Crime and Courts

23-year-old woman sought as suspect in killings of her 3 roommates in Spotsylvania County

Alyssa Jane Venable is sought by authorities and is suspected of killing a woman and two men on White Street Court. Their bodies were found Tuesday night

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Authorities are searching for a 23-year-old woman whom they say killed her three roommates in a "heinous crime" inside a home in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

The victims were Robert John McGuire, 77; Gregory Scott Powell, 60; and Carol Anne Reese, 65, authorities said in an update Thursday.

The woman and two men were found about 10 p.m. Tuesday after deputies were called for a welfare check at their home in the 10500 block of White Street Court in Spotsylvania. All three victims had suffered trauma to their upper bodies, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office said.

Authorities say after an initial investigation, they identified the suspect as the victims' roommate, Alyssa Jane Venable, 23.

Venable is wanted for three counts of second-degree murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, the sheriff's office said.

The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office said they're searching for 23-year-old Alyssa Jane Venable, the suspect in a triple murder.

The sheriff's office said they are withholding some aspects of the crime to not interfere with the ongoing investigation. They have not given information on a possible motive.

Venable was charged last month in a misdemeanor assault and battery. The sheriff's office has not said whether that incident may end up being connected to Tuesday night's triple homicide, but it will be part of the investigation as they try to figure out where Venable is.

Neighbors said the people who lived inside the home were quiet and kept to themselves. They said they believe Venable had moved into the home a month or so ago.

Authorities did not say whether Venable and any of the victims were related.

Anyone with potentially relevant information is asked to contact police.

CORRECTION (June 5, 2024, 3:37 p.m.): An initial version of this story said the victims were found Monday night. They were found Tuesday night.

Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.

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