Woman Beaten To Death At Bethesda Clothing Store; Another Employee Raped
BETHESDA, Md. (WJZ) — Women in Bethesda are on edge after a violent attack in an upscale shopping area. Two employees inside a high-end athletic clothing store were sexually assaulted and severely beaten; one of them was beaten to death.
Derek Valcourt reports police need help finding the killers.
Detectives are still scouring the neighborhood as they search for clues, even asking for the public's help as they search for the two men responsible for this vicious attack.
A video shows Jayna Murray marking her 30th birthday with a bungee jump. Now those who knew her are marking her tragic murder with flowers and cards.
"She was outgoing and very sweet and very thoughtful and full of light," said Janine Heath.
On Friday night, Murray and her 27-year-old coworker closed up the Lululemon store, a high-end yoga boutique in Bethesda. But when they returned to pick up an item one of them forgot inside, police say two men dressed in dark clothing wearing masks and gloves followed them in, beat them and raped them. The store manager found them the next morning. Murray was already dead and the 27-year-old was bound and badly injured.
"Our best witness is also a victim and we are trying to walk that fine line of treating her as a victim and being sensitive to everything she's been through, but also we would like to confirm some of the details with her as well," said Capt. Paul Starks.
The only information they have so far are the suspects' heights: 6' and 5'3". So police are now canvassing businesses for the possibility of helpful surveillance video.
Meanwhile, loyal patrons of Lululemon's, like Robin Haar, are devastated.
"So deeply wounding to everyone with a heart who cares that there are people in the world who could do such a thing," Haar said.
Police call it an apparent robbery-turned-murder.
"I'm still going to come out and go out and do things, but I think I'll be a little more paranoid," said Sasha Ellsbury.
Murray was studying for her MBA at Johns Hopkins. Her parents released this statement:
"The family of Jayna Murray greatly appreciates the many expressions of concern from the community. They currently wish to privately grieve their tremendous loss and are asking for the media's cooperation in respecting their privacy during this traumatic time."
Lululemon Athletica sells yoga clothes and accessories and what it calls "yoga-inspired" athletic apparel. The store is offering a $125,000 reward. CEO Christine Day says in a statement that company officials are "devastated by the tragic events" at the Bethesda store.
Federal Realty in Bethesda has also offered a $10,000 reward, along with a $1,000 reward from Crime Solvers.
