Montgomery Co. Sheriff holds community meeting on VT student deaths

More than a month after Virginia Tech students, David Metzler and Heidi Childs, were found murdered in Caldwell Fields in Montgomery County, the sheriff’s department is still trying to work any leads that come in. On Monday evening, the sheriff’s department held a community meeting.

Dozens of men and women walked into a meeting room at Camp Tuk-A-Way in Montgomery County, which is close to the scene of the crime.

We asked Montgomery County Sheriff, Tommy Whitt, if there is a person of interest.

“Person or persons, yes,” he said.

Whitt said he was asked to have a community meeting with the people who live in the Craig Creek Road area.

“This is a small neighborhood, and we’ve never had a tragedy like this and it shook us up,” said Betty Abbott.

Charles Anderson told us, “I hunt and fish the area so I figured I would like to know what’s going on.“

Although Sheriff Whitt tells us there’s someone of interest, he’s up front with his audience. He can’t tell the people much.

“Information I may give accidentally or otherwise could jeopardize the integrity of the investigation,” he said.

One woman in the crowd spoke up.

“You can’t tell me anything to make me feel better. What can you tell me to make me feel better?”

Since the sheriff can’t release details, one man gets to the point.

“Do you feel more confident that the case will be resolved,” a member of the crowd asked.

“I’m cautiously optimistic, yes,” said Whitt.

It’s a tough case the neighborhood doesn’t want to see turn cold. They are afraid the person responsible is still in the area.

“It’s our assumption the murderer knew the area quite well,” said Abbott.

It’s making it harder for the community to sleep at night until somebody is caught.