Woman, 27, Faces 2nd-Degree Murder Charge: Police

PHOTO: Jessica R. Deneal-Whalen, 27, of Fairfax County, faces a second degree murder charge, according to police; photo courtesy of FCPD

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FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- The victim of the homicide Monday in the 5300 block of Bedford Terrace has been identified as 51-year-old, Raymond A. White, of no fixed address, Fairfax County Police announced Tuesday.

The victim’s injuries appear to have been caused by strangulation, police said. The exact cause and manner of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Police have charged Jessica R. Deneal-Whalen, 27, of Fairfax County, with 2nd Degree Murder.

Second-degree murder is a "non-premeditated killing, resulting from an assault in which death of the victim was a distinct possibility. Second degree murder is different from First Degree Murder which is a premeditated, intentional killing," according to Legal Dictionary. Second-degree murder in Virginia is punishable by anywhere from five to 40 years in prison, according to FindLaw.com.

After a night-long investigation, detectives determined the victim and suspect were together at the residence on Bedford Terrace and Whalen became upset and assaulted White, according to police. Police did not say what the relationship was between Whalen and White or why Whalen became upset. The residence is located off of Sacramento Drive, near Woodlawn Shopping Center.

Police say that Deneal-Whalen reported Monday afternoon that there was a deceased man at her home. Patrol officers from the Mount Vernon District were called to the South County Government Center, located at 8350 Richmond Highway, where she had gone to make the report, police said.

Staff from the Government Center explained to officers that she had walked in and reported a deceased man was in her apartment, according to police.