WYTHEVILLE, VA – A Virginia woman, who was previously released on bond for an alleged assault involving a metal pipe, is now charged with murder. Savannah Adams, 28, is accused of setting a friend on fire, causing fatal injuries, according to law enforcement officials.
Adams allegedly attacked Tiffany Dunford in Max Meadows on Sunday, Nov. 17. Police say Adams doused Dunford in gasoline and ignited the fire while Dunford was on a couch in a separate structure on her property.
Responding to a call, deputies from the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office found Dunford with extensive burns. She was immediately airlifted to a specialized medical facility but succumbed to her injuries later that day, the sheriff’s office reported.
Adams, who reportedly had a personal connection to Dunford through a network of friends and family, escaped the scene in a silver Dodge Neon. She was apprehended early Monday. Initially charged with attempted second-degree murder and felonious assault, Adams now faces a first-degree murder charge following Dunford’s death.
The family described Dunford as a spirited presence. “She didn’t deserve to be burned,” said her cousin Nancy Reyna, highlighting the family’s devastation. Both women identified as mothers, often sharing images with their children on social media platforms.
Investigators mentioned issues of online impersonation amid the tragedy, as reports emerged of Adams allegedly hacking into the Facebook account of one of Dunford’s relatives, sending messages in their name.
The motive for the attack remains undisclosed, with details still emerging. Adams’ previous legal encounters paint a troubling picture: she was due in Pulaski County court for a misdemeanor property destruction charge and was already out on bond for the earlier pipe assault incident. Her criminal history also includes convictions for trespassing and obstructing justice.
Currently, Adams is held without bond at the New River Valley Regional Jail as the case unfolds. The community of Max Meadows grapples with the shock of such violence within their ranks.
