2 Virginia women found dead in empty lot; suspect arrested

HARRISONBURG, Va. (TCD) -- A 35-year-old man was taken into custody after two women were found dead in a vacant lot last week.

According to the Harrisonburg Police Department, 54-year-old Allene Elizabeth "Beth" Redmon of Harrisonburg and 39-year-old Tonita Lorice Smith of Charlottesville were discovered Nov. 23 near Linda Lane. Their bodies were reportedly found "within a short distance of each other," but police believe they died at different times.

The Harrisonburg Police Department announced Nov. 5 that Redmon was last seen on or around Oct. 24 near downtown Harrisonburg, and she had been entered as a missing person. On Nov. 23, the Charlottesville Police Department said Smith was reported missing Nov. 19 after having last been seen on the night of Nov. 14. Charlottesville Police said in their statement they believe she might have traveled to Harrisonburg.

Harrisonburg Police said they arrested Anthony Robertson of Washington, D.C., and charged him with two counts of murder and two counts of concealing, transporting or altering a dead body. Investigators are reportedly not looking into any other suspects.

The Virginia Medical Examiner has not yet determined a cause or time of death yet for either woman.

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