Three People Found Dead Inside Submerged Vehicle Near Leesburg

LEESBURG, VA — A woman and two young children found dead early Monday night inside a partially submerged upside down vehicle in Sycolin Creek near Evergreen Mills Road and Hogeland Mill Lane are believed to be the subjects of a missing persons case, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.

Courtney Ashe, 27, of Suffolk, was last seen leaving a family residence in Ashburn Friday night with Jaylen C. Sills-Russell, 9, and Cameron A. Martin, 5. Ashe had traveled from another family residence in the Leesburg area with Sill-Russell, a cousin to pick up her son, Martin. She was supposed to return to the Leesburg residence but never arrived.

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Police say the vehicle appears to have lost control before it ran off the road and into the creek. Although positive identification has not yet been verified, Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman told the Washington Post he believes the victims are the three missing people, adding that it appears to be "a tragic end to a tragic scenario."

Image via Loudoun County Sheriff's Office