Metzger's body was disposed of, gun dumped, court documents say

The gun was disposed of in Washington, D.C.

(L to R) Keelyn Codynah, Robert Keating, David Newton, Juan Benavidez

KING GEORGE, VA (WWBT) – Court documents obtained by NBC12 say that two people arrested in connection to Megan Metzger's disappearance were witness to her murder, cleaned up the crime scene and then got rid of the gun. 

The documents state that Keelyn R. Codynah witnessed Metzger being shot and killed in the 11000 block of Post Oak Road in Spotsylvania County. The address is listed as Robert P. Keating's residence. 

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According to the documents, Codynah helped take Metzger's body from the home and cleaned blood from the scene. Keating then took the gun used to kill Metzger to Washington, D.C. and disposed of it there. 

Newton's involvement was not in the documents. 


Two men and a woman have now been charged in connection with human remains that were in King George County near the home of a man charged with the arson of a missing teenager's car early Saturday morning, NBC 12 reports.

Keelyn R. Codynah, 23, of Spotsylvania, Robert P. Keating, 25, of Spotsylvania, and David W. Newton, 20, of Fredericksburg, have each been charged with one count of accessory to murder.

All three are being held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

Police received information about a possible body being located in the Fairview Beach community. The human remains were found at various locations around the community. They were all gathered and sent to Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond for examination, autopsy and positive identification.

According to the man's arrest warrant, the remains were found in the same community where he is from.

State police say the remains and the arrests are being investigated in connection to the disappearance of Megan L. Metzger, 19, of Pamplin. 

"All I saw was a couple of cops cars coming in and out. They were staying down there," community member Lorne Ottinger said. 

Sheriff’s deputies arrested Juan Benavidez, 19, of King George, around 1 a.m. Friday when they received a call from a concerned citizen saying he was spotted near a home in the woods.

"Most people liked him. He was the kid who joked around with everyone." Shayla Bailey, who went to middle school with him, said.

Virginia State Police said the vehicle arson is believed to be connected to the disappearance of Metzger.

The vehicle is registered to Metzger.

State Police said Metzger’s disappearance is being investigated as an abduction.

Metzger went missing Tuesday, however authorities are still investigating where she was last seen.

The remains were located, recovered and taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond for examination, autopsy and positive identification.

Due to the circumstances surrounding the remains, they are investigating those found as a homicide. 

Additional charges are pending consultation with the Spotsylvania County Commonwealth’s Attorney.