On the evening of August 26, 2009, 19-year-old David Metzler, a sophomore at Virginia Tech, decided to take advantage of the warm summer weather. He told his roommates he was heading out with his girlfriend, 18-year-old Heidi Childs, to Caldwell Fields, a scenic recreational area in the Jefferson National Forest near Blacksburg, Virginia. David had visited the spot earlier that summer on a church retreat and wanted to share it with Heidi. He loaded his guitar into his navy 1992 Toyota Camry and drove off to pick her up.
The young couple never made it home. Early the next morning, August 27, a man walking his dogs discovered their bodies in the parking lot at Caldwell Fields. David was slumped over the steering wheel, shot at close range through the driver’s side window. Heidi was found just outside the car, as if she had tried to flee, also shot at point-blank range with a .30-30 hunting rifle. Their romantic evening had ended in a brutal double murder that remains unsolved more than 16 years later.
Who Were Heidi Childs and David Metzler?
Heidi Lynn Childs, from Bedford County, and David Lee Metzler, from Campbell County, came from similar backgrounds. They first met through their church youth group in high school but didn’t begin dating until they both started at Virginia Tech in 2008. Their families had encouraged them to attend the university independently after the tragic 2007 campus shooting. David asked Heidi’s father for permission to date her formally.
Friends and family remembered Heidi for her bright, bubbly personality and David as quieter, expressing himself through science, sports, and music. Both were dedicated students and people of faith. At the time of their deaths, they were just weeks into their sophomore year. Heidi had recently decided to pursue pre-med, a topic she discussed with her mother in what would be one of their last conversations.
They were unassuming young people who stayed out of trouble—devoted to their studies, their relationship, and their beliefs. No one close to them could imagine a motive for their killings.
The Crime Scene and Timeline
Investigators determined the murders occurred between approximately 8:25 p.m. and 10 p.m. on August 26. David and Heidi had driven to the parking lot at Caldwell Fields, a spot popular with students and locals during the day but relatively quiet at night. The area is rural, located off Craig Creek Road in Montgomery County, about 20 minutes from Blacksburg.
David was killed inside the car. Heidi appears to have been shot outside as she attempted to run for safety. A .30-30 rifle—commonly used for deer hunting—was the murder weapon. David’s guitar remained inside the vehicle, untouched. However, several of Heidi’s personal items were missing: her purse, wallet, credit cards, Virginia Tech student ID, lanyard, silver Motorola Razr phone, and silver Sony Cybershot camera.
The scene suggested a possible robbery, but the use of a hunting rifle (not a typical criminal weapon like a handgun) and the execution-style nature of the shootings raised questions. The rifle was likely one that could be stored in a vehicle gun rack, common in rural areas.
Investigation and Evidence
Virginia State Police, along with local and federal authorities (including the FBI), launched a major investigation. In the years following, they released key details:
- DNA Evidence: Investigators collected DNA believed to belong to the killer (or killers). They actively sought samples from locals and area residents for elimination purposes and have continued using advancing forensic technology.
- Vehicle Appeals: In 2012, authorities asked for help identifying owners of specific vehicles seen in the area.
- Reward: A $100,000 reward remains for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Tips can be submitted to Virginia State Police at 540-375-9589 or via their cold case website.
No arrests have been made. The case stays active, with leads still pursued as of 2025–2026 anniversaries. Public tips continue to come in.
Theories and Challenges
The lack of a clear motive has fueled speculation:
- Robbery Gone Wrong: The missing items point to theft, but the weapon and brutality suggest more than a simple opportunist crime.
- Random or Crime of Opportunity: Someone with access to a hunting rifle (possibly a local hunter) may have targeted the isolated spot.
- Witness to Something: Theories about illegal hunting, drugs, or other activity have been discussed but lack strong support, as such motives rarely escalate to double murder in a semi-public area.
The case’s challenges include the rural setting, limited witnesses, and the passage of time. However, DNA and ongoing public interest keep hope alive.
Remembering Heidi and David
The couple’s joint funeral drew over 1,000 mourners. Families and the Virginia Tech community have honored their memories through vigils and continued advocacy for justice. Heidi’s vibrant spirit and David’s thoughtful nature left lasting impressions on those who knew them.
Sixteen years later, their families still seek answers. Virginia Tech Police and State Police regularly post reminders, emphasizing that someone likely knows something.
Why This Case Still Matters
The murders of Heidi Childs and David Metzler represent a devastating loss of potential and a stark reminder of vulnerability. Two young people on a simple date in a beautiful spot had their lives stolen. The killer (or killers) remains free, but advances in DNA technology and persistent investigation offer hope.
If you have any information, no matter how small, contact the Virginia State Police. Tips can be anonymous, and the $100,000 reward could be the key to closure.
Justice for Heidi and David is long overdue.