Unsolved Lorton Homicides Listed On New Webpage

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — The Fairfax County Police Department has launched a cold case webpage to give more visibility to unsolved homicides. The page features cases spanning six decades from the 1960s to the 2010s, including some in Lorton.

The Cold Case Squad was formed in 1995 and runs under the police department's Major Crimes Bureau. The squad of detectives investigates unresolved homicides and unsolved sex crimes in Fairfax County. Detectives are looking for any information that could help them identify the person responsible for each crime.

The initial cases posted on the Cold Cases webpage do not reflect a complete list of all cases assigned to the Cold Case Squad. Detectives continue to review files to provide details of all cold cases throughout the six decades.

"We are committing countless hours and all available resources to close these cases and provide long-awaited answers to victims' families, and bring those who committed these awful crimes to justice," said Maj. Ed O'Carroll, commander of the Major Crimes Bureau.

Below are the cold cases identified in Lorton from the 1970s to 2000s. Anyone with information about a cold case is asked to contact the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 8, or submit a tip through Crime Solvers.

June 7, 2008
23-year-old Faridullah Abbasi was found dead in the driveway of his home on Paper Birch Drive in Lorton. Faridullah was shot multiple times upon exiting his vehicle after arriving home.

Jan. 17, 2000
24-year-old Leonard Greene (AKA Spider) was last seen leaving his house in Fredericksburg on Jan. 16, 2000. His body was found in Prince Georges County, Maryland. A crime scene linked to Leonard's death was identified in Lorton near the old Youth Correction Center and Lorton landfill. Leonard was shot to death.

Dec. 28, 1991
35-year-old Brian Mitchell was involved in an altercation at the Belvoir Grill on Route 1 in Lorton. During the altercation, Brian was stabbed resulting in his death on Dec. 30, 1991.

Dec. 3, 1989

5-year-old Melissa Brannen was abducted from a Christmas party she was attending with her mother at the Woodside Apartment Complex Community Center in Lorton. Caleb Hughes was charged with and convicted of her abduction. Melissa's body has not yet been located.

July 14, 1980
28-year-old Terri Blackstock was found shot on his driveway on Gunston Road in Lorton.

April 6, 1975
17-year-old Farnum Burton was found with gunshot wounds to the upper body in a pond located in the 10900 block of Harley Road in Lorton. Farnum had recently moved to the Dumfries area from Washington, D.C.

Aug. 14, 1974

21-year-old Ezzard M. Wright was stabbed to death while incarcerated in the Lorton Youth Center #1. An inmate used a shank to attack him.

June 13, 1972

The body of a young child (approximately 3 to 6 years old) was found in Massey Creek, near the Colchester Road bridge in Lorton. The child has not been identified.

July 4, 1961
24-year-old Marta Santa Cruz, who worked at Washington Hospital Center, was last seen in Washington, D.C. on July 1, 1961. Her body was discovered three days later in Dogue Creek in Lorton. Evidence revealed that Marta had been sexually assaulted and strangled to death.