On April 15, 2025 the Culpeper Police Department responded to a 911 emergency phone call in the 1000-blk of Hendrick St. The reporting party, Kelsey Berry, 32 of Culpeper, told dispatchers that she was abducted, bound, held against her will, strangled, and maliciously wounded with a knife in a residence in the 1000-blk of Hendrick St.

This call mandated an immediate and significant response from Culpeper Police Department officers, Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office deputies, and Culpeper County Emergency Services technicians. Berry was brought to a safe area where she was treated for non-life threatening injuries while law enforcement invested extensive resources into securing the area and searching for potential suspects. No suspects were located and Berry was transported to a local hospital for further medical treatment.

Culpeper Police Department detectives responded to the scene for further investigation. Detectives obtained a statement from Berry, collected physical evidence, and reviewed digital evidence. After a thorough investigation, it was determined that Berry had fabricated the incident. After consultation with the Culpeper County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, detectives obtained a misdemeanor warrant for False Report to Law Enforcement. Berry was arrested on April 30 and brought before a magistrate where she was released on bond.   

The Culpeper Police Department thanks the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office and Culpeper County Emergency Services for their assistance with this investigation.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Det. Hays at 540-829-5508 or email tips@culpeperva.gov. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can submit tips by calling Culpeper Crime Solvers at 540-727-0300 or submitting an online tip at culpeperpd.org.

Attached Photos: Kelsey Nichole Berry, 32, of Culpeper VA

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Contact: Detective Matthew Hays

Email: mhays@culpeperva.gov

Phone: 540-829-5508

May 21, 2025

MH-2025-10