Fairfax County Police Department News

The Philadelphia Police Department located the remains of Vianela Tavera on Sunday, in their jurisdiction. Next of kin has been notified, and the Philadelphia Police Department is continuing their homicide investigation. All media inquiries should be directed to the Philadelphia Police Department. Please email them at police.public_affairs@phila.gov.

For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.

 

(Original release date: August 3, 2018)

Detectives Asking for Public’s Help with Missing Person Case

West Springfield District Station – Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau are asking for the public’s help in locating 50 year-old Vianela Tavera from New York.

Ms. Tavera’s 2013 Acura MDX was located in the 9000 block of South Park Circle in Fairfax Station Monday, July 30. Officers were initially dispatched there for a man in the SUV possibly in need of medical attention. Officers arrived and found 38-year-old Luis E. Negron-Martinez, of Philadelphia, PA. Further investigation revealed the Acura MDX (NY, HAA-2607)  belonged to Ms. Tavera.

Our collaboration with NYPD revealed Ms. Tavera was reported missing by her family and NYPD currently has her listed in NCIC as endangered missing. After obtaining a search warrant, crime scene detectives found a handgun and other items in Ms. Tavera’s SUV.

Negron-Martinez was arrested for grand larceny (stolen auto) and possession of a concealed weapon. He was taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and held on no bond. Our investigation further indicates that Negron-Martinez and Ms. Tavera knew each other.

While piecing together the timeline of how Ms. Tavera’s vehicle ended up in Fairfax County, we learned she left her home in New York for a planned trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has not been in contact with her family since she left her residence Saturday, July 28, which is highly unusual for this mother of five.

We believe she made it to her destination, but also believe she may have been harmed.  Several locations have been searched and she has not been found.  We have been working closely during this investigation with NYPD, the Philadelphia Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police.

Anyone with information related to the disappearance of Ms. Tavera is asked to contact us at 703-691-2131.

Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by visiting http://www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org, or calling 1-866-411-TIPS. They can also be sent in via text by texting “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES (274637). Text STOP to 274637 to cancel, or HELP to 274637 for help. Message and data rates may apply. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1000 if their information leads to an arrest.