Fredericksburg Man, Woman Arrested After Body Found In Caroline County

CAROLINE COUNTY, VA — A man and woman from Fredericksburg are facing charges after authorities said a person was fatally shot in rural Caroline County.

James William Jackson, 47, and Laurel Ainsleigh Thrift, 30, were arrested this week in connection with the Nov. 18 homicide, the Caroline County Sheriff's Office announced. Jackson was charged with second-degree murder, abduction and weapons charges, authorities said, while Thrift was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, accessory after the fact and other counts.

According to authorities, detectives launched an investigation after deputies found a man's body alongside a gravel road in Caroline County near the Spotsylvania County line. Authorities said the man had no known connections to the area where his body was discovered.

According to police, investigators were able to identify Jackson and Thrift as suspects after extensively interviewing the victim's family and acquaintances. Authorities said the victim was abducted and taken to a rural area in Caroline County, where he was fatally shot.

According to investigators, the shooting was likely motivated by Jackson's discovery of a relationship between the victim and Thrift.

Caroline County authorities did not release the victim's name.

On Friday, deputies attempted to stop a vehicle carrying Jackson and Thrift near the intersection of Harrison Road and Plank Road in Spotsylvania County. Both fled on foot, authorities said, but were quickly apprehended by deputies.

In a search following the arrests, investigators located two guns that were discarded during the chase, including one matching the caliber of shell casings found near the victim's body.

Both Jackson and Thrift are being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.