PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Portsmouth police have identified a homicide victim and announced a suspect is in custody following a weeks-long investigation into a missing persons case tied to a property at 3404 Elliott Avenue.
Chief Steve Jenkins announced Wednesday that Gordon Randolph Tillman Jr., an unhoused man who was reported missing Sept. 2, was found dead on the property. Gregory Coffey, the homeowner, is wanted on charges of first-degree murder and desecration of human remains. Jenkins announced during the press conference that Coffey had been taken into custody.
“About an hour ago, we were made aware that potentially he may have returned to the residence,” Jenkins said. “We did have fugitives apprehension at that residence on surveillance, and he is in custody, which is obviously the best part of the information that we’re able to provide today.”
How the investigation unfolded
The case began Sept. 2, when Tillman’s brother, Raymond Poole, reported him missing to Portsmouth police. Poole told investigators he had last seen his brother on Sept. 1…