A 13-year-old girl was kidnapped and killed as part of an elaborate, depraved plan assembled by two Virginia Tech university students to cover up a sexual relationship with the child, law enforcement sources said today.
Montgomery County Commonwealth’s Attorney Mary Pettitt laid out how authorities believe David Eisenhauer, 18, and Natalie Keepers, 19, plotted the death of Nicole Madison Lovell, 13, as part of a “secretive and special” plan.
The two college freshmen are accused of collaborating in the death of girl in a remote location then stuffing her broken little body in a car trunk. The gruesome pair allegedly bought a shovel and cleaning supplies at separate Walmart stores in a bid to cover their tracks.
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As The National ENQUIRER reported, Eisenhauer, of Columbia, Md., has been charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder. Keepers, of Laurel, Md., faces charges of improper disposal of a body and accessory after the fact in the commission of a felony. The pair are being held without bond.
“Eisenhauer used this relationship to his advantage to abduct the 13-year-old and then kill her. Keepers helped Eisenhauer dispose of Nicole’s body,” a Blacksburg, Va., police statement said.
Two law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation said Eisenhauer and Nicole had sexual contact before her disappearance, and that the perv lured her out of her home to kill her.
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Under Virginia law, if a person 18 or older is guilty of having sex with a 13-year-old minor, they face a prison term of two to 10 years, and a fine up to $100,000.
An attorney for Eisenhauer declined comment. Eisenhauer told police “I believe the truth can set me free,” according to court documents.
Nicole disappeared from her home on the night of Jan. 27 — her bedroom window was left open after she apparently sneaked out — and her corpse was found in North Carolina days later.
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Eisenhauer originally denied involvement after messages on Nicole’s phone led police to him. Later, he said he drove to her home and watched her climb out of her window, Pettitt said.
In court for her bail hearing today, Keepers broke down in tears as prosecutors told the judge of how she admitted helping Eisenhauer plot the murder.
“I was excited to be part of something secretive and special,” Keepers reportedly told FBI investigators, according to Pettitt.
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Prosecutors said Eisenhauer and Keepers met at a fast-food restaurant to plan how they would kill Nicole, and that Keepers told police where to find Nicole’s body.
Although Keepers insisted she was not present at the killing, Pettitt told judge Robert Viar Jr. that Keepers “is in the same position as the person who carried out the murder.”
A murder weapon was found, but prosecutors declined to describe it.
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Nicole’s mother, Tammy Weeks, said her daughter had survived a liver transplant, a MRSA infection and lymphoma when she was 5. “God got her through all that, and she fought through all that, and He took her life,” Tammy said.
Nicole was also bullied mercilessly in school and via social media by girls who called her fat and talked about the scars from her transplant. Nicole often cried to stay home, Tammy added.
