminal Investigations Division obtained a search warrant for the address. Just after 4 p.m. April 22, the HPD Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) team executed the search warrant at the residence. With assistance from the Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT), Hipes was taken into custody without incident, according to HPD.
NCSO is thanking the following agencies for the help with this case:
- Augusta County Sheriff’s Office
- Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office
- Staunton Police Department
- Harrisonburg Police Department
- Virginia State Police
- United States Marshal Service
https://www.wdbj7.com/2025/04/22/nelson-county-murder-suspect-custody
Katelynn Hipes New Mugshot
