A 23-year-old woman from Virginia, Alyssa Jane Venable, has admitted to the fatal shooting of her three roommates. Prior to her arrest, she confessed to a friend that she had harmed people and left instructions for the care of her dog. Venable was apprehended after a high-speed police chase and crash in New York.
Venable pleaded guilty to the murders of Gregory Scott Powell, 60, Carol Anne Reese, 65, and Robert John McGuire, 77, according to online court records. The triple homicide was discovered on the evening of June 4 when another roommate returned to their shared residence in Spotsylvania, found a body, and alerted the authorities. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the three victims and noted that Venable’s car was missing.
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office reported that the three victims, two men and one woman, had suffered fatal upper body trauma. Further investigation and evidence collection led to the conclusion that Venable was responsible for the crime.
Local news outlets reported that tips pointing to Venable began to surface after the incident. One such tip came from an individual who knew Venable, stating that she had left her dog with him and was behaving unusually. Around the same time, a friend of Venable reported to deputies that Venable had confessed to her that she had hurt people. This friend also revealed a note left by Venable, indicating her intention to end her life in California. The note also included cash, instructions for the care of her dog, and account passwords.
Venable was apprehended days later while driving her 2009 Honda Civic on I-86 in New York. She ignored an attempted traffic stop, drove at speeds of up to 100 mph, and eventually crashed her car when troopers successfully deployed a tire-deflating device.
Venable’s criminal history dates back to March 2019 and includes charges for property damage, petit larceny, reckless driving, and assault and battery. Her grandmother expressed concern for her granddaughter’s well-being during a local news interview, suggesting that Venable could also pose a danger to herself and was in desperate need of help.
The news of the triple homicide shocked the local community. One neighbor expressed disbelief, while another questioned how someone could commit such a crime. Venable’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 28.