VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The U.S. Marshals Service announced on Tuesday a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of a suspect wanted in two recent Virginia Beach homicide investigations.
Police believe the two incidents are connected to the same suspect: Cola Winborne Beale IV, 30.
Virginia Beach police said a woman’s death in the Campus East area is being investigated as a homicide after a fire broke out at a home Thursday night.
Police also say a fatal shooting on Linda Court is under investigation.
Beale is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and arson in connection with the two deaths. Police said he could face additional charges.
Cola Beale (Photo courtesy: VBPD) 
Cola Beale (Photo courtesy: U.S. Marshals Service)
The first incident happened Thursday, March 24 in the 5500 block of Baccalaureate Drive. Firefighters responded to a call at 7:30 p.m. reporting a fire at that location.
A deceased person, identified Monday as 31-year-old Czavi’er Hill, was found in the Baccalaureate Drive home. Although the house was on fire, police said she died from a gunshot wound.
A pet also died that night at the home.
VBPD said on Friday the incident was being investigated as a “suspicious death.” On Monday, they confirmed it is now a homicide investigation.
Police confirmed Beale and Hill were in a dating relationship.
On Friday, officers were also called to check on the welfare of a person at a home in the 700 block of Linda Court.
When they arrived, officers found 73-year-old Clifton Baxter dead from a gunshot wound.
Beale’s relationship with Baxter is still under police investigation.
Anyone with information on Beale’s whereabouts is asked to call police.
Beale is a convicted sex offender. He pleaded guilty to sexual battery involving a minor in 2018. The U.S. Marshals Service says Beale has a history of possessing firearms and should be considered armed and dangerous.
Submit tips to the U.S. Marshals Service at this link.
** Editor’s Note: Virginia Beach Police on Monday identified the victim in the Linda Court incident as Clifford Baxter. They issued a correction Tuesday that his first name is Clifton.
