Missing college student found dead in retention pond after crash, Virginia cops say
Authorities confirmed the identity of a body found June 10 in a retention pond to be 19-year-old Kyle Coleman, the Fairfax County Police Department said in a June 11 news release.
Detectives on June 9 linked Coleman — a rising sophomore at Morehouse College in Georgia, according to a Facebook post by the school — to a June 6 car crash after he was reported missing the next day, police said.
Officers responded to the crash at about 11:15 p.m. in Tysons after receiving an emergency activation call from an iPhone, police said.
A blue Toyota Yaris that was headed west crossed into eastbound lanes, then went off the road and hit a tree, according to police, who said they found the crashed vehicle empty.
Witnesses told officers they saw a person leave the vehicle after the crash, but occupants of the car or evidence of foul play was not found during an initial search of the area, police said.
Coleman's body was found days later 'submerged in a nearby retention pond surrounded by thick brush,' according to police.
Detectives are investigating the circumstances of Coleman's death, police said.
Tysons is about a 15-mile drive west from Washington, D.C.
Community mourns 'college kid full of promise'
LeLe Jones, who said Coleman was her son's best friend and came over on the weekends for pancakes, remembered him as 'a college kid full of promise' in a June 11 Facebook post.
'He is the kid who opened his Bible app before bedtime no matter where he was because that's who his mama and daddy raised,' Jones said.
Coleman was involved in several campus organizations while majoring in business administration with a finance concentration, school officials said in a June 11 statement on Facebook.
'Our entire Morehouse family grieves this unimaginable loss. Kyle was known for his warmth, humility, and peaceful spirit,' officials said. 'May we honor Kyle's life by holding tightly to community, ambition, and peace.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indianapolis Star
a few seconds ago
- Indianapolis Star
Autographed Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady jerseys faked in Westfield sports memorabilia scam
A woman in North Carolina tipped off Westfield police in February to a possible sports memorabilia scam being run in the town. That woman, who police didn't name, reported she had received fraudulent merchandise from Mister Mancave, LLC, a company run by a 45-year-old Westfield man named Brett Lemieux. What no one could have known at the time was just how massive the counterfeit ring Lemieux was running would allegedly be. Among the big names Lemieux allegedly made his fortune on — which Lemieux claimed in a Facebook confession was $350 million – were Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Judge. After the woman's tip, Westfield police began a 5-month investigation into Mister Mancave, a business allegedly selling counterfeit autographed sports memorabilia through its online store and other platforms. As the case progressed, additional victims of Lemieux were found, each claiming to have purchased autographed memorabilia from Mister Mancave that was later determined to be counterfeit, Westfield police said in its latest public statement on the case. On July 15, police executed a search warrant at the Mister Mancave business location in connection with the suspected fraudulent scheme. The following day, the investigation extended to a residence in the 300 block of Hoover Street. "Upon arrival at the residence, officers discovered an individual deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound," the statement says. "That individual has been identified as Brett Lemieux, 45, of Westfield, the founder of Mister Mancave LLC and the primary suspect in this case." Police say they collected "a significant quantity of evidence during the searches, including documentation and items related to the alleged counterfeit operation. Investigators say they are aware of a social media post made by Lemieux shortly before his death in which he gave specific details about how he pulled off what he said was a crime that kept him awake at night. "I always took it as a challenge. I spent sleepless nights planning what items to counterfeit next," he wrote. Lemieux said he would illegally gain access to reputable sports memorabilia company's holograms, a security feature used to authenticate autographs and other collectible items with a serial number. Among the companies he replicated were TriStar Sports, Mounted Memories, Steiner Sports, Fanatics and Mill Creek Sports, Lemieux said in his post. He would then replicate items, using an autopen, which copies signatures, to forge autographs and then sell signed items – jerseys, footballs, baseball bats, photographs – by the thousands, Lemieux wrote. One of the biggest items Lemieux replicated were Brady jerseys, said those in the sports memorabilia industry. "We had started seeing these really weird looking Tom Brady (jerseys) and we kept saying, 'These don't look right. There's something really off here,'" Steve Grad told IndyStar. Grad appears as an expert on the television show "Pawn Stars" and is with Beckett Authentication Services, a third-party company in Plano, Texas, that authenticates autographs. "Well, it turns out, we were right," Grad said. "He did this with Aaron Judge. He did this with anybody you could really think of, Derek Jeter. These are all really big names." In his Facebook post, Lemieux named other individuals who may have been involved in the counterfeit scheme, which police said they are aware of. "This will require additional time to carefully review and investigate all evidence and leads," police said. "We are working with various authenticators for technical assistance and the authentication of all seized items." In its statement, Westfield police said the department "acknowledges that any loss of life is a tragedy, and we extend our condolences to Mr. Lemieux's family and friends during this difficult time." Anyone with information related to the case should contact Detective Don Bennett of the Westfield Police Department at dbennett@
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
California mom-of-four Whisper Owen, baby go missing on the way to buy formula
A California family is desperate for answers after a mother-of-four and her 8-month-old daughter went missing on their way to buy baby formula. Whisper Owen, 36, and her infant daughter Sandra McCarty disappeared while driving back home following a doctor's appointment in Fresno on July 15, with still no explanation available as police investigate the case. 'The not knowing, it's brought me to a point where I'm — it's a cross between anger and numb,' distressed grandmother Vickie Torres told local KCRA. 'I'm terrified. I'm just terrified.' 6 California mother Whisper Owen, 36, and her infant daughter Sandra McCarty went missing in on July 15. Fresno County Sheriff's Office 6 The mother and daughter were last seen leaving a doctor's appointment in Fresno. Fresno County Sheriff's Office The mother and child were last spotted just northwest of Fresno, in Atwater, where a traffic camera pinged Owen's silver 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer at around 8 p.m., according to the Fresno County Sheriff's Office. Torres said that her daughter had briefly postponed the long ride home to stock up on baby formula in Atwater, which was located about halfway between Fresno and her home in Elk Grove. 'The only thing she had to do was stop and get a can of formula because she was on her last bottle,' Torres said. Owen's partner reported her and the baby missing when they failed to come home that night, with the rest of the family learning about the disappearance a few days later, the Owens told the local outlet. 6 Owen was last seen driving a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Fresno County Sheriff's Office 6 Owen was driving to buy baby formula when she and her daughter went missing. Whisper Owen / Facebook 6 Owen's mother Vickie Torres said she is 'terrified' for her daughter and granddaughter's safety. KCRA 3 'We just want to find them before it's too late,' Sandra's older sister, Andrea McCarty, said. 'Her car is no longer popping up on any traffic cams. Her phone's been off,' she said. 'Your mind goes through all the terrible possibilities.' The family said they do not believe Owen would run away with the baby, saying the family enjoys a good home life and that she would never leave behind her three other children. 6 Sandra's older sister, Andrea McCarty said Owen's phone is turned off and the car hasn't been spotted on any traffic cameras. KCRA 3 McCarty said her family has driven to Atwater to try and find clues as they call on police to do whatever they can to find the missing mother and child. The Fresno County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment.
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Neighbor Rescues Injured Cat—X-Ray Reveals the Unthinkable
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An act of concern turned into a disturbing revelation when a stray cat turned out far more injured than his rescuer realized. The cat, now named Brewster, was rushed to an emergency vet clinic by a neighbor, where it was revealed that the feline was shot in the leg. The realization led to a plea for help from North Shore Animal League America in a Facebook post, which reached at least 10,000 people who reacted to it. Initially, it was suspected that Brewster had been hit by a car, but X-rays revealed a far more sinister truth: Brewster had been shot, leaving him with a severely fractured front leg. Stock image: A stray cat looks up expectantly. Stock image: A stray cat looks up rescue shared Brewster's harrowing story. "URGENT RESCUE ALERT: Brewster Needs You. Brewster's life nearly ended before it had a chance to begin," it wrote. "His only option would have been euthanasia unless someone was able to where we came in." With his "shattered front leg" and no owner to afford his necessary medical care, Brewster faced the grim prospect of euthanasia. That's when the rescue stepped in, taking the tuxedo cat into its care. He was first brought to its Adirondack campus before being transported to the Port Washington, New York campus. There, a medical team grew determined to do everything possible for his injury. "They are working urgently to stabilize him and explore every option before turning to amputation as a last resort," the post read. The organization emphasized its commitment to the cat, stating, "Brewster suffered for days, but we are committed to his care and his comfort. His recovery will take time, medical expertise, and critical resources. All of which we're committed to providing for this sweet, handsome boy." How Did People React? The story of Brewster's brutal injury ignited outrage and sympathy among Facebook users. Many condemned the perpetrator who appeared to have shot the cat. "Poor Brewster! shoot a poor cat! I hope the perpetrator is caught and serves some serious jail time and fined heavily for this horrible abuse! Brewster is a handsome Tuxie cat with a cute face! Hope he heals up just fine and gets his furever home asap!" Other users shared similar experiences of finding injured strays and praised the rescue's efforts. One person recounted a personal story: "Years ago, we had a stray cat who took refuge in our garage—I left the door open just enough so he could get in—had food, water and a bed. One day, I opened the door and he was waiting for me with blood on his fur. A local rescue group took him in and got him taken care of at the vet. He had been shot, but he was okay. They named him 'Bullet.' He was fostered and ended up being so thankful for the rescue group." The broader issue of animal cruelty and the vulnerability of cats drew passionate responses. "Thank you for helping this fur baby," another commenter wrote. "Wish we could save them I wish 'saving' cats wasn't ever necessary." North Shore Animal League America is urging the public to donate now to help cover Brewster's extensive medical costs, emphasizing their commitment to providing him "the care, comfort, and second chance he truly deserves." Newsweek reached out to North Shore Animal League America for comment via email.
