Danville woman’s death ruled homicide

The Medical Examiner's Office in Roanoke has identified the body found in Pittsylvania County last week as Courtney Turpin Servais and has ruled the cause of death a homicide, according to Pittsylvania County Sheriff Mike Taylor.

Servais, 30, of Danville, was reported missing Dec. 19.

She disappeared after her car was involved in a reported hit-and-run on U.S. 360 in Pittsylvania County. A cadaver dog from a Northern Virginia search-and-rescue group found Servais' body on Christmas Eve in the 17000 block of Old Richmond Road/Route 360 in Red Oak Hollow, about 2 miles from the Pittsylvania County and Halifax County boundary line.

Authorities have said Servais was last seen with Dennis Daniel before she disappeared. Daniel has been named a person of interest in the case and is being held without bond at the Halifax County Jail on other charges.

Further details concerning her death are not being released pending further investigation, Taylor said.

Steven Servais, Courtney's husband, said that he had already identified her by tattoos and other features found on the body.

In addition to her husband, Courtney Servais is survived by her parents, two sons and a daughter.

A memorial service was held yesterday at Norris Funeral Services in Danville. A private interment will be held at a later date.