Main image: A rural area in Fredericksburg, Va. where three roommates were believed to have been killed in June 2024 (Google Maps); Inset: Alyssa Jane Venable is the woman police believe committed the crimes (Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office)
A manhunt is on for a young woman wanted for the murder of her three roommates, according to authorities in Virginia.
Alyssa Jane Venable, 23, stands accused of three counts of murder in the second degree and one count of use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, according to the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred at a house on White Street Court in a rural area of Fredericksburg, a medium-sized city some 48 miles south of Washington, D.C. Police have not ventured a timeline for when the murders occurred but the crimes were discovered earlier this week.
On Monday night, around 10 p.m., deputies arrived at the house in question to conduct a welfare check, the sheriff’s office said.
“Upon arrival, deputies made entry into the residence to discover three adults (two males and one female) deceased from upper body trauma,” according to a press release issued late Wednesday morning, “After further investigation and evidence collection, it was discovered that a roommate had committed this heinous crime.”
Details are currently scarce in the gruesome case — by design. The sheriff’s office says they are “withholding certain aspects” of the triple murder in order to maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
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As of Tuesday, the victims’ next of kin had not been contacted to deliver the news, so the names of the slain have yet to be released.
According to Spotsylvania General District Court records, Venable has a lengthy criminal history dating back to March 2019 that started with an alleged shoplifting or price-altering offense. Later that month, the original charge was amended to one count of entering property to cause damage. In December 2021, she was charged with petit larceny. In January of this year, she was charged with reckless driving. On May 17, the defendant was charged with assault and battery.
Law&Crime reached out to the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office for additional details and any updates on this story but no response was immediately forthcoming at the time of publication.
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A neighbor who lives nearby recently spoke to Richmond-based CBS affiliate WTVR about the shocking turn of events.
“I’m blown away and when I got the text message, it really was just a picture. To me, looks are deceiving,” Gary Boxley told the TV station. “I don’t know the details. I just know what I read. I don’t think it’s going to change anything as far as I’m not putting up a for-sale sign because of this incident. I’m fully aware this stuff happens everywhere and nobody is immune to it.”
The wanted woman is considered armed and dangerous, authorities say. Sheriff’s deputies are encouraging anyone with any information about Venable’s potential whereabouts to contact law enforcement.
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