WAVY.com

$10K reward offered for information on man wanted in connection with 2 homicides in VB

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.

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.