Post by Scumhunter on Mar 6, 2016 12:21:54 GMT -5
(Above photo credit: patch.com)
From AMW archives:
In 2006, two women were murdered in northern Virginia. Both lived in Springfield. Both were active senior citizens. And both had the first name Marion.
On November 21, 2006, the body of Marion Newman was found in her North Springfield home. The 72-year-old Marion Newman was beaten and there was no sign of forced entry into her residence. Cops say Marion Newman was last seen on Sunday, November 20, 2006 at the nursing home where her 92-year-old mother lives.
The nursing home is only a few miles from Marion Newman's home, and she was known to be a daily visitor there. According to friends, Newman never missed a meal with her mother. When Marion didn't show up for her dinner one night, her mom immediately knew something was wrong.
But as police would soon realize, the murder of Marion Newman was not unique.
Oddly enough, just a few months earlier, another woman named Marion -- in this case, Marion Marshall, 74 -- had been found murdered and beaten in her home.
Eerie Similarities Between Murder Cases
Marion Marshall liked to cook for the needy and volunteered at her church.
Oddly enough, just a few months earlier, another woman named Marion -- in this case, Marion Marshall, 74 -- had been found murdered and beaten in her home. She lived just a short distance away from Marion Newman, off Bostwick Drive in Springfield, Virginia.
Police say Marshall was last seen shopping on surveillance tape at the Giant Food store in the Bradlick Plaza shopping center on August 13, 2006. Investigators say Marion Marshall loved to make meals and deliver them to needy people in her area, and she also helped out at her local church.
The case stood out for two reasons: the first is that investigators can't come up with a good reason why someone would want to murder this charitable elderly woman; the second is that there are only about 15 murders in Fairfax County, Virginia every single year.
But as police discovered links between Marion Marshall's murder and the subsequent murder of Marion Newman, they realized that this case might be even more unusual than they'd originally thought.
Missing Ring Could Be Key Clue
The murders weren't officially linked until December 6, 2006 through a detailed victimology analysis of both victims. The analysis compares the victims's physical characteristics, behavior, and family dynamics.
Investigators say Marion Marshall and Marion Newman lived in the same style home, a one-story layout with no garage. They both lived alone, were around the same age and were very independent. Police say big ticket items were left behind in the homes so burglary was not a motive, and with no signs of a break-in at either location, the women may have known their attacker. Authorities believe the suspect has some sort of link to the Springifeld area, possibly through a girlfriend or a job.
The same day the murders were linked, police released another key clue to solving these crimes. Investigators divulged that a ring Marion Newman had been wearing was missing. It's a custom-made ring, described as white gold, with a three diamond setting. The ring also sits on a leaf band. Police believe the ring may have been displayed, sold, or traded in the area.
www.amw.com/fugitives/case.cfm?id=42418
www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/591231.html
Thoughts? If you read the other relevant links I'll post below the admin notes, it seems it's still believed both murders were committed by the same suspects. Both Marshall and Newman's murders were on AMW's old website, although the archives link no longer work for me to know if they were aired on the show as well, I got the description from another board. (Generally, the rule is, even if a case (or cases) was only on the website, it still counts as being profiled by a tv show).
This is a case that seems to have everyone stumped, and it's very hard to sleuth on. In addition to the ring, hopefully there's DNA evidence that can one day solve this case as well.
Admin Note #1: According to online articles, Anyone with information on the murders of Marion Newman or Marion Marshall is asked to call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or the police non-emergency number at 703-691-2131.
Admin Note #2: If you have any news-related updates on this case, please contact us here: amwfans.com/thread/1662/website-contact-form
Other relevant links:
patch.com/virginia/lorton/still-no-leads-in-springfield-marion-murders
www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?168249-VA-Marion-Newman-amp-Marion-Marshall-murdered-separately-in-Springfield-2006
www.truecrimediary.com/index.cfm?page=cases&id=177
