HoCo Teens Slated to Appear for Virginia Girl's Murder

The two former Virginia Tech students charged in the murder of a 13-year-old girl are slated to appear in court Friday for the first time together.

David Eisenhauer and Natalie Keepers, who both hailed from Howard County high schools, have been held without bail since February in connection with the death of 13-year-old Nicole Madison Lovell.

Lovell disappeared from her mother’s apartment in Blacksburg, Va., on Wednesday, Jan. 27, and her remains were found Saturday, Jan. 30, in North Carolina.

Eisenhauer, 18, of Columbia, was charged with abduction and first-degree murder.

Keepers, 19, of Laurel, was charged with improper disposal of a body and accessory before and after the fact.

The pair will appear in Montgomery County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in Virginia Friday for a preliminary hearing in the case.

The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether there is enough evidence to send the case to a grand jury, according to the Roanoke Times, which reported Friday is the first time Keepers and Eisenhauer will appear in court together.

Officials suspect Lovell had an inappropriate relationship with Eisenhauer, who allegedly killed the girl to keep her from revealing the nature of their connection.

A friend of his told the Roanoke Times that Eisenhauer met Lovell and later discovered her age, and he was afraid she would "expose" him.

See Also:

• Dr. Phil Interviews Father of Slain Virginia Teen
• No Bail for Laurel Teen Charged in Virginia Girl’s Death
• Stabbing Suspected in Virginia Girl’s Death, HoCo Teens Charged
• Maryland Teens Arraigned in Virginia Girl’s Murder
• Two Maryland Residents Charged in Missing Virginia Girl’s Death