VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Early Friday morning, at approximately 7:31 a.m., officers were called to a home in the 1200 block of Edenham Court.
When officers arrived on scene, they found a man, Herbert Bryant, a 45-year-old man from Virginia Beach, dead.
The investigation led authorities to identify the first suspect was as Jason Jablonski, a 41-year-old man from Virginia Beach. He was charged with Second Degree Murder.
Navy officials later confirmed to News 3 that Jablonski is a Sailor assigned to Naval Station Norfolk. No further details were given.
Tyrone Hall can barely comprehend what happened to his next door neighbor and fellow Sailor.
"This is overwhelming. I’m really overwhelmed right now," Hall told News 3 when hearing about Jablonski. "I’m just sorry to hear any of this, really. I just can’t connect the dots when we’re talking about processing it. Not him, because the characteristics don’t match what we’re seeing here."
Hall said he knew Jablonski as an outstanding neighbor, husband, father and Sailor.
"As a Sailor, we were rosy. We always called each other 'brother,' and he’s got a beautiful family," he said. "I thought he was a stellar Sailor, too, because I think he was doing really well in the Navy."
"I’m terribly sorry something of this magnitude could happen," Hall added.
A second suspect, Heather Totty, a 35-year-old woman from Virginia Beach, was also identified. She was charged with Accessory to Murder After the Fact.
Tyler Bellamy recalls seeing tape and numerous officers around his neighborhood at the Eastwyck Village Apartments Friday morning.
"It’s just terrible," Bellamy said. "Literally, probably 50 to 60% [of the neighborhood's population] are older people. So, it’s very surprising to see something like this happen."
News 3 obtained the court documents that reveal more into what happened during the homicide.
Records say Jablonski was on a "crack bender" when he got into a fight with Bryant, beating Bryant in the face with a dumbbell, then pushing the dumbbell down on Bryant's neck until he stopped moving. Jablonski is said to have dragged Bryant's body outside, then fleeing to a hotel.
Jablonski had no previous convictions.
Totty was present when Jablonski murdered Bryant, according to court documents. She's accused of helping drag Bryant's body outside, then attempting to clean up the scene and collecting all Bryant's belongings in a bag. These belongings were later found in a dumpster.
Totty is said to have an extensive list on her criminal record, with offenses including fraud, accessory, burglary, contempt and petit larceny.
For Bellamy, security will be key moving forward in his neighborhood.
"Maybe [I] want to get two Rings [doorbell cameras]," Bellamy said. "One on my front door. I’ve already got one in my house."
Jablonski and Totty appeared in court for a bond hearing Thursday, March 17. Both suspects had their bond denied.
On May 20, Jablonski's bond was denied again.
The relationship between Bryan, Jablonski and Totty is unclear.
This case is being investigated by the Detective Bureau Homicide Unit and the investigation is ongoing.
If you have information about this case, please contact the Virginia Beach Police Department Detective Bureau at 757-385-4101 or anonymously through Crime Solvers at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (1-888-562-5887).
