Found Deceased VA - Emily Lu, 72, Lorton, 3 Jun 2021 *Arrest*

[hollye]

Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau continue to investigate the disappearance of seventy-two-year-old Emily Lu. Officers responded to Lu’s home in the 9200 block of Davis Lane in Lorton on Friday June 4 at 2:26 p.m. after her employer requested a welfare check when she did not show up for work. Lu’s car was discovered in the driveway with groceries recently purchased from a nearby store.

Detectives Suspect Foul Play in Disappearance of Lorton Woman

 

[hollye]

I live very close to where Emily went missing and frequent the store that she had been at prior to her disappearance. I received a tweet about her disappearance on that day, but nothing until today. I had no idea that there were suspicious circumstances.

 

[hollye]

Also, the reports indicate that she went missing from her home on Davis Lane, but it is actually Davis Drive.

 

[Unsolved]

Wonder what this means from the missing person poster:
"She is considered endangered due to mental and/or physical health concerns."

Mental concerns - did she have some memory problems or self harm concerns? And/or physical concerns as in trouble walking, etc.? (though I doubt this due to the video from the store where she seemed fine in that regard, even vibrant JMO).

She bought quite a few things at the grocery, including milk. I'm sure she would want to get that milk from the car inside to the 'fridge so I'm thinking whatever happened probably happened right after she got home. I have a bad feeling about this one for sure. I sure hope she wasn't followed home to become a victim of a hate crime. Ugh.

 

[YaYa_521]

Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau continue to investigate the disappearance of seventy-two-year-old Emily Lu. Officers responded to Lu’s home in the 9200 block of Davis Lane in Lorton on Friday June 4 at 2:26 p.m. after her employer requested a welfare check when she did not show up for work. Lu’s car was discovered in the driveway with groceries recently purchased from a nearby store.

Detectives Suspect Foul Play in Disappearance of Lorton Woman

TY for starting a thread for Emily. This is so sad to read. I wonder if perhaps she interrupted a burglary? If that's not the case, then I think it's highly likely she was targeted for either a hate crime or a sexually motivated crime. Ugh! Either way this doesn't sound good. It's already been 11 days since she was last seen. Get them neighbors talking! Someone around there has to know something or they know someone who does. I wonder if anyone nearby recently hired any day-laborers/handypersons to do odd jobs for them?

From link above SBBM

Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. While searching Lu’s home, detectives uncovered evidence suggesting she may have been harmed inside. Based on these preliminary investigative findings, her absence from work and the unusual lack of response to family members, detectives believe she is missing under suspicious circumstances.

SNIP

This remains an active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact our Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 6. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text – Type “FCCS” plus tip to 847411, and by web – Click HERE. Download our Mobile tip411 App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 dollars if their information leads to an arrest.

 

[YaYa_521]

The 9200 block of Davis Drive is the entrance of Southpointe Estates from Ox Road (Hwy 123). Ox Road looks like it's a busy road. She could have been targeted by someone who followed her home from Aldi. Seems like Southpointe Estates is a very nice neighborhood. All of the lawns appear to be well-manicured. It's beautiful, especially with all of the wooded areas in between the homes. Hopefully those areas were thoroughly searched.

The Google Maps view shows someone who works for or owns a landscaping company. I'd imagine many of the homeowners contract out their lawncare work and/or home improvement projects. I hope LE has been contacting employees of the companies who were in the area on the day Emily went missing to see if any of them saw or heard anything unusual. Perhaps they might end up talking to someone who was involved with her disappearance, too.

 

[hollye]

The 9200 block of Davis Drive is the entrance of Southpointe Estates from Ox Road (Hwy 123). Ox Road looks like it's a busy road. She could have been targeted by someone who followed her home from Aldi. Seems like Southpointe Estates is a very nice neighborhood. All of the lawns appear to be well-manicured. It's beautiful, especially with all of the wooded areas in between the homes. Hopefully those areas were thoroughly searched.

The Google Maps view shows someone who works for or owns a landscaping company. I'd imagine many of the homeowners contract out their lawncare work and/or home improvement projects. I hope LE has been contacting employees of the companies who were in the area on the day Emily went missing to see if any of them saw or heard anything unusual. Perhaps they might end up talking to someone who was involved with her disappearance, too.

Ox Road is a large main. It runs from the Potomac River (very nice prestigious area) through George Mason University campus and ends just across the Occoquan River in a not all that great area in Prince William County. Emily’s neighborhood is closer to the southern end. The Aldi is just across the river in Prince William County, in a run down shopping center, near the intersection of 123 (Ox Road/Gordon Blvd) and Route 1, another major road that runs the East Coast. An intersection of I-95 is also very close.

All of this is to say that it is very possible that someone followed her home from Aldi, especially if she has an upscale car. I, however, am leaning more toward her walking in on a burglary. We have had a large amount of breakins of homes & cars this year, in the area. There have also been a couple of murders, recently, but they are in no way related.

On an aside, I have also come to discover that Emily likely works for the same agency as I. If I am correct, then that may also be something to look into, as we provide in-home care for the elderly. If a family member were unhappy with the care being provided, it would not take much to figure out where she lives.

 

[hollye]

Police Suspect Foul Play After Woman, Last Seen Grocery Shopping, Disappears From Lorton
Police Suspect Foul Play After Woman, Last Seen Grocery Shopping, Disappears From Lorton

 

[hollye]

News Conference

Log into Facebook

A reporter asked about pictures on the wall that had been knocked off or askew.

Another asked if Emily had mentioned being fearful or concerned about any of the people she works with.

Another mentioned renters that she has had in the home.

The response for all was that it was all part of the investigation and would not comment.

 

[rainynights]

$20K Reward Offered in Northern Virginia Woman's Disappearance

The family of a 72-year-old woman who vanished from her home in Lorton, Virginia, pleaded for her safety Tuesday as police announced a $20,000 reward for information in her disappearance.

Emily Lu was last seen on June 3 walking out of an Aldi grocery store with her items. She was reported missing the next day after she didn't show up to her job caring for seniors.

[...]

Fairfax County Police Major Ed O'Carroll said the homicide unit is also investigating and the police department has done an extensive search and rescue effort in the immediate area and beyond.

[...]

O'Carrol urged anyone with information to call Crime Solvers anonymously at 1-866-411-8477. People can also anonymously text “FCCS” plus their tip to 847411. Crime Solvers is offering a $20,000 reward.

"Please keep an eye out for my mother Emily Lu. We're extremely worried about her. We want her back home safe. We want to tell her we love her in person," Lu's daughter said.

She said her mother has been a resident of the community for 30 years and loves living in the area. During the pandemic, Lu took on a job caring for seniors in her home.

[...]

Reward Offered for Information Related to Missing Person, Emily Lu

https://twitter.com/FairfaxCountyPD/status/1404880031894183937

 

[slowpoke]

“Investigators say they are looking for previous renters of Lu's home and combing through digital evidence for information that could help find Lu.”

"We want her home safe": Family, police ask for public's help locating missing Lorton woman

I wonder if there had been issues with the previous renters? Were they renting while she was living there, as in renting a room, or did they rent the whole house? If renting part of the house while she was living there, too, she could have had valuables they knew about. And maybe they still had a working key to let themselves in (any sign of breaking in: busted window, etc?) At least, maybe that’s what investigators are checking out as a possibility. Just thoughts, and MOO.

It looks like the homes are not that close together in proximity and has a lot of trees all around, so I wonder how much neighbors will know. MOO

 

[modesty blaise]

Her car was still there so the perp had his/her own transportation i assume.

 

[Unsolved]

Her car was still there so the perp had his/her own transportation i assume.

Just thinking out loud here - what if she came home and a familiar car was in the drive (former renter?). JMO but she probably would have gone on in, while an unfamiliar car might have caused a call to LE to check it out. Then a confrontation occurred and she was removed by that car?

 

[swanniee11]

“Investigators say they are looking for previous renters of Lu's home and combing through digital evidence for information that could help find Lu.”

"We want her home safe": Family, police ask for public's help locating missing Lorton woman

I wonder if there had been issues with the previous renters? Were they renting while she was living there, as in renting a room, or did they rent the whole house? If renting part of the house while she was living there, too, she could have had valuables they knew about. And maybe they still had a working key to let themselves in (any sign of breaking in: busted window, etc?) At least, maybe that’s what investigators are checking out as a possibility. Just thoughts, and MOO.

It looks like the homes are not that close together in proximity and has a lot of trees all around, so I wonder how much neighbors will know. MOO

This says that groceries she purchased were still in the car. Could this have started in the driveway? I wonder if there were any purchases in her home. When I shop I at least grab a few bags to walk in with. Very disturbing. IMO.

 

[rainynights]

STILL MISSING: Emily Lu’s family is pleading for anyone w/info to call police. Lu was last seen grocery shopping in Woodbridge. Detectives believe she may be in danger & suspect foul play after her car was found in driveway w/recently purchased groceries.



https://twitter.com/AnnieYuTV/status/1405165091226521609

Missing Virginia woman, foul play suspected | wusa9.com

[...]

Neighbors described Lu as a woman who was quiet and would normally keep to herself. She has lived in the neighborhood for almost 30 years and would have various tenants over the years, according to neighbors. As of Tuesday afternoon, no one was home nor were there signs of law enforcement searching the area.

Ed O'Carroll of the Fairfax County Police Department confirmed she wasn't the only person living in her home at the time of her disappearance, but couldn't elaborate on how many people were living there. He said police have spoken to them and are now looking to speak with previous occupants.

[...]

"We're not ruling anything out and we know we have a lot more people to talk to," he said. "All the leads we've investigated, they tell us a slightly different story that she may have not left voluntarily and that's why we need the community's help."

[...]

A supervisor at her job, Home Instead Senior Care in Annandale, declined to do an interview but expressed how difficult it has been for staff members.

[...]

Anyone with information is asked to contact our Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 6. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), by text – Type “FCCS” plus tip to 847411, and by web – Click HERE. Download our Mobile tip411 App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 dollars if their information leads to an arrest.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 6. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone by calling 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477).

 

[slowpoke]

Ed O'Carroll of the Fairfax County Police Department confirmed she wasn't the only person living in her home at the time of her disappearance, but couldn't elaborate on how many people were living there. He said police have spoken to them and are now looking to speak with previous occupants.

(bolded by me)

So, she had current renters living with her at her home? Or family members? Where were these current people who lived with her at the time of her disappearance?

 

[slowpoke]

“Officers visited her home in the 9200 block of Davis Lane and found her car on the driveway with fresh groceries inside, but they found no sign of forced entry into the home, police said.”

Was she in the habit of locking her house door when leaving the house? Or did someone follow her in as she started taking back and forth trips from the car to the house with the groceries? Or was someone already in the house?

“Police said they think Lu arrived home after shopping at the Aldi at Gordon Plaza but never finished taking her groceries inside.”

@swanniee11 , I think you are right that some of the groceries may have made it into the house based on the wording above, “never finished”, which implies she started bringing in groceries.

MOO

https://www.washingtonpost.com/loca...3e6c1c-cdfd-11eb-8014-2f3926ca24d9_story.html

 

[charminglane]

Did a renter have difficulty paying rent due to Covid and Emily was trying to collect/evict?

 

[swanniee11]

sounds like something happened immediately after entering her home. IMO

 

[swanniee11]

Timeline: Thursday marks two weeks since suspicious disappearance of Fairfax County woman
"We want to talk to all of those previous occupants that lived there. They may have a piece of information that could assist us," said said Major O'Carroll. "But we do think the facts and circumstances probably ties into a relatively short window, probably not deep into Ms. Lu's past."