VA VA - David Metzler, 19, & Heidi Childs, 18, fatally shot, Montgomery Co, 26 Aug 2009

[Pettibon Junction]

There is a shooting range nearby, so a couple of gunshots, even after dark, wouldn't have necessarily attracted immediate suspicion. The killer, I'm sure, not only knew this but was counting on it. He more than likely knew the area well enough to feel comfortable taking the risks that he did.

I don't see much evidence to support there being more than one suspect and the fact that David's valuables were left untouched suggests that the motive wasn't something as prosaic as robbery. Heidi's purse was taken but her credit cards were never used and expensive items, such as the camera, were never recovered. This screams that these murders were pathological in nature and the killer's purpose in taking the purse was decidedly totemic.

The shooting range was investigated as a possible lead but nothing concrete was found. This doesn't mean it's not significant. The rifle used in these murders was of a caliber popular with target shooters and the range was public, presumably open to anyone. One can easily envision a killer who occasionally pops in to squeeze off a few rounds after work or something and drives past Caldwell Field on his way home, taking notice of the cars parked there, triggering his resentment, and feeding the fantasies that gradually built until being put into practice that night.

Of course, all this is just one person's opinion.

 

[JohnTate90210]

I just looked to see where the shooting range is and it's not particularly close. From Route 460, you turn onto Craig's Creek Road and drive a quarter mile. Then you turn left and drive a short distance to the range.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=73593&actid=106

The murder site is a good eight miles down Craig's Creek Road. Is there another range in the area?

 

[geojeffrey]

What do you guys think about the overall silence from the police? Do you think that is a good sign that they have a suspect and clues?

 

[TedMac]

It is hard to gauge what they may or may not have. They have not publicly named a POI. I think it is safe to say that if they do have an unamed suspect, they don't have enough evidence to bring charges.

 

[geojeffrey]

The DNA evidence is a God send. I just hope this perp is caught before he acts again.....


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[JohnTate90210]

The fact they have DNA kinda tells me they have no suspect. If they did, they would have managed to grab some of his DNA by now for comparison. Then there's the lesser possibility of ballistics and tire tracks.

 

[:+:MrTT:+:]

What about this one?

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recreation/horseriding-camping/recarea/?recid=73877&actid=104

Directions: From Blacksburg, VA: Follow US 460 West for 3 miles. Turn left across from SR 621 (Craig Creek Road) into Pandapas Pond Day Use Area. Horse and bike parking is located near the entrance. Continue to the lower parking area to access Pandapas Pond for hiking and fishing.

Any locals familiar with the distances?

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recarea/?recid=73631
Milton and George Fields are avaliable by reservation only. They can be rented by the day, from noon til noon of the next day. ...

Did the LEOS check and see if any reservations were made in advance sometime before the murders or after??

Not implying someone made reservations to go and kill someone.

 

[JohnTate90210]

From Blacksburg, you go west on Route 460 to the intersection with Craig's Creek Road. If you turn left, you're at Pandapas Pond. If you turn right, you go a very short distance to the shooting range. If you go much further (8 miles, give or take) you're at the murder site. So, Pandapas is 8 or so miles from the murder site.

I've been to Padapas once. Nice pond with a trail around it. Various other hiking trails. Horseback riding, too. Unless it's gated off early, it would have been a much more handy (and safe) place for Heidi and David to visit. Caldwell Fields is rather remote, it seems to me.

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=89328

 

[AnnaGrace]

What do you guys think about the overall silence from the police? Do you think that is a good sign that they have a suspect and clues?

At one point I thought the silence was perhaps a sign that there was significant evidence and that an arrest was forthcoming. After all the time that's passed, I think LE had persons of interest that they felt may be suspects. I think these were likely all cleared. Now I think the investigation is at a standstill due to lack of leads. I would love to be able to say I think they're closer to an arrest but I personally don't feel that they are. I think the case will be similar to the Morgan Harrington case. He will be caught in another crime and DNA will match. This of course is all JMO.

 

[JohnTate90210]

August 26, 2009 was a Wednesday. One news story places the time of the murders between 8:25 p.m. and 10 p.m.

http://www.wsls.com/story/20856445/heidi-childs-dad-says-dna-evidence-is-huge

I can't imagine that is a high traffic road. If the killer regularly took that route in the evening, did they suddenly change their routine? Or were they simply not one of the suspect cars? Did they sell their vehicle right after the murders? How about their rifle?

It appears to be a rather remote location and it was on a weeknight. Is that a clue? Does it seem more likely to be somebody that traveled the road regularly?

Classes at Virginia Tech began two days earlier on August 24. Does it raise the possibility the killer was a student since the town's population would have jumped dramatically? Or was it a local that knew there was more a chance of students parking/partying at Caldwell Fields?

http://www.registrar.vt.edu/dates_deadlines/academic_calendar/2009-2010.html

 

[JohnTate90210]

I just looked up crime statistics for Blacksburg, which is the nearest town:

http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Blacksburg-Virginia.html

No murders for the year (Heidi and David were NOT in town). Actually none from 2007 through 2012.

There was a peak in rapes in 2009 and a lot in 2010 (that school year would cover 2009-2010):
2007 - 8
2008 - 8
2009 - 15
2010 - 14
2011 - 9
2012 - 12

Robberies didn't change any at the time. Assaults were actually down a bit. Burglaries leaped, though:

Burglaries:
2007 - 120
2008 - 127
2009 - 165
2010 - 117
2011 - 84
2012 - 80

Thefts were flat in 2009 but jumped in 2010 and then fell again:
2007 - 520
2008 - 503
2009 - 507
2010 - 547
2011 - 490
2012 - 377

Auto thefts:
2007 - 16
2008 - 26
2009 - 28
2010 - 23
2011 - 17
2012 - 18

Arson:
2007 - 5
2008 - 8
2009 - 2
2010 - 5
2011 - 3
2012 - 7

Nearby Christiansburg basically shows no jumps in 2009-2010. Their rape peak was 2008. Same with their burglaries and theft. Their arson's rose in 2009 and peaked in 2010 before falling again.

Radford is also nearby and has a sizable college. They had a spike in rapes in 2009. Burglaries jumped in 2008-2009.

I think it's interesting there was a peak in rapes in Blacksburg in 2009-2010. Especially since we know there was DNA at the Caldwell Fields crime scene (but we just don't know if it was from a rape). It may be of interest that burglaries and thefts were up. Wouldn't it be interesting to know about any DNA matches from the rapes? Was there somebody living in town around 2009-2010 that moved on elsewhere?

 

[JohnTate90210]

This article states the DNA came from fingerprints:

http://www.collegiatetimes.com/news/article_bfc6ed9c-2e4e-11e4-a885-001a4bcf6878.html

The same article describes the murders as "brutal" and "ugly." The following article says an official used those same two words:

http://www.truecrimereport.com/2009/08/a_mysterious_double_homicide_i.php

A search of the Virginia sex offenders database for the area shows nearly 90 registered offenders. The list was likely a bit different in 2009 than today as some moved away and others arrived, but it still shows about how many are in the area, such as this one that moved to town the same month as the murders:

http://www.collegiatetimes.com/news...cle_00fc2588-7433-5dcc-b81e-eeab2fe41025.html

 

[AnnaGrace]

I just looked up crime statistics for Blacksburg, which is the nearest town:

http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Blacksburg-Virginia.html

No murders for the year (Heidi and David were NOT in town). Actually none from 2007 through 2012.

There was a peak in rapes in 2009 and a lot in 2010 (that school year would cover 2009-2010):
2007 - 8
2008 - 8
2009 - 15
2010 - 14
2011 - 9
2012 - 12

Robberies didn't change any at the time. Assaults were actually down a bit. Burglaries leaped, though:

Burglaries:
2007 - 120
2008 - 127
2009 - 165
2010 - 117
2011 - 84
2012 - 80

Thefts were flat in 2009 but jumped in 2010 and then fell again:
2007 - 520
2008 - 503
2009 - 507
2010 - 547
2011 - 490
2012 - 377

Auto thefts:
2007 - 16
2008 - 26
2009 - 28
2010 - 23
2011 - 17
2012 - 18

Arson:
2007 - 5
2008 - 8
2009 - 2
2010 - 5
2011 - 3
2012 - 7

Nearby Christiansburg basically shows no jumps in 2009-2010. Their rape peak was 2008. Same with their burglaries and theft. Their arson's rose in 2009 and peaked in 2010 before falling again.

Radford is also nearby and has a sizable college. They had a spike in rapes in 2009. Burglaries jumped in 2008-2009.

I think it's interesting there was a peak in rapes in Blacksburg in 2009-2010. Especially since we know there was DNA at the Caldwell Fields crime scene (but we just don't know if it was from a rape). It may be of interest that burglaries and thefts were up. Wouldn't it be interesting to know about any DNA matches from the rapes? Was there somebody living in town around 2009-2010 that moved on elsewhere?

Thank you for the statistics. It would be very interesting to know about DNA matches from the rapes. I would think though, that none of them matched DNA found at Heidi and David's crime scene, since nothing has been stated by LE, but, you never know. As we've discussed, this has been a pretty hushed case. Also, the spikes in burglaries, thefts and rapes in 2009 and 2010 are of interest, but yet there are no violent attacks or murders. Do you know what town Caldwell Fields is in, since it isn't in Blacksburg. Newport maybe?

 

[JohnTate90210]

Blacksburg is the only town of any size near Caldwell Fields. The crime site is about as close to it as Newport which is so small I can't find a population count. If you continue to the northeast from Caldwell, you'll get to New Castle with a population of 153. Blacksburg has 43,609 people which includes 31,205 college students.

 

[JohnTate90210]

Some driving times to Caldwell Fields based roughly on the middle of the towns. I'll include the 2010 census figures (the previous post was more recent populations, so the numbers vary a bit).

Newport with 1,872 people is 11 miles and 19 minutes.
Blacksburg with 42,620 people is 15 miles and 27 minutes. (birthplace of Henry Lee Lucas)
Catawba with 1,230 people is 17 miles and 31 minutes.
Christiansburg with 21,041 people is 23 miles and 33 minutes.
New Castle with 153 people is 19 miles and 34 minutes. (looks bigger in satellite pics, though)
Pearisburg with 2,786 people is 27 miles and 36 minutes. (home of killer Randall Lee Smith)
Narrows with 2,029 people is 31 miles and 41 minutes.
Radford with 16,408 is 28 miles and 42 minutes. (location of Radford University and Radford Army Ammunition Plant)
Salem with 24,802 is 27 miles and 43 minutes.
Elliston with 902 people is 35 miles and 46 minutes.
Roanoke with 97,032 is 33 miles and 50 minutes. (brief childhood home of Mark David Chapman)

 

[JohnTate90210]

I put together a map with the previous information and a little bit more. Click on any marker for information.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=ziSiFz7zUeT8.k2WuKmZqXt6g

 

[:+:MrTT:+:]

I put together a map with the previous information and a little bit more. Click on any marker for information.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=ziSiFz7zUeT8.k2WuKmZqXt6g

On your map. From the murder site. If you take that first road that leads up and towards the east. You come to a T shape road "T"
There are three trucks parked there. Is this a general parking area? Is it for hunters? Or perhaps there there for a business or what not........You have to zoom in to almost maximun as you follow the trail if you want to see the trucks parked there.

And your visual aids have been outstanding. Especially your maps of the area. Very much appreciated.

 

[JohnTate90210]

Thanks for the kind words! I see where you're talking about. I've been to some areas to hike where hunters apparently own a small piece of property for a camper. Going on up that road, I see another similar spot and one vehicle does appear to be one of those campers with a fold-out section. Continue up that road until just past the power lines.

A few miles away, I one went on a really horrible slick muddy road. There were multiple sites with small campers and I don't think hunting season was open. I'd tend to guess hunters just leave them there year round, which makes you wonder about that road and whether they're sometimes used for partying.

 

[AnnaGrace]

Thanks for the kind words! I see where you're talking about. I've been to some areas to hike where hunters apparently own a small piece of property for a camper. Going on up that road, I see another similar spot and one vehicle does appear to be one of those campers with a fold-out section. Continue up that road until just past the power lines.

A few miles away, I one went on a really horrible slick muddy road. There were multiple sites with small campers and I don't think hunting season was open. I'd tend to guess hunters just leave them there year round, which makes you wonder about that road and whether they're sometimes used for partying.

BBM

I've wondered about exactly that kind of scenario. Maybe the killer camped and lived in an area like that. Some drifter types don't have a home and live, even in tents, in wooded areas and live off the land, so to speak. If he stayed there for awhile, maybe that would explain how he was familiar with the land and knew that no one was around to hear gunshots. He also probably knew there were no residences close enough to hear anything. Again, I would like to know how far away Heidi's body was from David and the vehicle. Not saying he took her to his campsite, but possibly into a wooded area, where if someone happened to drive up to the parking area, they wouldn't be seen or heard. Just grasping at straws here. I can't let go of this case. I would so love to see it solved.

I agree with MrTT, JohnTate you do wonderful maps and visuals of the area. I appreciate that and your research on the case.

 

[JohnTate90210]

[/B]

BBM

I've wondered about exactly that kind of scenario. Maybe the killer camped and lived in an area like that. Some drifter types don't have a home and live, even in tents, in wooded areas and live off the land, so to speak. If he stayed there for awhile, maybe that would explain how he was familiar with the land and knew that no one was around to hear gunshots. He also probably knew there were no residences close enough to hear anything. Again, I would like to know how far away Heidi's body was from David and the vehicle. Not saying he took her to his campsite, but possibly into a wooded area, where if someone happened to drive up to the parking area, they wouldn't be seen or heard. Just grasping at straws here. I can't let go of this case. I would so love to see it solved.

I agree with MrTT, JohnTate you do wonderful maps and visuals of the area. I appreciate that and your research on the case.

Thanks!

It would be interesting to know Heidi's location. From the "wanted" car list it sounds like there were possibly other cars that visited the lot that evening and didn't report seeing anything odd. If a body was laying in plain view they you'd think somebody would've reported it. But then again, a morning dog walker did spot a problem. I'd like to know where the car was parked in the lot, the angle and the location of Heidi. Perhaps the morning walker took a lap through the lot to enjoy the view of the fields?