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The Latest: Text messages cited in Virginia teen-slaying

The Latest: Text messages cited in Virginia teen-slaying | iNFOnews.ca
FILE - This January 2016, file photo provided by Blacksburg Police Department shows Virginia Tech student Natalie Keepers, who was arrested in connection with the death of Nicole Lovell. Prosecutors may reveal more details Friday, May 20, 2016, during a hearing in the case against Keepers and David Eisenhauer accused of plotting to kidnap and murder Lovell, who authorities say climbed out a window to rendezvous with them last January. (Blacksburg Police Department via AP, File) A
Original Publication Date: May 20, 2016 3:16AM
Publication Updated: April 28, 2025 9:00AM

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – The Latest on two former Virginia Tech students charged with kidnapping and killing a 13-year-old girl (all times local):

1:10 p.m.

Prosecutors cited text messages found on a defendant’s cellphone in the case against two former Virginia Tech students charged with kidnapping and killing a 13-year-old girl.

At a Friday hearing, prosecutors entered into evidence text messages taken from David Eisenhauer’s cellphone. One message said that if the body isn’t found for a week, “it will never be traced.” Another mentioned engaging in “overkill,” and a third said the young teen had been “blackmailing another guy too.”

Judge Robert Viar Jr. ruled there was sufficient evidence to refer the case to a grand jury.

Eighteen-year-old Eisenhauer is charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in the January stabbing death of Blacksburg seventh-grader Nicole Lovell. Nineteen-year-old Natalie Keepers is charged with being an accessory to kidnapping and murder and with helping hide the body.

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3 a.m.

Two former Virginia Tech students charged in the disappearance and death of a 13-year-old girl are due in court for a preliminary hearing.

Eighteen-year-old David Eisenhauer is charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in the January stabbing death of Blacksburg seventh-grader Nicole Lovell. Nineteen-year-old Natalie Keepers is charged with being an accessory to kidnapping and murder and with helping hide the body.

A judge will decide after Friday’s preliminary hearing whether there’s probable cause to send the case to a grand jury.

At a previous hearing, a prosecutor said the two college students from Maryland met at a fast-food restaurant on Jan. 26 to plan Nicole’s death. Authorities have not given a possible motive.

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