61-year-old man charged with second-degree murder after man found dead inside Henrico home

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A 61-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder after a 65-year-old man was found dead inside a home in Henrico County on Thursday evening.

At 7:37 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, officers with the Henrico County Police Division responded to the 7500 block of Roswell Road for a welfare check. When they arrived, officers encountered 61-year-old Joseph Harold Laws, of Henrico, at his home.

He was transported to a local hospital after requesting medical services.

Officers then received information about a possible assault that may have occurred at the home. They responded to the address shortly after and found a man dead inside with obvious signs of trauma.

Investigators have identified the victim as 65-year-old William Ed Lawson, of Henrico. Henrico Police is working with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine the cause and manner of death.

According to police, Laws was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder.

Anyone with information about what may have occurred is asked to contact Det. R. Egan at 804-501-4878. You may also submit tips anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000 or by using P3tips.com.