HOPEWELL, Va. -- No arrests, no motive and no closure for the family of a taxi driver found dead in his burning cab.
"Horrible, horrible, yes, not knowing anything is the worst feeling," says his wife Malibu Wells.
James Wells, age 26, was working his regular over night shift on August 9, when he picked up a fare in Hopewell.
Hanover deputies said that the Marshall taxi cab driver left Hopewell at about 12:30 a.m., headed to Mechanicsville. He was driving a gray 2004 Chevrolet minivan with decals with white lettering on the sides and rear that displayed “Marshall Cab L.L.C.”
James M. Wells, 26, of Hopewell, VA, was operating a gray 2004 Chevrolet minivan for Marshall Cab, where he was employed. The van had decals with white lettering on the sides and rear that displayed “Marshall Cab L.L.C.” Photo of a similar vehicle. (SOURCE: Hanover County Sheriff's Office)
Family members said he was going to drop off a fare at the Chickahominy apartments on Sporting Lane.
"I know he's gone but it's still like I just, we can't get closure yet until we find out what happened," says his father David Wells.
Hanover County Sheriff's Investigators say Wells did arrive to the area of Cold Harbor Road and Stonewall Parkway but was not heard from after leaving the apartment complex.
Hours later his burning cab was discovered on Watt House Road.
It would be August 20 when the medical examiner identified the body that had been found in the cab was James Wells.
Family members say with no arrests its been tough.
"Being a dad and just not knowing you know, the last little while your son was alive, what happened, that makes it tougher for me personally," says David.
James and Malibu were just 10 days away from celebrating their sixth wedding anniversary.
"I would like them to find who would be so cruel to do that to such a, to anybody really let alone my husband, he was a very loving man," says Malibu.
Wells described his son as a loving husband and Navy veteran who was willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. He said his son was working at Marshall Cab Service in Hopewell trying to save up enough money to start a family.
Victoria Volk remembered Wells as a friend from high school who would ensure neighborhood kids would get home safely.
“Jim would walk us home from school. He would offer rides,” Volk said. “He was very gentle and kind and just a very sweet guy that would help anyone out.”
Both say they know someone knows something and that little piece of information could help lead to an arrest in this case.
If you think you saw Wells between Friday, Aug. 8 and Saturday, Aug. 9, call Hanover County Sheriff’s Office at 804-365-6140 or Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.
RELATED:
