NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) -- After seven years of investigating, police just arrested and charged a man in a 2008 Norfolk murder case following a traffic stop in North Carolina.
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Angela Lechlitner (Photo courtesy: Goshen News)
On Tuesday, authorities announced they charged 27-year-old Michael Brown of Goldsboro, North Carolina with second-degree murder in the death of Angela Lechlitner.
Lechlitner's body was discovered Jan. 19, 2008 at her Norfolk home in the 2400 block of Shafer Street.
"We feel good for the family. They needed closure," said Pastor Kenny Bryant, of Tabernacle Church of Norfolk. "This happened many years ago. And when someone goes through this kind of ordeal, they need to have closure."
Lechlitner was an active member of Tabernacle Church until she was killed. One week after her death, her parents and church friends planted a cherry tree on church property. Underneath the tree is a plaque that reads, "Love, Joy, Peace, Patience."
"These are things that flowed from Angie," said Bryant.
Norfolk police have remained quiet on the case over the years. In 2008, police reported there were obvious signs of trauma when Lechlitner was discovered. Police have not said when Brown was named a suspect in the Indiana native's death.
The Wayne County Sheriff's Office said in a news release Tuesday, "Members of the ACE Team (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team) and Agents from the State Bureau of Investigations worked together to exchange information that resulted in the apprehension of Brown only hours after the ACE Team received the murder warrant."
The Wayne County news release said Brown was apprehended without incident during a traffic stop on Hwy 111 in Goldsboro on Monday.
WAVY.com asked spokeswoman Cpl. Melinda Wray if police are searching for any other suspects in Lechlitner's death.
"Although the criminal investigation and litigation process remain ongoing, no other suspects have been positively identified in the case," Wray said via email.
It's not clear what Brown's connection to Norfolk or the victim might be. WAVY.com called the number listed under his Goldsboro address on Tuesday night and no one answered.
Brown is currently being held in the Wayne County Corrections Facility for extradition to Virginia.
Copyright by WAVY - All rights reserved
Copyright by WAVY - All rights reserved
