ARLINGTON, Va. -
Arlington County Police are investigating the county's first homicide in more than two years.
The mother of two children has been murdered inside her apartment apparently at the hands of her own husband.
Police say they got the 911 call at 2:43 p.m. Tuesday from a woman who found the bodies of a husband and wife in a back bedroom at the apartment they all shared at Park Shirlington on 31st Street South.
"This is a quiet place," says Cecilia Rodriguez. "I have lived here for 26 years and nothing like this has ever happened. And I'm a little nervous and scared a little bit."
Police say it is a couple in their 30s. Neighbors say they have two young sons and are apparently from Bolivia.
Sources say the murder victim's sister and her young son also live in the apartment.
"Right now, we're not looking for any additional suspects," says Arlington police Sgt. Rick Rodriguez. "It appears this was a homicide-suicide. A couple. So it's domestic-related."
Police and neighbors say they are not sure whether the couple had a history of violence.
Investigators apparently found potential evidence of the crime inside a dumpster near the apartment. Some of it covered in blood. Police also had the couple's car towed away as evidence.
"We like to go through the vehicle to see if there are any notes," Sgt. Rodriguez explains. "Any explanation as to why this horrific incident came to be."
It is the first murder in Arlington County since March 2010.
"Obviously these incidents really take a toll on families and communities and police," Sgt. Rodriguez continues. "But to have that 27 months without a homicide speaks volumes about the community, speaks volumes of people maybe resolving issues without violence. But unfortunately, with some people, you don't know what goes through their heads and they end up doing the ultimate act."
Other family members were at the apartment community in the hours after the crime. It is believed the couple's children are with them as investigators try to learn more about the family and what may have led to the deadly violence.
