Police are mounting a full-scale investigation after the brutal murder last night of an elderly couple in Chevy Chase, D.C.
The victims, identified as Dr. Michael Spevak and Virginia Spevak, had been bound and brutalized after an apparent break-in. Their car—a 2005 blue Toyota Scion—was discovered this morning around 5 a.m. in the 500 block of Ingraham Street, NW, swathed in flames.
More below the jump, including photos, updates, and the official police statement.
From police spokesperson Traci Hughes:
For Immediate Release
November 23, 2008
Homicide in the 5000 block of Belt Road, NWThe Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating a homicide which occurred in the 5000 block of Belt Road, NW .
At approximately 8:30 PM, members of the Second District responded to 5000 block of Belt Road, NW, for a radio assignment to check on the welfare of two residents.
Upon their arrival, authorities located Dr. Michael Spevak, age 68, and Virginia Spevak, age 67. Both victims were pronounced dead on the scene by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The victims’ remains were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner pending autopsy to determine cause of death.
On Sunday, November 23, 2008, at approximately 5 AM, the victims’ 2005 Toyota Scion bearing DC Tag CB5335 was recovered in the 500 block of Ingraham St. NW. The vehicle had been set on fire.
This case remains under investigation by detectives from the department’s Homicide and Sexual Offenses Branch. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIM [E].
Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to DC Crime Solvers at 1-800-673-2777 and to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. If the information provided by the caller to the Crime Solvers Unit leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
Brian Nelson, City Paper‘s Network Administrator, wrote the following to me in an email this morning:
An officer knocked on our door at 4:30am this morning looking for any witnesses. The fire dept had just put out a burning car in our alley (Between 7th and 5th/Hamilton and Ingraham NW) which had been involved in a double homicide in 2D…. They’ve since towed the car.
By the time I arrived to take photos this afternoon, all that remained was the rubble you’re seeing: shards of class, springs and sprockets toasted to a crisp, melted wiring, tire vestiges seared into the cement. The blaze was hot enough to melt a nearby trash can.
Updates forthcoming.
