Woman's remains identified by DNA in Virginia, exposing second alleged murder linked to same 4 suspects

The 4 suspects accused of sidesplitting a Virginia teen are present facing charges successful a 2nd homicide aft investigators identified a pistillate whose remains remained a enigma for much than 3 months, revealing what authorities accidental were 2 connected, premeditated killings.

Helen Marie Pullen Banks, 56, of Culpeper, was identified done "extensive and analyzable DNA analysis" completed July 7, aft her remains were discovered March 27 connected backstage spot successful Caroline County, according to the sheriff's office.

Authorities announced this period that Rashad Antonio Mayfield, 21, Devonti Gregory Pettaway, 19, Jaden Lamont Phillips, 20, and Kennady Jade Lambert, 18, person each been charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to perpetrate execution and usage of a firearm successful the committee of execution successful Banks' death.

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Authorities accidental Kennady Jade Lambert, Devonti Gregory Pettaway, Jaden Lamont Phillips and Rashad Antonio Mayfield are charged successful the murders of Helen Marie Pullen Banks and Jayden McComber. (Google Maps/Caroline County Sheriff's Office, VA)

All 4 suspects were already being held without enslaved aft being charged with execution successful the decease of 18-year-old Jayden McComber.

Investigators accidental they suspected aboriginal successful the lawsuit that the 2 homicide investigations were linked.

McComber disappeared the aforesaid time Banks' remains were discovered. His conveyance was recovered the pursuing time successful Virginia Beach with assistance from the Virginia Beach Police Department, according to the sheriff's office.

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Jayden McComber was 18 years aged erstwhile helium was killed successful March 2026, according to investigators. (Virginia State Police)

Authorities said the conveyance was thoroughly processed and produced "valuable investigative leads" that helped investigators find McComber's remains and place the suspects.

McComber's assemblage was recovered March 31 successful a pond adjacent the Caroline County line.

During an April 2 hunt of a Henrico County residence believed to beryllium associated with Mayfield, investigators recovered idiosyncratic belongings thought to person been successful McComber's possession erstwhile helium disappeared, authorities said.

Mayfield was arrested connected charges during a postulation halt conducted portion investigators were searching the residence. Authorities said a handgun was seized from his possession, though they person not disclosed whether the firearm has been linked to either homicide.

Pettaway, Phillips and Lambert were arrested during a simultaneous cognition astatine an flat connected Kenway Avenue successful Henrico. Caroline County investigators were assisted successful the arrests by the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force.

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Following the arrests, Sheriff Scott Moser described the lawsuit arsenic a "complex and hard investigation" and praised the "relentless work" that led authorities to the 4 suspects.

The sheriff's bureau said ballistic investigating performed with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives aboriginal produced forensic grounds linking the 2 murders.

Investigators accidental some Banks and McComber knew astatine slightest 1 of the suspects earlier they were killed. However, authorities said they person uncovered nary grounds that either unfortunate had a struggle oregon quality with the suspects implicit what investigators described arsenic "premeditated and deliberate acts."

Authorities person not disclosed a imaginable motive oregon said whether Banks and McComber knew 1 another.

When Banks' remains were archetypal discovered, the spot proprietor who recovered them was "understandably shaken" and did not attack the assemblage earlier calling 911, according to the sheriff's office.

"This is simply a profoundly disturbing case," Moser said astatine the time. "The country our deputies and investigators encountered was difficult, but they remained focused and nonrecreational from the infinitesimal they arrived."

Helen Marie Pullen Banks' individuality remained chartless for much than 3 months earlier investigators identified her done DNA analysis. (Found and Sons Funeral Chapels & Cremation Service)

The sheriff's bureau aboriginal alleged that those liable had taken "sick and deliberate" measures to conceal Banks' identity, calling it 1 of the much disturbing cases investigators had encountered. Authorities person not publically elaborate those alleged measures.

Banks' individuality was formally confirmed July 7, and investigators met with her household that evening to notify them.

"This lawsuit reflects the relentless committedness of our investigators to prosecute the truth," Moser said aft announcing the identification. "While nary announcement tin easiness the symptom of this loss, we anticipation today's recognition of Helen Marie Pullen Banks provides astatine slightest immoderate measurement of answers for her loved ones."

The probe has besides progressive the Caroline County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, FBI and ATF. Authorities said they are not searching for immoderate further suspects, though the lawsuit remains active.

The sheriff's bureau said Banks' household was notified of her recognition connected July 7 aft DNA investigating confirmed her identity.

Banks was calved successful Charlottesville and lived successful Rixeyville, according to her obituary. She is survived by 5 children, her mother, 2 siblings, 10 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild and a ample extended family.

Helen Marie Pullen Banks, 56, was identified done DNA investigating aft her remains were discovered successful Caroline County. (GoFundMe)

"Helen was truthful overmuch much than the circumstances surrounding her passing," her household wrote successful a GoFundMe established to assistance screen memorial expenses. "She was a daughter, a sister, a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother."

McComber's household besides remembered the 18-year-old successful a GoFundMe created aft his death, describing the week-long hunt for him arsenic "a nightmare nary household should ever person to unrecorded through."

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"Jayden was truthful profoundly loved," his household wrote. "He had the biggest bosom and made definite the radical astir him knew it. He ne'er missed a accidental to accidental 'I emotion you,' and those words mean everything to america now."

The probe remains active, though authorities accidental they are not seeking further suspects.

Fox News Digital has reached retired to the Caroline County Sheriff's Office, the Caroline County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the FBI, ATF, the Virginia Beach Police Department and tribunal officials for further information.