Shellie Carson’s body was found at the traffic circle by Kings Grant Road and Newcastle Road in Virginia Beach, Va., in the early morning hours of Aug. 14, 2005. Carson, 18, had been beaten to death. She was captured on surveillance cameras at 7-Eleven at 3:50 a.m. She was visiting a friend who worked there. A witness saw her riding her bicycle at 4 a.m. in the traffic circle where her body was later found. Another witness said he saw Carson at 4:06 a.m., still riding her bicycle but further down the road. Her body was found at 6:08 a.m. by a passing motorist.
Her bike was in the grass by her body. Carson was on her back under some trees. Her shirt was pulled over her torso and she was naked from the waist down. Her face was bloody. It was determined her cause of death was blunt force trauma to her head. There was also evidence of an attempted sexual assault. Carson’s pants were never found. Investigators noted Carson’s “high-risk lifestyle” put her in danger. She had a history of drug use and was known to stay out late. More than 100 people were interviewed in the search for Carson’s killer, but no one was ever charged and the case went cold. Her murder remains unsolved.