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Natalie Keepers, female suspect in Nicole Lovell slaying, denied bail.
A judge denied bail for Virginia Tech student Natalie Keepers, 19, who faces charges of being an accessory in the death of Nicole Lovell. David Eisenhauer, 18, a fellow Virginia Tech student and distance runner on the school’s track team, faces kidnapping and murder charges.
Nicole was last seen at her home Jan. 27 and was found dead three days later in a wooded area off Highway 89 in Surry County near the Alleghany County line.
Montgomery County Commonwealth’s Attorney Mary Pettitt said during Thursday’s bail hearing that Eisenhauer and Keepers met at a fast-food restaurant to plan how they’d kill Nicole, and drove past her home. Pettit said they bought cleaning supplies at one Wal-Mart and a shovel at another.
Pettitt said Eisenhauer planned to cut Nicole’s throat at a remote location. The pair put the body in the back of a Lexus, Pettitt said.
Pettit said authorities found a weapon, but she didn’t describe it. Very preliminary autopsy results determined Nicole was stabbed, Pettitt said earlier this week.
Pettitt didn’t give a possible motive or describe how the killing was carried out. Instead, she detailed only the pair’s plans.
Eisenhauer first denied involvement in killing Nicole but admitted to driving to her home, Pettitt said. Pettit said Eisenhauer also admitted that he saw her climb out of her window, and she said he greeted her with a side hug and then brought her to Keepers.
Details also came to light during the hearing that Keepers was a cutter as early as eighth grade, was taking medication for anxiety problems, and was seeing a counselor on campus for treatment. Keepers’ father described her having an appendectomy sometime in the fall, adding Eisenhauer took her to the hospital.
Keepers’ mother called her daughter’s situation devastating. She said she knew her daughter and Eisenhauer were friends, but nothing stood out.
A law enforcement official told CNN Thursday that investigators believe Eisenhauer stabbed Nicole to keep her from exposing an inappropriate relationship they were involved in.
Both suspects are next scheduled to appear in court March 28.
Agencies/Canadajournal
