Brian George Sayrs Jr. admitted to killing Emily Lu. (Mugshot from the Fairfax County Police Department; victim tribute screenshot from Washington’s NBC affiliate WRC-TV)
A man who led police to the body of his missing 72-year-old landlord in the woods of northern Virginia after authorities spent weeks searching has pleaded guilty to murder in the case.
Brian George Sayrs Jr., 27, pleaded on Monday to charges of second-degree murder and concealing a body in the death of Emily Lu, who was reported missing when she didn’t show up to work caring for seniors in June 2021. Sayres, who rented a room in Lu’s home, faces up to 32 years in prison when he’s set to be sentenced on Jan. 12.
In a statement, Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano said he hoped the guilty verdict “provides a measure of healing for her family and loved ones.”
“To this day, we still don’t know exactly how she was killed, but we know that the individual who was responsible will face accountability for his actions,” he said.
