Suspicious death now categorized as PWC’s first homicide of 2017

Homicide Investigation *UPDATE – On January 13, the body discovered along the Potomac River in the 1500 block of Cherry Hill Rd in Dumfries Jan. 12 underwent an autopsy at the Medical Examiner’s Office in Manassas.

Based upon further examination of the victim’s body and the police investigation, detectives from the Homicide Unit are now classifying this death as a homicide, according to a report from Sgt. Jonathan Perok, spokesman for the Prince William County VA Police Department.

The victim was found on January 12 and appeared to have suffered trauma to his body. Preliminarily, the victim has been identified as an adult male. The victim’s identification will be released once a next of kin has been notified. The investigation continues. This is Prince William County’s first homicide of 2017, Perok said.

*Note: Homicide numbers are subject to change based on case reclassification.

Suspicious Death – On January 12 at 12:40PM, officers responded to the 1500 block of Cherry Hill Rd in Dumfries (22026) to investigate a death. The caller reported to police that while walking in the above area, a man’s body was observed along the shoreline of the Potomac River. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives from the Homicide Unit are investigating the death as suspicious. The body was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination and autopsy. The victim’s identification will be released once confirmed and a next of kin has been notified. The investigation continues.