Prince William County police makes arrest in 14-year-long cold case

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. ( DC News Now ) — Prince William County police said it has charged a man, who was arrested in Florida, for allegedly murdering his acquaintance over 10 years ago.

The Prince William County Police Department (PWCPD) said back on March 24, 2010, officers went to a home located in the 14000 block of Arden Road in Nokesville to investigate a missing persons report.

There, officers learned that the family had not heard from the victim, Shane Donahue, 23, after he left his parent’s home on March 22, 2010.

Over the course of the 14-year-long investigation, police looked into every lead they developed before the case turned cold. Then in Spring of this year, detectives reopened the investigation and reexamined the entire case from scratch because of advances in technology and newer police practices.

PWCPD said Donahue was last seen leaving his parent’s home with his acquaintance, Timothy Hickerson. The pair were heading back to Donahue’s home, located in the 12000 block of Arden Road.

Donahue was never seen or heard from again.

His remains were never found but he is presumed dead.

While police were investigating, they found out that Hickerson was involved in a burglary that happened at Donahue’s home just days before he disappeared, PWCPD said.

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Hickerson and deputies from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested him in Palm Coast, Fla.

He was awaited extradition to Virginia.

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