Man charged in 1994 Rockingham County cold case murder

Reidsville police announced a break in a nearly 30-year-old cold case with the help of new evidence technology.

Edward Ware’s body was found May 7, 1994, at his home on the 200 block of Harris Street, according to Reidsville police.

On Feb. 23, 2023, police re-looked at the case and its evidence. Reidsville Chief of Police Ray Gibson said they're always investigating cases, but that this one had a breakthrough.

The State Crime Lab retested the evidence to help officers identify the alleged suspect. Using a new program called STRmix, investigators tested evidence dating back to the murder.

According to Reidsville Police, Johnny Ware has been charged with the first-degree murder of Edward Ware. Police confirmed Johnny was Edward's nephew.