By Cody Mello-Klein | cmelloklein@alextimes.com
Correction: The printed version of this story stated the suspect had been arrested for the homicide on Dec. 7. He has only been charged with second degree murder.
The Alexandria Police Department announced on Wednesday that David Cunningham, 40, of Alexandria, had been charged with the Dec. 7 murder of Melia Jones, 23, also an Alexandria resident.
According to APD, Cunningham was charged with second degree murder and is currently being held without bond. The arrest comes more than a month after Jones was found dead in her South Van Dorn Street apartment on the afternoon of Dec. 7. At first Jones’ death was reported as cardiac arrest, but on Dec. 8, the medical examiner ruled the case a homicide. This was the second homicide of 2021; the first was a fatal stabbing that occurred at a BJ’s Wholesale Club in September 2021.
Police and prosecutors have not revealed any more details about the homicide. Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to contact Detective Michael Whelan at 703-746-6228 or michael.whelan@alexandriava.gov. Details can be provided anonymously.
