Crime & Safety

Police: Charles Severance 'Primary Focus' in 3 Alexandria Killings

Alexandria Police said Wednesday they will narrow their murder investigation of Nancy Dunning, Ron Kirby and Ruthanne Lodato to a single suspect.

Thompson Wall, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
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Officials have narrowed their investigation of three high-profile murders of Nancy Dunning, Ron Kirby and Ruthanne Lodato to one suspect whom Alexandria Police are now calling their "primary focus."

The news comes one day after the longtime girlfriend of suspect Charles Severance, 53, testified that she had never known Severance to be violent or use a gun. Linda Roba said she bought two .22-caliber revolvers upon Severance's suggestion and he had access to the weapons since the two began living together in 2011. Based on her testimony, Loudoun District Court judge ruled Wednesday there was probable cause to charge Severance with possession of a firearm by a nonviolent felon.

No arrests have been made relating to these crimes, but the Department said Wednesday Severance is the primary focus of their investigation into the slayings of realtor Nancy Dunning in 2003, transportation official Ronald Kirby in 2013 and piano teacher Ruthanne Lotado in February.
 
Charles Severance came to the Department’s attention shortly before his arrest in West Virginia through a tip. Testimony in Wednesday's hearing revealed officials investigating the murders were considering Severance as a suspect as early as March. Alexandria Police have yet to find the two revolvers and have not disclosed any evidence linking Severance to the slayings. 

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