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UPS driver discovers double homicide in Ettrick

Posted at 6:57 PM, Jan 07, 2013
and last updated 2013-01-08 12:52:51-05

UPDATE: Police say man accused of Chesterfield double murder also involved in Dinwiddie shooting

ETTRICK, Va. (WTVR) - Police are investigating a double homicide in a typically quiet neighborhood, in a home where a mother and daughter lived together.

Authorities were called to a home in the 5200 Block of River Road near Beverley Street Monday afternoon.

Chesterfield police Capt. Kevin Smith said two adults who live in the home were found dead.

The UPS driver, who frequently delivered to that residence, noticed the inside main door was open – very unusual. The glass storm door was completely shattered. At first he thought someone had accidentally broken the door.

Police are not naming the victims, pending notification of family, some of which may be out of state.

The older woman who lived there,  approximately 60, was a longtime ranking official for Chesterfield County’s planning department  until her retirement about a year ago, records show.  She had lived there at least 16 years.

Her daughter, approximately 40, was a writer, according to neighbors.

The daughter had some health problems.

Neighbors say they were very quiet with virtually no visitors – no indication of former boyfriends or husbands. Not one whisper of trouble.

A next door neighbor said she heard three shots sometime after 11:00 a.m., one loud shot like it was fired outdoors, followed by two muffled shots. She didn’t call police because she thought it might be a hunter or someone firing their gun. She also said her daughter saw someone prowling around in their back yard the night before.

Neighbor Cary Davis said he clearly heard one shot, but he thinks it was later.

Police are declining to identify the deceased at this time but a preliminary investigation indicates that this was not a random act.