Scientist Daughter’s Friends Held in His Killing

Three people were charged with murder Wednesday in the slashing death of a well-known Loudoun County, Va., biophysicist in what law enforcement sources say was a particularly vicious killing.

Loudoun County authorities said the three suspects are friends of the teenage daughter of the slain scientist, Robert Schwartz, but would not comment on a motive.

Schwartz, who worked at Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology, was found dead Monday afternoon in his secluded farmhouse southwest of Leesburg. Sources said Schwartz, 57, was stabbed several times in what they described as a ritualistic slaying. One source said his body was found face down and an X was carved into the back of his neck. The killing had “cult overtones,” the source said.

Kyle Hulbert, 18, of Woodbridge, Va., was arrested Tuesday night outside a home in Millersville, Md., authorities said. Michael Pfohl, 21, and Katherine Inglis, 19, both of Haymarket, Va., were arrested Wednesday afternoon when Loudoun authorities stopped their car in Manassas.

Loudoun Sheriff Stephen Simpson, who announced the arrests at a news conference Tuesday night, said that detectives have not determined a motive in the slaying and that the investigation is continuing. He said he did not know whether more arrests would be made.

Simpson said the three suspects are friends of Schwartz’s youngest daughter, Clara, 19, a student at James Madison University. He described them as “local friends.”

“Investigators will only reveal that the three individuals charged are acquaintances of the victim’s adult daughter,” Simpson said. “We don’t know how familiar they were with the father, but we know they knew him. Whether they came in with this intent or this was a discussion that went bad, we don’t know.”

Simpson said investigators were interviewing the three late Wednesday. “If they continue to cooperate we’ll know more soon,” he said.

Loudoun investigators have been working around the clock interviewing friends and family and conducting searches of two residences in Prince William County, officials said. Investigators also have impounded a car and are checking e-mail communications. Maryland and Virginia state troopers, as well as officers from Prince William, Manassas and Anne Arundel, have assisted.

Schwartz was found dead after co-workers at the center asked a neighbor to check on him because he hadn’t shown up for work, and then missed a meeting.