Man held in Max Meadows murder

On June 23, 2022, at approximately 5:00 am deputies discovered the body of Lloyd Trenton Stilwell at 190 Stone Drive in Max Meadows. Stilwell sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim was found lying facedown and no firearm was found in or near the vicinity of the victim. The body was taken to the medical examiner’s office in Roanoke for an autopsy.

During the initial investigation, the 911 call was made by Kenneth Michael Sayers (pictured) who resides at 150 Stone Drive. Sayers advised he was walking his dogs when he discovered Mr. Stilwell. He then returned home and called 911 and returned to the scene. Investigators on the scene said that Sayers described a suspect’s vehicle leaving the scene where the victim was killed. Additional independent witnesses throughout the neighborhood stated that they heard a single gunshot at approximately 9:30 pm on June 22, 2022.

As the investigation progressed multiple subjects were questioned including Mr. Sayers who changed his initial story and advised that he was present when Mr. Stilwell was shot and that he knew who shot him. Sayers stated he held the victim after he was shot, and his life was threatened if he told who killed Mr. Stilwell. He then provided a name and a description of a male who was questioned and was found not to be involved. Sayers made statements that were inconsistent which led investigators to believe Sayers was involved in Stilwell’s death.

On June 24, 2022, a search warrant was conducted on Sayers’s residence where ammunition was located. Sayers was arrested for having ammunition while being a convicted felon. Sayers was later interviewed at the Sheriff’s Office and admitted to killing Mr. Stilwell.

Sayers was arrested and charged with Murder (18.2-32) and Possession of ammunition after being convicted of a Felony. (18.2-308.2) He is being held in the New River Valley Regional Jail without Bond.

-Wythe County Sheriff’s Office