A woman accused of murdering three people she shared a house with in Spotsylvania County has been apprehended.
Alyssa Jane Venable, 23, was captured after a vehicle pursuit on Interstate 86 in Steuben County, New York, according to a release from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office.
The U.S. Marshals, Spotsylvania authorities and the New York State Police all played a role in locating Venable, who is accused of shooting and fatally wounding Robert John McGuire, 77, Gregory Scott Powell, 60 and Carol Anne Reese, 65, all of whom lived with her in a home in the 10500 block of White Street Court off of Benchmark Road.
The pursuit occurred at approximately 5:45 p.m. Thursday when New York state troopers observed a gray 2009 Honda Civic matching the description of Venable’s vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.
Venable refused to stop and took authorities on a pursuit with speeds reaching 100 miles per hour. At some point during the pursuit, a tire deflation device was used, which caused Venable’s vehicle to crash. She was taken into custody without further incident and transported to a local hospital as a precaution.
No one was injured during the pursuit. New York State Police will obtain a fugitive warrant for Venable and arrangements for extradition to Virginia are forthcoming. Spotsylvania detectives are working closely with the New York State Police on evidence recovery.
Spotsylvania Sheriff Roger Harris thanked the New York State Police for executing the arrest of Venable, whom authorities believed may have shaved her head to avoid recognition.
Harris’ deputies responded to the White Street Court address to conduct a welfare check at approximately 10 p.m.Tuesday. After entering the residence, they found the bodies of the three victims.
After evidence was collected, investigators came to believe Venable was the perpetrator. She is facing three charges of second-degree murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
She was arraigned in Spotsylvania General District Court May 30 on a misdemeanor assault and battery charge related to a May 12 incident. That case was continued until June 28.
