FRANKLIN, Va. (WAVY) — Wanted on charges of first-degree murder in connection to the shooting death of 10-year-old La’Marj Holden, Tashawnda Drayton evaded custody for 10 months before U.S. Marshals arrested her Thursday.
U.S. Marshals Senior Inspector Robert Bowers said from the start of the investigation they suspected Drayton’s mother, sister and best friend were helping her hide.
“Early on in the investigation, we identified an apartment complex in Virginia Beach where her mother and her sister lived, and we conducted numerous hours of surveillance and we never saw Drayton moving,” Bowers said.
Months later in late December, early January, they learned of an apartment complex in Boykins, Virginia about 25 minutes away from where the original crime took place.
In a press release U.S. Marshals said a relative opened the door to authorities and Drayton surrendered.
Bowers told 10 On Your Side that relative told authorities she was a cousin.
He said surveillance wasn’t easy and they didn’t know what they would be walking into.
“You plan for resistance and you hope for compliance,” Bowers said. “In this case, she complied and came out.”
And Drayton wasn’t quiet while she was running from the law.
“We believe that she continued to create music while she was out being a fugitive,” Bowers said. “We believe her best friend helped her to distribute that music.”
10 On Your Side reached out to the Franklin Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office to see if Drayton’s family will be facing any charges for hiding her, but it has yet to respond.
Bowers said the Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Franklin police departments played huge roles in the case.
The $20,000 reward money will go toward a fund to advertise rewards for high profile cases.