Murderer Still on the Loose as Police Seek Public's Help

Detectives working the homicide case of 19-year-old Vanessa Pham of Falls Church released a video today of Pham’s car in Fairfax Plaza shopping center from shortly before police responded to the crash on Arlington Boulevard on Sunday, June 27. The footage shows her white, two-door 2008 Toyota Scion entering and leaving the parking lot after visiting JD Nail Salon where she was last seen alive and well.

Pham was found murdered at the crash site inside her car, which had plummeted into a ditch. On June 27, she visited the salon on Gallows Road around 3 p.m. before updating her Facebook status from a mobile device at 3:09 p.m., saying she’d received a job as a nanny. Pham was found dead around 3:30 p.m., and police cannot confirm what happened in the 20-minute time lapse between the point she was last seen “under no distress” and when her slain body was found less than half a mile away.

Officials are asking the public to pay particular attention to the portion of the video when Pham’s car is attempting to exit the parking lot. There are several vehicles behind her car and others on Gallows Road attempting to enter the parking lot. Anyone who recalls being in close proximity to or seeing her car in and around the Fairfax Plaza shopping center parking lot is asked to call Fairfax County Police.

The map below plots the approximate 0.3-mile distance between Fairfax Plaza (A: 2900 block of Gallows Road in Falls Church) and the intersection of Williams Drive and Arlington Boulevard (B), where Pham was found dead after plunging her car into a ravine. Police Officer Bud Walker said detectives have been given no reason to believe Pham was not driving the vehicle, but did not confirm where in the car her body was found.

(Google Maps graphic)

Members of the Vanessa Pham Memorial Fund Facebook page commented online last Thursday about a large amount of homeless people living in tents in the area surrounding the crash site. Fairfax County spokesperson Don Gotthardt agreed, saying he "understands there are homeless communities" around that location.

"The homicide detectives working on the case are well aware and are looking into that," Gotthardt added.

Today also marks the day Pham will be laid to rest at National Memorial Park in Falls Church. Her funeral was held this morning at Vienna Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her mother, Julie Pham, her maternal grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Pham's death is the eighth homicide in Fairfax County this year while there remain no suspects in her murder.

Those with information are urged to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org, text “TIP187” plus their message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

Related News:

Murdered Local Woman's Funeral Set for Wednesday

F.C. Woman Seen in Fairfax Plaza Moments Before Death

Photo Gallery: F.C. Murder Victim's Friends & Family Remember Her Life