The Virginian-Pilot
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PORTSMOUTH
The crime scene tape is gone from the family home where 16-year-old Meghan Landowski was found last week. The porch now is adorned with balloons, stuffed animals and flowers left in tribute to the slain teen.
Police still are pursuing leads but have reported no breaks in the homicide case.
Susan Humphrey, a single mother who lives nearby, has double-checked her locks since Meghan's death.
"It's a little scary," she said, while potting plants Wednesday morning. "It's a little close to home."
Andrea Warren, who lived next door to Meghan and chatted with her a few hours before she was found dead, said Tuesday that she, too, is worried.
"They're still out there," she said. "Most everyone around here is taking more caution. They're scared."
Police have collected forensic evidence and officers are interviewing friends, family and acquaintances of the girl, whose stepfather found her dead when he returned home to Roberts Court West last week. Detective Jan Westerbeck, a spokeswoman for police, said more than 20 detectives have been involved in the case. They have repeatedly returned to the neighborhood, she said.
"It's not just homicide and robbery; it's all the detectives," she said.
The case has drawn widespread attention. More than 250 people attended a vigil for Meghan on Friday night. Her funeral is Saturday at Pinecrest Baptist Church.
The Woodrow Wilson High School sophomore got out of school early Thursday after taking an exam. She chatted with Warren sometime after 11 a.m. and borrowed some macaroni and cheese for lunch. Her stepfather found her dead and called 911 at 4:09 p.m., police have said.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed the cause of death.
"We have gotten some Crime Line tips, and we are asking the public to give us more," Westerbeck said. Anyone with information can call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
Matthew Roy, (757) 446-2540, matthew.roy@pilotonline.com
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Something needs to be done
I feel exactly the same as Rose. I only heard about this tragic murder once on television. It seems that it is being brushed under the carpet. I am a college student, and this murder made me think about my safety. I understand since she was a minor the police can't release much information, but for the safety of everyone in this community there needs to be something said on how we can try to prevent this from happening again. My condolences goes out to Meghan's family and friends, and I hope justice will be brought to Meghan. To the press and the police, a homocide such as the one that happened to Meghan is not a normal thing to happen in this community, and to see how the topic of safety is not being discussed to the adolescence upsets me dearly.
Maybe it's time for PPD detectives to bring in someone else.
Why on earth would someone harm a little girl that, from everything I've heard, was a very nice, clean and friendly person that would harm no one. If what I've heard is true, her killer had a lot of hatred for her. A person filled with that much hatred should be fairly easy to pinpoint. Either the PD knows who this is and is trying to build a case or the area should be on the highest possible alert. Either this wasn't done by someone with a grudge to bare against this little girl or there is a very sick and dangerous person running around and no one is safe. If the later is the case, the PD and the local press should be emphasizing the danger we are all in. This should be in the press everyday until a break in case is made, instead it seems to be brushed aside. Why is that? I don't think I'd let my kids out of my site if the PD doesn't have a clue who did this. I can't imagine how bad the family and friends of this little girl feels, my heart goes out to them. I pray they find who did this very soon.