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

[JnRyan]

I was just thinking about this case today. Heidi and David might have been married for some time now and have children of their own were it not for this coward's act. And were are apparently in the same spot where we were 5 or 10 years ago.

 

[JnRyan]

I just did a Google Search from the last time I did (Nov 2023) to present. Nothing from media or LE. There are some posts in the Heidi Childs & David Metzler Memorial Group facebook page around Heidi's birthday in Dec, but other than that not much considering the brutality of the crime.

So I'll just call this post a bump.

 

[geojeffrey]

I just did a Google Search from the last time I did (Nov 2023) to present. Nothing from media or LE. There are some posts in the Heidi Childs & David Metzler Memorial Group facebook page around Heidi's birthday in Dec, but other than that not much considering the brutality of the crime.

So I'll just call this post a bump.

The quiet and lack of activity in this case is so frustrating!!!!

Early on, it was reported that DNA from a potential perp was found at the scene...but apparently this lead went no-where since genetic genealogy should have been able to track the perp down if the lead was solid. UGH!!!

 

[dotr]

By Vassia BarbaUS News Reporter APR 6 2024

Killer on the loose 15 years after teen lovebirds found shot dead in forest

On August 26, 2009, Heidi Childs and David Metzler were found murdered in Jefferson National Forest, Virginia, with the killer still unidentified despite ongoing investigations

www.themirror.com

''Heidi, a sophomore at Virginia Tech, had just made the exciting decision to enroll in the university's pre-med program and shared the news with her parents earlier in the day. David, a student in the prestigious College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, planned to take Heidi to a field in Jefferson National Forest for an evening of conversation and music.''

''Despite efforts to gather evidence, including DNA evidence believed to be from the perpetrator and identification of the murder weapon as a .30-.30 rifle, the case remains unsolved for nearly 15 years.''

 

[Justice101]

We drove back from Ohio to Virginia on 460 from a wedding this weekend.

And I think I saw the turn off for the Caldwell Fields area near camp Tuckaway which was what the turn sign off 460 was for

Made me think again about this sad case.

 

[dotr]

$100K Reward in Cold Case of Murdered Teens

Virginia State Police seek new leads in 2009 shooting deaths of Heidi Childs and David Metzler

www.newser.com

By Arden Dier, Newser Staff Posted Sep 5, 2024

 

[PrairieWind]

It is so sad that this case isn't solved yet. I think eventually it will be. It is just such a sad and senseless crime. These two couldn't have possibly had any enemies. So likely just a random crime, thrill kill or something like that.

 

[JnRyan]

Sometimes I wonder about these “unsolved” missing or murder cases. Was a valid tip called in but wasn’t given proper attention by LE?

The most glaring example I usually cite is the missing person case of Tara Grinstead in 2005. The case is covered primarily by the GBI (GA Bureau of Investigation) but local and FBI were also involved. I do find it notable that local LE realized they needed help beyond the capability of their dept early on and called on the GBI. In 2017, LE receives a tip from the former girl friend of one of the two perps and two arrests are made and the GBI says they ‘weren’t on our radar’. And a podcast, “Up And Vanished” was touted by the media as being a major factor in solving the case. (In fact, in Episode 19 of the podcast the podcaster interviews the girl friend and I thought it was poorly handled by the podcaster. That episode and the others are no longer available on audio where you can hear the speakers’ tone of voice that I can find.) Well, it turns out multiple LE involved received their FIRST valid tip in 2007 from a John McCullough about info on the murderer’s accomplice. NONE of the agencies called him back. When asked if he followed up McCullough claimed to have called every year for TEN YEARS – 2007-2016 – to the GBI alone and got no action on their part. LE ALREADY had their badly needed tip 10 years before the arrests. At the trial when asked why GBI kept missing the tip from McCullough agent Gary Rothwell of the GBI, who was the lead agent assigned to the case, stated “We thought that that lead had been addressed by local law enforcement as unfounded and did not follow up.” and later “It is something we should've followed up, but we —we didn't.” Yes, the two suspects WERE on LE’s radar very early on except the “radar” malfunctioned.

The CBS program on the case: Tara Grinstead murder: Did authorities miss leads that could have potentially solved the case over a decade ago?

So, if a VERY high profile case that was covered by national media was bungled by LE multiple times over a 10 year period could THE tip to solving Heidi Childs and David Metzler’s murder already exist in database of LE tips here? And LE has missed the significance of said tip?

 

[Starlight0229]

Sometimes I wonder about these “unsolved” missing or murder cases. Was a valid tip called in but wasn’t given proper attention by LE?

The most glaring example I usually cite is the missing person case of Tara Grinstead in 2005. The case is covered primarily by the GBI (GA Bureau of Investigation) but local and FBI were also involved. I do find it notable that local LE realized they needed help beyond the capability of their dept early on and called on the GBI. In 2017, LE receives a tip from the former girl friend of one of the two perps and two arrests are made and the GBI says they ‘weren’t on our radar’. And a podcast, “Up And Vanished” was touted by the media as being a major factor in solving the case. (In fact, in Episode 19 of the podcast the podcaster interviews the girl friend and I thought it was poorly handled by the podcaster. That episode and the others are no longer available on audio where you can hear the speakers’ tone of voice that I can find.) Well, it turns out multiple LE involved received their FIRST valid tip in 2007 from a John McCullough about info on the murderer’s accomplice. NONE of the agencies called him back. When asked if he followed up McCullough claimed to have called every year for TEN YEARS – 2007-2016 – to the GBI alone and got no action on their part. LE ALREADY had their badly needed tip 10 years before the arrests. At the trial when asked why GBI kept missing the tip from McCullough agent Gary Rothwell of the GBI, who was the lead agent assigned to the case, stated “We thought that that lead had been addressed by local law enforcement as unfounded and did not follow up.” and later “It is something we should've followed up, but we —we didn't.” Yes, the two suspects WERE on LE’s radar very early on except the “radar” malfunctioned.

The CBS program on the case: Tara Grinstead murder: Did authorities miss leads that could have potentially solved the case over a decade ago?

So, if a VERY high profile case that was covered by national media was bungled by LE multiple times over a 10 year period could THE tip to solving Heidi Childs and David Metzler’s murder already exist in database of LE tips here? And LE has missed the significance of said tip?

I wouldn't be surprised if something similar has happened with this case. I've seen lots of comments (I'm not sure if it was in this thread or other discussions about this case) along the lines of "the locals know who did it". I just hope this one is solved soon and it isn't another one where the killer has died before it was solved.

 

[Betty P]

I wouldn't be surprised if something similar has happened with this case. I've seen lots of comments (I'm not sure if it was in this thread or other discussions about this case) along the lines of "the locals know who did it". I just hope this one is solved soon and it isn't another one where the killer has died before it was solved.

I have the same feeling about this case. Some people who are local know who probably did it. There's a $100,000 reward, so hopefully that's an incentive. Still, it wouldn't hurt to have a new cold case investigator go over the files and tips to re-check everything.

As of 2020, they had received 50 new tips.

11 years pass since killings of Virginia Tech students; still no arrest made

The Aware Foundation will erect a billboard in November just outside Blacksburg on Route 460, hoping it will attract new information.

www.wdbj7.com

Then I think of Virginia State Police and the Colonial Parkway Murders...

 

[HokieGirl38]

Hey guys! I live about 20 miles from the crime scene and I’m thinking about doing a podcast on David and Heidi’s case. Does anyone have any interesting facts or theories?

 

[TedMac]

Hey guys! I live about 20 miles from the crime scene and I’m thinking about doing a podcast on David and Heidi’s case. Does anyone have any interesting facts or theories?

Welcome to Websleuths!

 

[rob525]

Hey guys! I live about 20 miles from the crime scene and I’m thinking about doing a podcast on David and Heidi’s case. Does anyone have any interesting facts or theories?

I still like my illegal hunting theory/poaching deer. The penalties for repeated offenses can be quite stiff to include fines / jail time and loss of hunting license. The time of night could indicate someone out hunting with a spotlight / thermal device (both illegal, and this would have been out of the deer season so one could likely also get charged with a hunting/trespassing charge. I wondered if there was a confrontation that led the perpetrator to believe that HC and DM might call the game wardens. Just a theory that I have been thinking about. I know folks question why would someone shoot people over hunting violations, however, nothing in this case makes logical sense and if this was an "inside the box" case it would have likely been solved.

 

[rob525]

So I'm actually of the belief that LE either doesn't know who did it or they don't have any DNA (which they have reported they do have). If they have a suspect and DNA they could easily get DNA from that suspect (such as following him and getting a drink cup or something similar). If they have a suspect then they don't have DNA. If they have DNA then they don't have a suspect. That's my belief anyway.

I wonder if they have DNA and a suspect but the suspect is close enough to the victims or the site that a defense team could explain away why that individuals DNA was there. Although, if it is touch DNA on a shell casing then that would be hard to explain. I wonder what the DNA is? Maybe they found a cup, can etc. that matches the time frame and puts their suspect on site but only proves they were there at about the right time.

 

[courtfollower89]

I’ve spent considerable time cross-referencing law enforcement statements and archived media reports to compile this case overview. Sometimes, fresh eyes are exactly what’s needed to spot a connection that’s been overlooked.
On August 26, 2009, Heidi Childs and David Metzler were murdered at Caldwell Fields in Montgomery County. Discovered the following morning, their case remains a high-priority, active investigation fueled by a joint local, state, and federal task force. Let’s take a look at the facts.

Timeline​

• ~8:00 PM → last seen at apartment
• ~8:25 PM → left in Metzler’s vehicle
• ~8:25–10:00 PM → estimated time of murders
• Next morning → bodies discovered

Confirmed across multiple sources (Collegiate Times, WDBJ, VSP)

---

Scene & positioning​

• Metzler found inside the car
• Childs found outside the car

Confirmed (WSET, multiple reports)

---

Cause of death & weapon​

• Both victims were shot to death
• Weapon: .30 caliber rifle (.30-30)

Confirmed publicly (Sheriff Whitt, 2012)

---

Items taken​

Childs’ purse was taken, containing the following:

• Cell phone
• Camera
• VT ID (Hokie Passport)
• Credit cards
• Lanyard

Confirmed
Items never recovered

---

Forensic evidence​

• DNA evidence exists
• Investigators collected DNA samples from:
  • local residents
  • people who frequent the area

Confirmed

---

Vehicle-related evidence​

Multiple vehicles were reported in the area that night:

~6:00 PM	Green Sedan (Taurus/Intrepid style)	Seen stopping in front of residences on Craig Creek Road.
~8:30 PM	Dark Blue Dodge Caravan	Seen at the Montgomery/Craig County line near a logging site.
After Dark	Dark older model Van/Minivan	Parked at the Caldwell Fields scene.
~10:00 PM	Dark Ford Crown Vic/Chevy Caprice	Seen driving on Craig Creek Road.
~11:00 PM	Red/White Dodge Pickup	Seen on Lee Road (extended cab, dual exhaust, oversized tires).
~Midnight	Gray/Cream Pontiac Bonneville	Early 2000s model parked near the entrance.

• Some vehicles remain unidentified years later.

Confirmed
(Exact relevance of each vehicle = not confirmed)

---

Location characteristics​

• Remote area
• Poor cell service
• Accessible by vehicle
• Known recreational/hangout area
• No camping permits were issued that night

Confirmed

---

Investigation status​

• Over 1,000+ leads followed.
• Continued tips (including ~50 in later years)
• The reward increased to $100,000
• Investigators state:
  • The case is active
  • Specific individuals of interest exist.
  • The community likely holds key information.

Confirmed (multiple press conferences and reports)

My theory, based on the totality of confirmed evidence, is that the offender was a person familiar with the Caldwell Fields area who arrived by vehicle during the narrow window in which the victims were present, most likely after they had already parked and settled in. The offender appears to have approached the vehicle directly, resulting in a rapid escalation that led to Metzler being shot inside the car and Childs being shot after exiting or attempting to flee. The removal of Childs’ purse and its contents, items never recovered, strongly suggests the offender remained at the scene briefly after the shooting and made a deliberate decision to take potential evidence. The presence of a dark van or minivan at Caldwell Fields during the relevant timeframe, combined with the single point of road access and multiple vehicle sightings, indicates that the offender likely entered and exited via Craig Creek Road and may have been observed without being identified. Given that DNA evidence exists, investigators have identified persons of interest, and repeated statements emphasize that individuals in the local community likely have knowledge of what occurred, the case most likely hinges not on the absence of evidence, but on the failure to connect that evidence to a specific individual, suggesting the offender remains within the known investigative scope, potentially recognized but not yet definitively linked.

 

[crazyrabbitlady]

I use to live in the Blacksburg area. Something I don’t think a lot of people outside the area know is there is a gun range around 8 miles away from Caldwell fields down Craig Creek Road. So not sure if there’s any relevance but it’s another option outside of a poacher. Someone traveling back from the gun range may have a lever action rifle with them. Just thinking aloud.

 

[courtfollower89]

I use to live in the Blacksburg area. Something I don’t think a lot of people outside the area know is there is a gun range around 8 miles away from Caldwell fields down Craig Creek Road. So not sure if there’s any relevance but it’s another option outside of a poacher. Someone traveling back from the gun range may have a lever action rifle with them. Just thinking aloud.

I’ve thought about that too. The fact that only Heidi Childs’ belongings were taken makes me wonder if she may have captured something, like a photo of the person. I’ve never seen anything confirming whether David Metzler’s phone was recovered, which also stands out. Law enforcement often withholds key details like this, especially information that only the offender would know, so it’s certain that there are pieces of evidence that haven’t been made public.

 

[crazyrabbitlady]

I’ve thought about that too. The fact that only Heidi Childs’ belongings were taken makes me wonder if she may have captured something, like a photo of the person. I’ve never seen anything confirming whether David Metzler’s phone was recovered, which also stands out. Law enforcement often withholds key details like this, especially information that only the offender would know, so it’s certain that there are pieces of evidence that haven’t been made public.

You know I never thought about her possibly capturing something. The fact that she also had, from my understanding, more injuries….she may of caught something…did they ever say which direction the vehicle was pointed? Like I wonder if th passenger side was towards the field/road.

 

[Justice101]

I use to live in the Blacksburg area. Something I don’t think a lot of people outside the area know is there is a gun range around 8 miles away from Caldwell fields down Craig Creek Road. So not sure if there’s any relevance but it’s another option outside of a poacher. Someone traveling back from the gun range may have a lever action rifle with them. Just thinking aloud.

But wasn't the shooting at night? If so, nobody can shoot at that gun range at night

 

[crazyrabbitlady]

But wasn't the shooting at night? If so, nobody can shoot at that gun range at night

They aren’t “supposed to” but that range isn’t monitored, it’s more of an honor system type place. Here is a link to the website for it, it’s hours are listed as sunrise to sunset…on August 26 per Google sunset that day was at 7:59 pm…it’s estimated they were killed between 8:25-10 pm, so shortly after sunset. Not saying it has any direct correlation but just something that makes me go hmm.

George Washington and Jefferson National Forests : Recreation Site - Blacksburg Shooting Range

Located just outside Blacksburg, this site offers a rifle and pistol range as well as a shotgun and archery range. The rifle and pistol range is designed for firing at stationary paper targets up to 100 meters away. The lanes are sheltered from the sun and each one has a shooting bench that...

www.fs.usda.gov