FedEx Driver Charged in Theft of Packages Intended for Mathews Prosecutor

Melissa Jeanine Gardner accused of stealing items from home of late Commonwealth's Attorney Tina Marie Walls

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A FedEx driver from Mathews County, Virginia has been charged with stealing packages that were intended for delivery to the home of the county's late top prosecutor, Tina Marie Walls. Melissa Jeanine Gardner, 41, is accused of keeping a plastic rolling tote and a label writer that were ordered by Walls and scheduled for delivery to her home on the same day she was found dead with a gunshot wound. Authorities say the thefts occurred after Walls' death and are not related to the manner and cause of her death, which is still pending investigation.

Why it matters

The case highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in investigating crimes while also dealing with the tragic death of a public official. It raises questions about security measures for sensitive deliveries and the need for thorough investigations to determine if there are any connections between seemingly unrelated incidents.

The details

According to court documents, Gardner was a FedEx ground delivery subcontractor who was supposed to drop off the packages at Walls' home. She is accused of keeping the items even after marking them as delivered. Investigators found the stolen items at Gardner's home after pulling her over in her FedEx truck on an unrelated warrant. Gardner denied stealing the packages, claiming she delivered them to a neighbor. She is charged with petit larceny, a misdemeanor.

  • On February 10, 2026, Tina Marie Walls, the Mathews Commonwealth's Attorney, was found dead with a gunshot wound outside her home.
  • On the same day, February 10, 2026, the alleged theft of the packages intended for Walls' home occurred.

The players

Melissa Jeanine Gardner

A 41-year-old FedEx ground delivery subcontractor from Mathews County, Virginia who is accused of stealing packages intended for the home of the late Mathews Commonwealth's Attorney Tina Marie Walls.

Tina Marie Walls

The Mathews Commonwealth's Attorney who was found dead with a gunshot wound outside her home on February 10, 2026.

April Edwards

The Mathews County Sheriff who stated that the evidence indicates the thefts occurred after Walls' death and are not related to the manner and cause of her death.

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What they’re saying

“Evidence indicates these thefts occurred after the death of Mrs. Walls. There is no evidence that indicates this is in any way related to the manner and cause of her death.”

— April Edwards, Mathews County Sheriff (News Release)

What’s next

The State Medical Examiner's Office has not yet revealed the manner of Tina Marie Walls' death, which is still pending investigation.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for robust security measures and thorough investigations to ensure the integrity of sensitive deliveries, especially when they are connected to public officials. It also underscores the importance of separating unrelated incidents to avoid speculation and maintain public trust in law enforcement.