Lynchburg police have found the body of a woman who was missing for more than two weeks, and a man is charged with her murder. Police discovered the body of 37-year-old Clarissa Devon Jones in the 200-block of Trents Ferry Road last night. 41-year-old Leonard Eugene Blackwell of Lynchburg is charged with murder, prohibition against concealment of dead bodies, and three counts of failing to register as a sex offender. Jones had been reported missing by her family Thursday, December 2, 2021.
Here is the news release from Lynchburg Police:
[Update] Lynchburg Police Department Searching for Missing Woman
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Lynchburg Police Department (LPD) has located a woman missing for more than two weeks.
Clarissa Devon Jones, 37, was found deceased in the 200-block of Trents Ferry Road on Sunday, December 19, 2021.
After an intensive investigation and collaboration by members of the LPD, Leonard Eugene Blackwell, Jr., 41, of Lynchburg, was arrested in connection with the homicide and charged with the following:
- Murder
- Prohibition against concealment of dead bodies
- Concealing or compounding offenses
- Failure to register as sex offender (3 counts)
The LPD would like to thank the Virginia Department of Emergency Management with their assistance with this case.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Det. Davis (434) 455-6166 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900.
This is an ongoing investigation. Any additional information will be released as an update to this news release.
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EARLIER: The Lynchburg Police Department is searching for a missing woman. Clarissa Devon Jones, 37, was reported missing by her family on Thursday, December 2, 2021. She’s 5 feet 2 inches, around 225 pounds, with multi-colored braided hair and brown eyes. Jones was last seen wearing a pullover hoodie, multi-colored pants, and red sneakers. If you see her, please contact the Lynchburg Police Department immediately. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Det. Dubie (434) 455-6102 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900.