Fairfax County Police are looking for a custom-made, white-gold ring owned by Marion Newman that was not found at her home.
Capt. Michael Spradlin, the Major Crimes Division commander, said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon that the ring, which Newman always wore, may be a tool in tracking Newman's killer.
The white-gold ring, with three side-by-side diamonds and a leaf design attached to the band, may have been sold by her killer, or could have been given away, Spradlin said. He's hoping someone in the Springfield community will recognize it, call police and help to find Newman's killer.
In addition, Spradlin and Capt. Maggie DeBoard, the Franconia District Station commander, said the police are investigating the deaths of Newman and Marion Marshall, who was killed in August, as if the crimes are linked.
"Given the proximity of the victims, we feel the offender has ties to both the Edsall Park and Crestwood communities," Spradlin said. "Maybe he lives in one and has a girlfriend in the other, or works in one and has residence in the other. Either way, he has a sense of comfort there."
DeBoard again urged residents to call police or Crime Solvers if they notice any suspicious behavior or unusual vehicles in their neighborhoods.
"The number of calls we've received for suspicious people has exponentially jumped in the past two weeks," DeBoard said. "
Spradlin repeatedly said he could not disclose any further information about the specific details in either the Newman or Marshall murders, including physical evidence, DNA, the motive behind the murders or other items found in the investigations.
"All I can tell you is we're investigating this crime as if one person did it," he said. "I think this is a crime of opportunity. Ms. Newman had a ring on her person that's no longer there. I don't think she was killed for her ring."
Spradlin said he was unsure if any jewelry was taken off Marion Marshall at the time of her death.
Anyone who has seen the ring in question or has any information concerning the deaths of Marion Newman or Marion Marshall is asked to call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131 or Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477. A Spanish-language line has also been established at 703-246-2678 .
<1b>— Amber Healy