Rome News-Tribune

Investigat­ors keep digging on double homicide

- By Olivia Morley Omorley@rn-t.com

Rome Police Assistant Chief Debbie Burnett said Monday that while investigat­ors had no new informatio­n to release regarding the killing of two local women, an announceme­nt is likely soon.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigat­ion took the lead on the double homicide after the women’s bodies were found May 13 off the bypass near a bridge over the Etowah River.

A GBI public informatio­n officer said there was nothing to report on Memorial

Day.

The bodies of 19-year-old Vanita Nicole Richardson and her 31-year-old sister, Truvenia Clarece Campbell, were found with bags over their heads by DOT workers inspecting the bridge. The cause of death has not been released.

Investigat­ors are still looking for Richardson’s car, which was last seen the night before the bodies were found. The 1997 gold Toyota Corolla has a license plate number of RTJ6295.

The time window for the killings is thought to be between 10:30 p.m. May 12 and 11 a.m. May 13 — the time from when the women were last seen to when their bodies were discovered.

Two men remain in jail on charges related to the case.

Desmond Lavonta Brown, 28, is facing felony drug charges and misdemeano­r obstructio­n charges. He was originally arrested early last week for resisting when investigat­ors served a search warrant on his vehicle. He bonded out but was arrested again on the drug charges.

Another man, 36-yearold Devin Lashawn Watts, was arrested and charged with attempting to conceal a stolen .380 caliber Glock pistol in the closet of an apartment at the Callier Forest Apartments.

Both men are being held without bond.

Anyone with informatio­n can contact the GBI tip line at 1-800-597-8477 (TIPS).

 ?? ?? Desmond Lavonta Brown
Desmond Lavonta Brown
 ?? ?? Savion Charles Watts
Savion Charles Watts

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