Decade-Old Investigation Into Murdered Virginia Tech Students Reopened

Two teens were murdered in a Virginia parking lot in 2009. Now, a decade later, the FBI is hoping to renew the search for their killer.

The FBI has announced they will be contributing $28,000 to the search for more information on the deaths of Heidi Childs and David Metzler, bringing the total potential reward up to $100,000, according to ABC News. The teens were found shot to death by a man walking his dog on August 27, 2009. No arrests were ever made in connection to the killing. 

Lt. Colonel Tim Lyon, director of the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, announced the revitalized pursuit of a murderer on August 23 as the 10-year anniversary of the deaths approached.

"We have new leads still coming in that we are pursuing," Lyon said, according to ABC News. "We have specific individuals we are interested in. We have DNA, and are working to take advantage of 10 years-worth of technological and scientific advancements in DNA testing and criminal databases. But we still need the public’s help to fit all of these pieces and parts together."

“It’s time to come forward and let these families find some sense of peace. Heidi’s parents and siblings, David’s parents and siblings, their friends have all been held hostage long enough,” Lyon continued.

Special Agent in Charge David W. Archey of the FBI Richmond Field Office added, "The FBI is committed to devoting investigative resources to this investigation," according to NBC 12 of Richmond, Virginia.

The couple, who both attended Virginia Tech, had met at a church group. They had driven together to Caldwell Fields in Montgomery County, Virginia and were shot and killed in the parking lot of Jefferson National Forest sometime between 8:25 p.m. and 10 p.m. on August 26, police said. Investigators believe that Metzler was shot through a driver’s-side window. Childs is believed to have been killed immediately after, as she ran from the vehicle.

Many of Childs' possessions, including her purse, credit cards, phone, college ID, and camera, were taken from the seen of the crime and were never located. 

One year after the shooting, investigators said they had been following over 1,100 leads, according to The Roanoke Times. One year after that, the number of tips had gone up to 1,300. In 2012, investigators said that they have DNA evidence from the crime scene and that the murder weapon was a .30 caliber rifle.

Susan Metzler, David's mother, is now pleading for anyone with a potential lead to come forward.

"There is someone out there who knows something," said Susan, according to ABC News. "We plead with you to come forward."

Steve Webb, who lives in a house neighboring where the slain teens were found, remains stunned by the pursuit of the killer.

“It’s kind of like one of those cold case things you see on TV,” Webb said, according to The Roanoke Times.

Tips can be submitted anonymously at a new website: vspunsolved.com. They can also be submitted by phone at 540-375-9589.