ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, November 1, 1996 TAG: 9611010095
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN SNIDER
Virginia State Police arrested a New York couple Thursday in Bedford County on fugitive warrants after a three-day joint homicide investigation with New York authorities.
Tanya L. Elders, 23, and Brian A. Thomas, 27, both of Long Eddy, N.Y., were charged in New York with first-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of a Tioga County man.
David J. Flint, 63, of Endicott in south central New York was found dead in his mobile home Oct. 24. Police believe he had been dead for several days, but they have not pinpointed the time of death.
Flint died from massive internal injuries and respiratory failure.
Virginia State Police Lt. Jim Ruhland said New York State Police would not allow him to release additional details. Elders and Thomas apparently knew the victim socially, Ruhland said.
New York authorities traced the couple to a Body Camp resident Thomas knew, Ruhland said. The couple had been staying at that man's home since at least Oct. 20.
After what Ruhland called an "intensive investigation," state police agents picked up Elders about 1 p.m. Thursday as she used a pay phone on Virginia 24.
Police questioned her about Flint's death, and Ruhland said she gave a statement.
Thomas, who was working as a mechanic, was found a short time later just off Virginia 721, south of Bedford. He was arrested without incident and also made "incriminating statements," Ruhland said.
Elders and Thomas are being held in the Bedford County Jail awaiting extradition.
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines KEYWORDS: FATALITYby CNB