Update (May 21, 2020): The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced two men have been arrested in connection to the deaths of Vanita Nicole Richardson and her sister Truvenia Clarece Campbell, who were found with bags over their heads under a bridge last Wednesday.
Brian Johnston, GBI assistant special agent in charge, said the sisters were “dropped over the bridge” and that police found tattered clothes near shotgun casings in Rome, Georgia.
The Rome News-Tribune reports local police arrested Desmond Lavonte Brown, 28, on a charge of misdemeanor obstruction of an officer on Monday. Devin Lashawn Watts, 36, was also arrested and is charged with theft by receiving stolen property and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
"These arrests were the results of search warrants executed on apartments and vehicles based on leads that were developed and tips received from the GBI Tip Line," the GBI wrote in a press release. "This investigation remains active and ongoing."
Neither man has been officially charged with the deaths of the sisters.
Brown's arrest came after a run-in with police at an apartment complex in Rome, per Sky 21 News.
The 28-year-old’s car was pulled over while officers executed a search warrant. Brown allegedly tried to resist officers who told him not to approach the car after he told them he needed to get something from it.
Anybody who was in the Rome area between May 12 and 13 and may have any knowledge that will aid the investigation is being asked to contact the GBI at 1-800-597-8477.
Original story (May 15, 2020) : Two sisters were found dead under a bridge in Georgia on Wednesday.
According to the Rome News-Tribune, the sisters were identified as 19-year-old Vanita Nicole "Vera" Richardson and 30-year-old Truvenia Clarece "Bean" Campbell. Investigators said Georgia Department of Transportation workers were performing routine maintenance when they found the bodies near the Etowah River under a bypass bridge in the city of Rome.
“We’ve been called to assist on the investigation into two bodies that were found just over the bridge here that were apparently dropped over the bridge,” said Brian Johnston of the Georgia Bureau Of Investigation.
Battalion Chief Brad Beall said fire crews used "a 70-foot aerial ladder with a four-to-one haul system with a Stokes basket to hoist the victims up over the side of the bridge and get them in the care of the coroner."
Investigators haven't said how long the victims were at the bridge, and their cause of death hasn't been confirmed. But police are treating the deaths as a homicide case, 11 Alive reported.
According to the News-Tribune, initial scanner reports said bags were covering the bodies and bullet casings were found nearby, but police haven't confirmed the details. With the bodies now taken to the state crime lab, Johnston said the investigation is still in the early stages.
“We’re working on those leads right now. That’s about all the information I can give you right now,” the investigator told reporters.
Richardson was set to graduate from Armuchee High School this year. Floyd County Schools spokesperson Lenora Doss said Richardson is remembered as having a "caring personality and a big heart."
"We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the news of the death of one of our students, Vanita Richardson, who was scheduled to graduate next Saturday," Doss said in a statement. "We extend our deepest sympathies to the Armuchee Community and her friends and family at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Vanita will be remembered for being a fun-loving, humble, and motivated student who was making strong plans for her future."
Doss added that Richardson's passing is felt by the community even amid school closures.
"Vanita's passing is felt by all," Doss said. "In particular, the staff members whose lives she touched with her caring personality and big heart."
Family and friends also left their sentiments on Facebook.
"She wanted me to pick her up for her birthday in march, she wanted to spend the weekend with me. … I feel so bad that I didn't have a car to pick her up. But she never got mad, she always kept the same love for me," one person wrote. "I love you bean and I will miss you so much. Sorry I couldn't be there when you turned 30, I always thought I would have next year to turn up with u."
Another heartbroken family member said the tragedy is a reminder to "check on your people."
"Love on your people! Stop the madness come together," a Facebook user who goes by Chloe Brooks added.
"My cousin Truvenia Campbell and her sister bug y’all will be very missed. It’s such a very sad day in Rome … this was a total hate crime," she wrote. "Tomorrow isn’t promised my goodness make every day count."
Anyone who was traveling in the area of the crime scene between Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 11 a.m. is asked to contact police if they have information.
