This article has been updated to reflect that Ms. Bennett was referred to both as Dawson’s wife and girlfriend in the criminal complaint.
ALDERSON (WVDN) – A Greenbrier County man is lodged in Southern Regional Jail after being charged with the murder of his live-in partner.
Zachary Hess Dawson, 33 or 34 (conflicting reports give his birth year as 1987 and 1988), of Alderson, was arrested on Nov. 25 in Lewisburg after his partner, Marissa Mann-Bennett, was discovered deceased in their home.
According to the criminal complaint, Alderson Police Chief Todd Williams was dispatched to Dawson and Mann-Bennett’s home at 9 a.m. after Mann-Bennett’s friend called emergency services after finding her unresponsive.
The complaint said Mann-Bennett “had sustained major facial trauma causing the victim to be deceased.” The complaint also said that “it appeared the subject was thrown through the residence and striking what appeared to be several items in the residence.” The complaint also stated that Mann-Bennett’s clothes had been changed, and that the basement bathroom appeared to have been cleaned with a cleaning solvent.
“It should be noted at this time that it appeared the fight that took place in the residence continued throughout said residence over a period of time,” the complaint said.
It should also be noted that the complaint refers to Mann-Bennett as Dawson’s “live-in girlfriend” and also as his “wife” later in the report, and it is unclear by the report whether the two were married.
The Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Office’s Crime Scene Team processed the scene.
Mann-Bennett’s friend also told investigators that her vehicle was gone from the home. Officers issued a be-on-the-lookout for the vehicle, and Dawson was arrested while driving her car in Lewisburg by West Virginia State Police Cpl. D.P. Dillon.
The complaint said Dillon “observed blood on Zachary Hess Dawson’s clothing, necklace, hands and on the inside of the vehicle.” It also stated that Dawson’s phone’s GPS was routing him to hotels near the interstate in Lewisburg.
Dawson was questioned by Williams and state police, and he admitted to striking Mann-Bennett the night before and that morning, and informed officers he “killed his wife,” the complaint said.
The complaint said, “subject stated that after striking his wife he blacked out, and when he came to, he knew that he messed up.” Dawson also admitted to changing her clothes
Dawson remains lodged in Southern Regional Jail with no bond.
There is a candlelight vigil scheduled for Mann-Bennett on Monday, Nov. 28, at 6 p.m. at the gazebo at 109 Railroad Ave. in Alderson, across the street from the fire department. Attendees are asked to wear purple to raise awareness of domestic violence.
