Cold Case Homicide

On Tuesday, July 16, 1985, a 5:30 a.m., Virginia Beach fire fighters responded to a report of a car fire in the 4100 block of First Colonial Road in Bayville Farms. The vehicle was completely consumed with fire. Once the fire was extinguished, a body was found inside the passenger compartment of a green 1972 Dodge Swinger with a vinyl top bearing a Pennsylvania license. It was determined that the fire had been intentionally set after being driven into the field.

An autopsy indicated that the body was that of Raffaella G. Bryant and that she had been strangled before the fire.

Bryant was last seen leaving work at the Lemon Tree Restaurant on 18th Street and Atlantic Avenue at 12:20 a.m. that morning. She was scheduled to pick up her 2 1/2-year-old child from a baby sitter. Her purse was found on Shore Drive, a mile west of Atlantic, with money and jewelry inside.

Raffaella was a 20 year old white female who had dark brown eyes with black hair. She was 5' 6" tall weighing 125 pounds.

Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call Virginia Beach Crime Solvers at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP .

Callers remain anonymous and could receive a reward of up to a $1,000 if their information leads to an arrest.