Town file
Keeling, Virginia
Keeling, Virginia (Pittsylvania County, Virginia) is the town in one episode of Small Town Murder, the comedy true-crime podcast: episode 735, "A Web Of Deceit, Sex & Murder" (17 September 2026). In the early hours of 30 October 2002, Pittsylvania County sheriff's deputies were sent to a trailer on Loop Road in Keeling, Virginia, a remote community in the south of the state.
- Town
- Keeling
- County
- Pittsylvania County
- State
- Virginia
- Country
- USA
- Episodes
- 735
- Approximate location
- 36.720, -79.288
Episode 735 / 17 September 2026 / 183 min / full
A Web Of Deceit, Sex & Murder
"It's in southern Virginia, way southern Virginia, right in the central part... right in the meat of Virginia. This is in Pittsylvania County." about 0:06:09
The case: Murders of Julian Clifton Lewis Jr. and Charles James 'CJ' Lewis (October 30, 2002). Read the case file.
The figures, as told in 2026
- Population
- 1,200
- Median age
- 48.1
- Median household income
- $65,956
- Median home value
- $135,000
- Two-bedroom rent
- $790
- Cost of living
- 79
- Religious
- 36.9%
- Property crime
- exactly average
- Violent crime
- ▲ about one third above the average
History, in brief
- Keeling's area code is 434. about 0:07:03
- The town was named for James C. Keeling, who owned a store on the site and was the first postmaster. about 0:07:07
- James C. Keeling was the son of Thomas and Margaret Keeling, who were born in Ireland; the family became prominent in Danville, about 20 minutes away. about 0:07:42
- On 28 August 2019 three people were found shot to death in a house on Keeling Drive; 18-year-old Bernard was arrested after a chase in which he ran through the streets naked. about 0:08:04
The reviews read out
3.2 stars
"3.2 stars from 69 reviews, which the hosts call not good."about 0:09:05
5 stars
"A common, peaceful area to live and a very family friendly place to raise kids."about 0:09:13
3 stars
"There is nothing in the town but land; the only things to do are bowling and the movies, and the people are nosy and racist."about 0:09:23
3 stars
"Born and raised there, knows every corner and hangout, loves the area and wants to bring success back, but the future does not look good and people say get out while you can."about 0:09:51
2 stars
"Crimes are getting worse, with shootings, drug busts and robberies instead of the area blooming."about 0:10:56
2 stars
"When the reviewer's son had an accident the ambulance took 45 minutes to arrive because the crew were lost."about 0:11:40
Nearest Small Town Murder towns
- Collinsville, Virginia35 miles
- Burlington, North Carolina46 miles
- Lynchburg, Virginia47 miles
- Summerfield, North Carolina50 miles
- Vinton, Virginia51 miles
- Amherst, Virginia61 miles
Everything here is as told in the episode, on the date it went out; figures and places may have changed since. Endings are covered: open an episode and use the spoiler switch to read them.