Police have launched an investigation after a woman was found stabbed to death near a prominent trail in McLean, an affluent area of Fairfax County.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, a jogger found and reported a woman collapsed and bleeding in a small unpaved parking lot near the Difficult Run Trail, located on the border between McLean and Great Falls, around 7:00 a.m. on Monday, the 17th.
Police and paramedics who responded to the scene reported that the woman was pronounced dead on site. While police confirmed that the victim was a resident of Fairfax County, they have not yet released further details regarding her identity or specific age.
Captain Jason Chandler, who is overseeing the scene, stated during a briefing, "At this time, there are no direct circumstances to suggest this was a random act of violence," adding, "We are actively urging residents who may have seen any suspicious persons or vehicles in the area around 7:00 a.m., the estimated time of the incident, to come forward with tips."
Police believe the victim did not reside in the immediate vicinity of the trail where the incident occurred, and are focusing their investigative efforts on establishing a motive and tracking down the suspect. Investigators are currently canvassing the neighborhood to secure surveillance (CCTV) footage from around the crime scene, while a section of Georgetown Pike has been completely closed to traffic to facilitate the investigation.