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Sussex County deputies make multiple arrests in homicide of former graduate student

Posted at 5:27 PM, Feb 01, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-01 17:29:02-05

SUSSEX CO., Va. - Investigators with the Sussex County Sheriff's Office said Thursday that multiple arrests have been made in the murder of Kenneth Moore, a former Mary Washington University graduate student whose body was found in a trash bag in a wooded area off Route 35 on January 12.

Kenneth Moore and his mother, Patti Bass 

Erick Obando, 24, and Christopher Jared Crowder, 18, have been charged with first degree murder. A juvenile male was also arrested on February 1.

"It's been a long time since we've seen a murder as such," said Sussex County Sheriff deputy, Ernest Gile, Sr.

Court documents reveal Moore was attacked by Crowder and Obando outside of a gas station in Prince George County on January 11.

Erick Obando

Documents read that eye witnesses saw Crowder kicking and hitting Moore as Obando was cutting his throat.

"I would like to credit the community for assisting in solving this in the investigation that's led up to this point," the Sheriff added.

Court documents said Moore's body​ was taken in Crowder's jeep.

Moore was found in two garbage bags, left in a ditch on Route 35 in Sussex County on January 12.

Moore's mother believes he was robbed of his phone, wallet, backpack and laptop before his death.

Christopher Jared Crowder

"I don't think he would've given up his computer very easily. He loved that computer," said Patti Bass.

Court documents reveal suspects, Crowder and the juvenile were together when the laptop was sold.

Sussex County deputies tell News 3's Aleah Hordges that Crowder, Obando and the juvenile remain behind bars without bond and that the case is still under investigation.

Related:

Sussex County Sheriff's Office investigating after hunter finds body in trash bag in woods