Three men and one woman accused of second-degree murder in the death of 18-year-old Hopewell resident Jayden McComber were arrested Thursday morning in Henrico County.
Early in the morning, investigators with the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force executed a search warrant at a home on Brilland Court in Henrico. The residence is believed to be associated with Rashad Antonio Mayfield, 23, of Glen Allen.
During the search, investigators seized personal items believed to have been in McComber’s possession when he went missing. McComber’s body was found Tuesday in a pond in Caroline County near the border with King and Queen County after he had been reported missing since March 26.
While the search warrant was being executed, members of the U.S. Marshals conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Mayfield was a passenger and took him into custody. Investigators reported seizing a handgun from Mayfield’s possession during this traffic stop.
Simultaneously, a second team of Caroline County investigators and U.S. Marshals responded to an apartment on Kenway Avenue in Henrico, where they arrested three additional suspects wanted in connection with McComber’s murder.
The other three arrested were: Devonti Pettaway, 20, of Chesterfield County, Kennady Lambert, 18, of Hopewell, and Jaden Phillips, 19, of Richmond. Each are facing a charge of second-degree murder.
According to a statement from the Caroline Sheriff’s Office, investigators believed the four arrested are responsible for the murder, and there are no outstanding warrants for any additional suspects.
During the course of this investigation, Caroline investigators, with assistance from the Virginia Beach Police Department, recovered McComber’s vehicle in Virginia Beach on March 28.’
The information was not released earlier out of concern for potential negative impacts on the investigation. The vehicle was thoroughly processed for forensic evidence and yielded valuable investigative leads that assisted in locating Jayden’s remains and identifying those believed to be responsible.
“This has been a complex and difficult investigation, and I am extremely proud of the relentless work our investigators have put in that led to these arrests,” Caroline Sheriff Scott Moser said. “While nothing can undo the loss suffered by Jayden’s family, we hope these actions bring them a measure of justice and accountability. We are also very grateful for the assistance of our partner agencies, especially the Virginia Beach Police Department, the Henrico County Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Marshals Service, as well as the valuable assistance provided by the Caroline County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, who worked closely with us throughout this investigation.”
Moser went on to state that the sheriff’s office also appreciates the members of the public who came forward with information. He said the public’s support was critical in helping move the case forward.
According to the sheriff’s office release, additional charges are expected as the investigation continues.
McComber was the second body discovered in the same area of Caroline within days. Moser told the Free Press Thursday that a woman’s body that was found on Bagby Road in the Sparta area of the county has not been identified. Moser said investigators have some evidence that lead them to believe her death is connected to McComber’s but the case remains under investigation.
