Murder Charges in Death of Tricia McCauley: DC Police

WASHINGTON, DC — A woman found dead after going missing on Christmas Day died from strangulation and blunt force trauma, according to D.C.'s chief medical examiner. The man found driving her car now faces charges in her death.

Adrian Duane Johnson (also known as Duane Adrian Johnson), of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, faces a charge of first degree murder in the death of Tricia McCauley, a 46-year-old actress and yoga instructor who never arrived at a Christmas party Sunday night.

Near noon on Monday, police received a call that McCauley's car was spotted. Police found her body in the vehicle.

The cause of death was determined to be asphyxia due to ligature strangulation with blunt force trauma and the manner of death to be homicide, according to the medical examiner.

Johnson also faces charges of theft and simple assault in a robbery at a CVS Pharmacy early Monday morning.

"The investigation is proceeding rapidly," Interim Chief Peter Newsham said Tuesday morning, encouraging the public to come forward if they have information in the case.

Police released a timeline of the man's movement through the city in the hours before the car was discovered, including a robbery at a CVS Monday morning, according to WUSA9.

• 12:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. suspect seen in the 3400 block of Georgia Avenue Northwest
• 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. suspect was in the 400 block of Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
• 9:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. suspect and victim's car seen in the 700 block of 4th Street. CVS robbed, employees assaulted
• 11 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. suspect was in the 2300 block of Washington Place Northeast
• 1:15 p.m. to 1:35 p.m. suspect was in the 400 block of Rhode Island Avenue Northeast
• 2 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. suspect was in the 2800 block of Southern Street Northeast

Yoga District founder Jasmine Chehrazi called McCauley a strong leader and a compassionate, nurturing person.

"She basically embodied the teachings of yoga, which start with ahimsa, which is nonviolence and acts of love," Chehrazi told NBC Washington.

Images via Shutterstock, MPD