The Alexandria Police Criminal Investigations Section requests the public’s assistance with these cold case investigations. While some of the cases span decades, detectives are still looking for leads and are interested in talking to anyone with information. If you have information regarding any of the cases, please contact us. The victims of these crimes await justice, and their families, friends and neighbors deserve closure.
We recognize that individuals may have information which may led to the successful resolution of these cases, but may not be aware of its full significance. Other people may have concerns about publicly coming forward. We can address your concerns if you contact APD CIS at 703.746.6819 or send an email to christine.escobar@alexandriava.gov You can also write to the following address with information or other materials: Alexandria Police Department CIS, 3600 Wheeler Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304.
Please contact the Department and let detectives decide whether or not the information you have is useful.
- Donna Sue Oglesby
Date: February 3, 1970
Location: 2700 block of Duke Street
Donna Sue Oglesby, 18, was found deceased, stabbed and sexually assaulted inside an apartment.
- Yvonne Dowdy
Date: August 16, 1970
Location: 1200 block of N. Pitt Street
Yvonne Dowdy, 20, was found deceased in her apartment. Ms. Dowdy died from a stabbing to her chest.
- Michael L. Shankel
Date: September 1, 1971
Location: 2900 block of Duke Street
Michael L. Shankel, 20, was found lying in the street in the 2900 block of Duke Street. He was suffering from a single gunshot wound to the neck. He was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.
- Willie Ben Parker
Date: January 30, 1972
Location: 300 block of North Henry Street
Police responded to a home in the 300 block of N. Henry Street to find Willie Ben Parker, 52, who had been beaten and robbed. Mr. Parker died from blunt force trauma to the head.
- Marion Kelley
Date: December 19, 1972
Location: 100 block of Skyhill Drive
Marion Kelley, 31, was last seen in November 1972. She was found deceased over a month later in an abandoned building, suffering from trauma to the upper body.
- Freddie Paige Painter
Date: July 8, 1973
Location: 50 East Reed Avenue
Freddie Paige Painter, 44, was found in the rear of 50 East Reed Avenue near the railroad tracks suffering from multiple stab wounds. He died from his injuries.
- George E. Huff
Date: July 22, 1974
Location: 500 block of North Henry Street
Officers responded to the report of a shooting in the 500 block of North Henry Street and found George E. Huff, 55, suffering from a gunshot wound. Mr. Huff succumbed to his wounds.
- Lillie May Pickenpack
Date: December 21, 1974
Location: 100 block of Queen Street
Lillie May Pickenpack, 64, was found suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest when police responded to the report of a shooting in the 1100 block of Queen Street. Ms. Pickenpack died from her injuries.
- Donnell Tyrone Adkins
Date: January 31, 1976
Location: 200 block of North Payne Street
Donnell Tyrone Adkins, 34, was found inside his residence suffering from a single gunshot wound to the chest. He succumbed to his injuries before paramedics arrived.
- Debra A. Wright
Date: February 16, 1977
Location: 3800 block of Executive Avenue
Debra A. Wright, 18, was found in the basement of an apartment building in the 3800 block of Executive Avenue. She had been shot multiple times in the upper body and died from her injuries.
- Crystal Lynette Johnson
Date: April 28, 1980
Location: 1400 block of Duke Street (railroad tracks)
Crystal Lynette Johnson’s remains were found by the railroad tracks in the 1400 block of Duke St. Ms. Johnson, 15, had been reported missing in July of 1979. The exact cause of her death is unknown.
- Richard Henry Owens
Date: December 24, 1981
Location: 1200 block of South Washington Street
Police were called to the 1200 block of South Washington St. where they found Richard Henry Owens, 33, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
- Siraj Haque
Date: May 9, 1982
Location: 800 block of North Washington Street
Siraj Haque, 20, was the manager of the Quality Inn in the 800 block of North Washington Street. He was found inside the business with a single gunshot wound to the upper body. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died.
- Edgar Warren Gray
Date: February 25, 1984
Location: 5000 block of Seminary Road
Edgar Warren Gray, 49, was found in the 5000 block of Seminary Road with a single gunshot wound to the upper body. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
- Joseph L. Byron
Date: May 10, 1986
Location: 6000 block of Edsall Road
Joseph Byron, 51, was found deceased inside his condominium in the 6000 block of Edsall Road. Mr. Byron had been beaten to death.
- James Gillis and Aleta Allen
Date: March 16, 1987
Location: 300 block of East Clifford Avenue
Police responded to the 300 block of E. Clifford St. and found James Gillis, 43, and his girlfriend Aleta Allen, 25, deceased inside of a residence. Both victims had been shot in the head.
- Julie B. Walden
Date: June 12, 1988
Location: 400 block of South Columbus Street
Julie B. Walden, 63, was found dead in her apartment in the 400 block of S. Columbus St. by a relative. Ms. Walden had been stabbed multiple times and died from her as a result of her injuries.
- Mohammad Assadi
Date: July 18, 1989
Location: 5500 block of Holmes Run Parkway
Mohammad Assadi, 37, was found deceased inside of his apartment after officers responded to the report of a noise complaint. Mr. Assadi died from gunshot wounds.
- Lisa Colleen Grossman
Date: March 18, 1990
Location: 800 block of South Pickett Street
The body of Lisa Grossman, 29, was found lying in a parking lot in the 800 block of S. Pickett Street. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the head.
- Albert Williams
Date: June 1, 1992
Location: 400 block of North Payne Street
Albert Williams, 28, was found with stab wounds in an alley in the 400 block of N. Peyton Street. Mr. Williams was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
- Jack R. Cowles
Date: December 21, 1992
Location: 3800 block of Russell Road
Jack Cowles, 74, was last seen alive on December 18, 1992. Three days later, he was found deceased inside his residence in the 3000 block of Russell Road. Mr. Cowles had been stabbed multiple times and had severe head injuries.
- James Joseph Miller
Date: July 21, 1993
Location: 4600 Block of Kenmore AvenueJames Joseph Miller, 49, was found lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head when officers responded to a report of a shooting. He was pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital.
- Eric Donald Galloway
Date: November 21, 1993
Location: 1400 block of N. Beauregard StreetEric Galloway, 28, was reported missing by his family on November 18, 1993. His body was found on November 21, 1993, in a wooded area in the 1400 block of N. Beauregard St. Mr. Galloway died from a gunshot wound.
- Curtis Fitzgerald King
Date: August 21, 1994
Location: 6100 block of Edsall Road
Curtis Fitzgerald King, 27, of Alexandria, was found lying in a parking lot of the Edlandria apartment complex suffering from several gunshot wounds. He succumbed to his injuries.
- Daniel Lee Ferguson
Date: December 17, 1994
Location: 1200 block of Queen StreetDaniel Lee Ferguson, 20, was located suffering from a gunshot wound when officers responded to a report of a shooting. Mr. Ferguson succumbed to his wounds at a local hospital. The shots may have been fired from a passing vehicle.
- Owen Byrnes
Date: March 30, 1996
Location: 400 block of Timberbranch ParkwayOwen Byrnes, 29, was last seen on March 28, 1996. His body was found in a storm drain two days later. Mr. Byrnes died from blunt force trauma.
- Alisha "Lisa" Johnson
Date: July 28, 1996
Location: 600 block of Four Mile Road
Alisha “Lisa” Johnson, 20, was last seen in Alexandria in July of 1996, and her remains were found in Faquier County, Virginia on August 4, 1996.
- Mantimiano Rodriguez
Date: September 21, 1997
Location: 1100 block of Madison StreetMantimiano Rodriguez , 27, was found suffering from a stab wound when officers responded for the report of a fight near the Pueblo Viejo restaurant. He was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.
- Oswaldo Villeda
Date: April 12, 1997
Location: 5 East Mason Avenue
Oswaldo Villeda, 28, was inside an apartment when he was stabbed multiple times by an unknown suspect. He was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. - David Curtis Murphy
Date: December 7, 2005
Location: 400 block of North Patrick StreetDavid Curtis Murphy, 37, was outside of his residence when an unidentified man approached and shot him. Mr. Murphy was shot multiple times and succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
- Bethlehem Ayele
Date: October 25, 2006
Location: Commonwealth and Mount Vernon AvenuesBethlehem Ayele, 34, was inside her vehicle and stopped at a traffic light when a suspect approached her vehicle on foot. The suspect fired several shots into the vehicle. Ms. Ayele died from gunshot wounds.
- Darnell Brown
Date: September 22, 2007
Location: 400 block of North Columbus Street
Darnell Brown, 22, of Maryland, was found lying in the street suffering from a gunshot wound. He succumbed to his injuries.
- Jose Eugenio Cruz
Date: October 31, 2007
Location: 3800 block of Executive AvenueJose Eugenio Cruz, 26, was found after being severely beaten by a group of unknown suspects. He died from blunt force trauma.
- Asabech Abayneh
Date: July 4, 2014
Location: 5600 block of Derby Court
Asabech Abayneh, 42, was found deceased inside her apartment with trauma to her upper body.