Two dead at Tazewell County pizza parlor
Staff reports
CLAYPOOL HILL, Va. — A Virginia State Police helicopter took aerial photographs of the scene late Monday morning as investigators with the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office continued their search for leads into a possible double homicide at the Pizza Plus restaurant in Claypool Hill, Va.
Two employees of the restaurant, a husband and wife, were found dead at 8:45 a.m. Monday morning by another co-worker, Tazewell County Sheriff H.S. Caudill said.
Officials identified the victims as Harvey Looney, 52, and Valerie Looney, 48, of the Bandy area of Tazewell County.
Caudill said Harvey Looney was found outside at the back of the restaurant, while Valerie Looney was discovered near the back door.
The employees were working last night, and were still on duty when other employees left the restaurant, Caudill said.
Caudill said two Tazewell County deputies, as well as several local residents, were at the restaurant last night having dinner around 10 p.m. The restaurant usually closes around 10 p.m. — or shortly after, if patrons are still eating.
The establishment closes, employees clear the restaurant and do inventory, Caudill said. Investigators are interviewing those at the restaurant last night for possible leads. A K-9 unit dog checked the scene, but did not find a trail, he said.
Caudill said the case is currently being investigated as a homicide until investigators “can rule otherwise.â€
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