New website launched, reward increased in hopes of leads in murder of two Virginia Tech students

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. – UPDATE

About 10 years after two Virginia Tech students were found shot to death in Jefferson National Forest, no arrests have been made in the case. 

Heidi Childs and David Metzler were murdered in the Caldwell Fields parking lot of the Jefferson National Forest in Montgomery County. 

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Investigators today say this is not a cold case nor has it ever been. 

They are continuing to get new leads everyday for this very active criminal investigation.

"We have specific individuals we are interested in and pursuing related to this case," said Lt. Colonel Tim Lyon, Director of the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation. "We have an extensive inventory of evidence collected from the scene and from vehicles seized during the course of the investigation. We have DNA, and are working to take advantage of 10 years-worth of technological and scientific advancements in DNA testing and criminal databases. We have new leads still coming in that we are pursuing. But we still need the public's help to fit all of these pieces and parts together to bring justice to Heidi, David and their families." 

The FBI has also pledged $28,000 towards the reward, bringing the total reward to $100,000 for any information on the murder of Childs and Metzler. 

"She never got to finish college or fulfill her dreams of being a physicians assistant. She missed her sisters and brothers high school and college graduation with us," said Heidi's mom, Laura Childs. 

Childs, from Bedford County and Metzler, from Campbell County, both met in a high school church group but didn't start dating until college.

"We will never know what it's like to see a son take a bride and we will never gain a daughter-in-law," said David's mother, Susan. 

"David was my only son and my best male friend in the world. We love golfing and especially hunting together," said David's dad, Don Metzer. 

They were just two weeks into their sophomore year at Virginia Tech when they were murdered and found by a man walking his dogs the next morning. 

"It's been 10 years. It's time to come forward and let these families find some sense of peace. Heidi's parents and siblings, David's parents and siblings, their friends have all been held hostage long enough. Now's the chance to share whatever details, suspicions, odd behavior, and/or information anyone has in connection with these unsolved murders," said Lyon.

Anyone with information is asked to call 540-375-9589 or visit the website dedicated to the investigation. 

ORIGINAL STORY

On Friday at 10 a.m., local, state and federal law enforcement will provide an investigative overview and update on the active investigation into the Montgomery County double murder.

Members of both families will share remarks as well.

It's been nearly a decade since two Virginia Tech students were murdered.

On Aug. 26, 2009, Heidi Childs, 18, and David Metzler, 19, were shot and killed in the parking lot of Caldwell Fields in Montgomery County.

Both were sophomores at Tech and met before college through their church youth group.

They were both accomplished athletes, played guitar and sang and came from close-knit families from Campbell and Bedford counties