Double Murder In McLean Leads To Guilty Verdict

MCLEAN, VA — A Fairfax County jury convicted a woman Monday on murder charges in the 2017 killing of her mother and sister in McLean.

Megan Hargan, of West Virginia, was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of murder. The charges relate to the July 14, 2017 fatal shootings of her mother, Pamela Hargan, 63, and sister, Helen Hargan, 23.

On July 14, 2017, police responded to a call that someone might have been killed in the 6700 block of Dean Drive. Upon entering the home, officers discovered the bodies of Helen Hargan and Pamela Hargan, who were both shot. Police had originally believed the deaths of Pamela and Hargan were a murder-suicide. But investigations revealed the incident may have been set up to look like a murder-suicide.

Megan Hargan became the main suspect as the investigation continued. Hargan was arrested in November 2018 near her home in Monongalia County, West Virginia. She was indicted by a grand jury from multiple jurisdictions.

The case is being prosecuted by the office of Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano. Descano said in a statement that Megan Hargan may have been angry thinking her mother favored her sister Helen and did not transfer $400,000 to buy a home for Megan.

"We in Fairfax County have no tolerance for such disregard for human life and I am committed to addressing crimes of this magnitude with the seriousness they merit," said Descano in a statement. "We will be asking for a substantial sentence that reflects the seriousness of the crime."