HALIFAX COUNTY, Va. – A murder investigation is now underway after state police say two people who were found dead near the scene of a car crash weren’t killed during the crash.
State police say Ntombo Bianda, 21, of Alexandria, Va., and Ayanna Griffin, 19, of Germantown, Md., were found dead on a median of Route 58 near Melon Road in the Turbeville community of Halifax County early Saturday morning.
Bianda and Griffin were “close acquaintances,” according to state police.
Just before 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, troopers arrived to the scene of what appeared to be a single-vehicle crash. State police say they found a silver 2009 Nissan Maxima registered to Bianda in the median and two bodies nearby.
The deaths were not caused by the crash, according to state police. Authorities are also investigating the possibility of a second car being involved in the incident.
Authorities say that particular stretch of Route 58, also known as Philpott Road, is fairly isolated and not heavily traveled at night.
Bianda’s and Griffin’s bodies were taken to the medical examiner’s office in Roanoke for an autopsy.
Investigators encourage anyone with information to call the Virginia State Police at 434-352-7128 or #77 on a cell phone. You can also email questions@vsp.virginia.gov. All tips can be made anonymously.
Anyone who may have seen the silver Nissan Maxima with Virginia license plates anywhere between South Boston and Danville between 11 p.m. Friday (Feb. 7) and 3 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 8) is asked to call state police. They would also like to hear from anyone who may have passed through Route 58/Philpott Road near Melon Road between 2:30 a.m. and 3 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 8).