UPDATE: The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Department says a car matching the description was found upside down in Sycolin Creek off of Evergreen Mills Rd in Leesburg this evening. Sheriff Mike Chapman says it’s believed the people found inside were Courtney Ashe, 27, Jalen Sills-Russell, 9 and Cameron Martin, 5.
Sheriff Chapman says the car flipped over a guardrail and wound up under water. It’s believed that this was an accident, as the trio was traveling during Friday’s thunderstorm.
The investigation is continuing.
Here’s the news conference held by Sheriff Mike Chapman:
Wyn Delano
WMAL.com
LEESBURG, VA (WMAL) — Three people – a young woman, her 9-year old cousin, and her 5 year old son have been missing since Friday when torrential rains swept through the D.C. region.
The woman, Courtney Ashe was traveling with the two children in a 2002 blue Ford Taurus from Ashburn towards Leesburg at around 11PM, but never arrived.
While police are still “searching around” for leads and don’t have an official story, Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman seems to be focused on that weather:
“There seems to be no suspicious activity that we’re aware of with the family – no thought of any abduction. There seems to be none of that involved here, and that’s why its so perplexing to us…”
It is “very rare,” according to the Sheriff to have a missing person that comes as a result of weather, but it is possible to have a vehicle crash out of sight to the remaining motorists on the road.
Sheriff Chapman is considering getting a helicopter to fly over the route that Ms. Ashe may have taken, lending further support to the theory that police believe her vehicle may have gone off the road.
However, at this point, all possibilities and timelines are still on the table and Police do not yet have an official or credible lead on the whereabouts of the three.
And as time continues to move onwards, Chapman is making a call to the public for any information they may have in an attempt to find this family before it becomes too late.
If you have any information about Ms. Courtney Ashe, Jalen Sills-Russelll or Cameron Martin call the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Non-Emergency line at 703-777-1021
Copyright 2017 WMAL.com All Rights Reserved. (Photo: Loudoun County Sherrif’s Office)
