The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office initially responded to the home after a concerned friend discovered a deceased female and called 911. Upon arrival, deputies found both victims dead at the scene. Investigators have now confirmed that both victims died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Following the autopsy, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death as gunshot wounds. Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) continue their investigation and work around the clock to process evidence and interview potential witnesses. While the relationship between the victims remains under investigation, it has been confirmed that they were living together at the residence.
“We are working diligently to gather all the necessary information to bring clarity to this tragic situation,” said Major Elizabeth Scott. “Our team is following every lead and continuing to process evidence.”
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information about the case to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously via the Spotsylvania Crime Solvers hotline at 1-800-928-5822 or online at Spotsylvania Crime Solvers. The P3tips app is also available for those who wish to submit information anonymously.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details regarding possible suspects or motives.
Investigators are mum about how they died.
On Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., deputies responded to a call from a concerned individual who reported not having heard from a friend. Upon visiting the residence in the 10800 block of Heatherwood Drive, the caller entered the home and discovered a female’s body. They exited and contacted the Spotsylvania County 911 call center.
Deputies arrived at the scene and found both a male and female deceased within the residence. The victims were identified as 61-year-old Charles Childress and 59-year-old Kimberly Newcomb. Authorities confirmed that the pair had been living together, although the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear.
Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) initiated an investigation, conducting interviews and collecting evidence at the scene. Preliminary findings revealed that both victims suffered what law enforcement officers call “fatal injuries,’ and the incident has been classified as a homicide.
More as we have it.
A speeding incident escalated into a high-speed pursuit Wednesday, January 21, 2025, on Interstate 95, according to Virginia State Police spokesman Matthew Demlein.
At 11:33 a.m., a Virginia State Police trooper attempted to stop a silver sedan traveling northbound on I-95 near the 157-mile marker in Prince William County for speeding—clocked at 93 mph in a 60-mph zone. The driver refused to stop, prompting a police pursuit.
During the chase, the sedan struck the mirror of another vehicle, causing minor damage, but no injuries were reported. The pursuit continued onto eastbound Interstate 495 and ultimately ended at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, marking the Maryland state line. At that point, the pursuit was terminated.
Virginia State Police have not released additional details about the driver or whether charges are pending.
Hat tip to Potomac Local News sponsor Mark Worrilow of Fathom Realty—the best darn realtor in Northern Virginia—for tipping us off to this story while on his way to meet a client.
As Arctic air brings frigid temperatures to the region, multiple school districts have announced schedule adjustments for Thursday, January 23, 2025:
- Stafford County Public Schools: 2-hour delay.
- Spotsylvania County Public Schools: 2-hour delay. Twelve-month and essential employees report on time as safety permits. All other employees report two hours late.
- King George County Schools: 2-hour delay.
- Fredericksburg City Public Schools: 2-hour delay. Employees should report two hours late.
Weather Forecast from the National Weather Service
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
The Prince William County Police Department responded to a multi-vehicle crash that initially closed all southbound and northbound lanes of Dumfries Road. Motorists were advised to find alternate routes as police worked to investigate and clear the scene.
Police reported that one lane in each direction had been reopened. Police continue investigating the crash, and drivers are urged to exercise caution while traveling through the area and follow police directions.
The extent of the injuries remains unknown at this time. Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.
Here’s the latest on school closures and delays across the region:
Prince William County
Prince William County Schools (PWCS) will start two hours late on Friday, January 10. All bus routes will also be adjusted by two hours. Parents are encouraged to check with their school for specific bell times and use the Here Comes the Bus app for bus arrival updates. Due to an expected increase in drop-offs, families are asked to be patient with staff and plan for additional time during arrival.
Stafford County
Stafford County Schools will be closed for students on Friday, January 10. All activities and events scheduled for Friday and Saturday are canceled.
- Emergency personnel are expected to report on time.
- 12-month employees will report at 10 a.m. with liberal leave authorized.
- Licensed employees will have a workday starting at 10 a.m.
Free meals will be provided to all Stafford students aged 18 and under at the following locations:
- Kate Waller Barrett Elementary School
- Rocky Run Elementary School
- Edward E. Drew Middle School
Meals will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include take-home breakfasts. Students are welcome regardless of meal eligibility status.
Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg City Public Schools will be closed on Friday, January 10.
- Essential personnel should report at 8 a.m.
- 12-month employees report at 10 a.m.
- Teachers and certificated employees (excluding 12-month employees) will have a flexible workday, either working remotely or at school starting at 10 a.m.
Manassas Park
All Manassas Park City Schools will open two hours late on Friday, January 10.
Spotsylvania County
Friday, January 10, will be a Teacher Work Day for Spotsylvania County Public Schools. No students will report to school, and all student after-school activities are canceled.
King George County
King George County Schools will be closed Friday, January 10, due to adverse road conditions and inclement weather.
- 12-month employees will operate under Code 2 with a report time of 10 a.m.
Fairfax County
All Fairfax County public schools and school offices will open two hours late on Friday, January 10.
- Central offices will open at 10 a.m.
- SACC centers will open at 8 a.m.
Several schools in our region have announced closures and delays for Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions and inclement weather. Here is the latest list of updates:
Prince William County Public Schools
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
The Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) will close all its locations early at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, citing icy road conditions that make travel hazardous. This decision follows a two-day closure of all CRRL locations earlier this week due to heavy snowfall that blanketed the region.
The library system made the announcement at midday on Wednesday, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety of staff and patrons.
CRRL serves a broad region, including the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Westmoreland. With 10 branches and a robust online resource platform, the library offers services ranging from book lending and computer access to educational programs for all ages. The early closure will impact planned events and services scheduled for Wednesday evening. Patrons are encouraged to use the library’s extensive online catalog and digital resources during the closure.
The winter storm that prompted these closures brought significant disruptions across the area, impacting schools, businesses, and local government operations. Library staff have worked to ensure buildings are safe and accessible during this challenging weather. However, today’s icy conditions pose continued challenges for travel in the region.
Prince William County government offices and facilities will be open on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Still, employees can take unscheduled leave or engage in unscheduled telework due to current weather conditions.
While the county remains open for business, residents are encouraged to check for the latest updates on facility-specific operations by visiting pwcva.gov/emergency.
Some county services may be impacted by the weather. Before visiting a county facility, call ahead or check the county’s website.
