http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/new..._in_investigation_into_students_deaths/24442/
Christiansburg Nearly six months after Lynchburg-area teens Heidi Childs and David Metzler were found dead in Montgomery County, county officials again asked the public for any information available on the double homicide.
At a news conference this morning, Sheriff Tommy Whitt and lead investigator Dennis Rakes said a task force of local, state and federal agencies has followed up on more than 1,000 leads related to the incident.
We are still strongly committed to this (investigation), Whitt said. Were just looking for fresh information.
Authorities said the reward for information leading to arrests in the case now totals $70,000.
Childs, of Forest, and Metzler, of Campbell County, both students at Virginia Tech, were found dead the morning of Aug. 27 in the Caldwell Fields area of the Jefferson National Forest, off of Craig Creek Road.
The area is not far from Montgomery Countys intersection with Giles and Craig counties.
Rakes said the evidence shows the suspect or suspects are very familiar with that area.
Rakes said when considering a suspect or person of interest to bring to authorities attention, people should also keep in mind any behavioral changes that may have occurred around the time of the homicides.
Someone may have noticed that
a person became sick, they may have been irritable, he said, adding increased or decreased drug or alcohol use around that time could be an indicator that something was amiss.
Also, he said, a suspect may be paying particular attention to the case, keeping newspaper clippings or paying close attention when information regarding the homicides is broadcast.
Rakes said those factors could point to a suspect, but authorities are mostly looking for a geographic connection.
Even if, for instance, someone knows a family member was in the area, but believes they had nothing to do with the homicides, Rakes said they should alert authorities.
If they were in that area, we still want to talk to them, Rakes said.
Officials arent classifying the case as cold, despite the time that has passed, Whitt said.
Im not saying this case has stalemated, because it hasnt, Whitt said. We just need a couple more pieces of the puzzle to put this thing together.