AMHERST COUNTY, Va. – UPDATE
The Lynchburg Police Department has arrested a man in connection with the murder of a missing Lynchburg woman.
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As the search for missing 20-year-old Avriel Hooks of Lynchburg was underway, authorities said they found a body in Amherst County in a wooded area off of U.S. 60. The ID of the body has still not been released.
After the body was found, LPD said they detained a man for questioning, now identified as 21-year-old Michael Perry III of Lynchburg.
Perry has since been arrested and faces the following charges, police said:
- Second-Degree Murder
- Unlawful Disposal of a Dead Body
Perry is being held in the Blue Ridge Regional Jail without bond, according to police.
It is unclear if the body found in Amherst County on Tuesday has been identified as Hooks, who police now said was murdered. 10 News is working for you to learn more.
A mugshot of Perry was not available as of 10 p.m. Tuesday.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact LPD Detective C.T. Davis at 434-455-6166, ACSO Investigator B. Escher at 434-946-9373, or Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900. You can also enter an anonymous tip online or use the P3 app on a mobile device.
ORIGINAL STORY
A deceased person was found in Amherst County as authorities were conducting an extensive search in relation to Avriel Hooks’ disappearance, Lynchburg Police said.
The identity of the person found dead and where the body was found was not shared.
Authorities have been searching to find Avriel Hooks, 20, who was last seen on Aug. 22 at about 8 p.m., as we previously reported.
[Lynchburg Police Department says woman’s disappearance is suspicious]
Hooks was reported missing the following day, authorities said.
As of Tuesday morning, LPD was still investigating her disappearance as a missing persons case.
We’re told the person of interest in Hooks’ disappearance was found in the 1400 block of Garfield Avenue and is being questioned.
At this time, police said no arrests have been made.
The investigation is ongoing, according to Lynchburg Police.