The Campbell County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in the double homicide of a Campbell County couple found dead in their home on Friday, according to a sheriff’s office press release.
Robert Lee Philbrook, 27, was arrested Tuesday and charged with two counts of second degree murder, two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
He is charged with killing his grandparents, John Victor Philbrook, 73, and Virginia Ann Philbrook, 71, of 186 Sleepy Hollow Road, Lynchburg, which is in Campbell County.
The sheriff’s office held a news conference Wednesday to announce the arrest and provide more details about the investigation into the homicides. Sheriff Steve A. Hutcherson and Maj. L.T. Guthrie spoke to reporters.
Guthrie said the sheriff’s office received a call Friday morning requesting a welfare check at the home of John and Virginia Philbrook. Their neighbors had not seen them in a few days and were concerned about them.
When deputies arrived at the scene, they found John Philbrook dead in the living room area of the home and Virginia Philbrook dead in the bedroom. Both had suffered gunshot wounds.
Guthrie said the investigation revealed that the couple’s grandson, Robert Philbrook, had moved into their home in November 2012, but had been in Charlotte, N.C. between Feb. 12 and Feb. 15.
Unclaimed mail and newspapers were present in the Philbrooks’ box for the same time frame, Guthrie said.
He said Robert Philbrook had been developed as a suspect based on potential evidence that he would not discuss.
Deputies arrested Robert Philbrook at Lynchburg General Hospital in Lynchburg, where he was being treated, but had not been admitted, according to Hutcherson. He did not know what medical conditions Robert Philbrook had or was being treated for.
Guthrie identified Robert Philbrook as the son of John and Virginia Philbrook’s daughter. His grandparents had raised him for the majority of his life, and he had attended Brookville High School, Guthrie said.
At some point, Robert Philbrook had moved to North Carolina, but had returned to live with his grandparents late last year, Guthrie said.
Guthrie would not speculate on a motive in the case, nor would he indicate what neighbors of the couple had said about the relationship between Robert Philbrook and his grandparents.
He also would not comment on the type of weapon used in the homicides.
Guthrie said there were no signs of a struggle in the house, but there were signs that someone had been in the home.
Guthrie said investigators believe the couple was killed sometime between Feb. 12 and Feb. 15, but said it was probably closer to Feb. 12.
He did not know what Robert Philbrook’s felony conviction had been for.
Hutcherson said John Philbrook had been a law enforcement officer in Spring Lake, N.J., before retiring. He characterized Virginia Philbrook as “bedridden.” He said the Philbrooks had lived in the area for over 20 years.
Robert Philbrook is being held without bond in the Blue Ridge Regional Jail.
Hutcherson thanked the investigators and deputies of the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the following offices for their help in bringing about a quick arrest: the Lynchburg Police Department, the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office, the Altavista Police Department, the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and the Campbell County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.