Police investigate death of 16-year old McLean High student
Investigation into Emylee Lonczak’s death ‘criminal in nature’
A criminal investigation is continuing into the death of a 16-year-old McLean High School student whose body was discovered in Vienna last week.
The body of Emylee Lonczak was discovered Aug. 23 in between two expensive homes in the 8200 block of Madrillon Estates Drive in Vienna, about four miles from her own home in the 1500 block of Cedar Ave. in McLean.
Lonczak, who turned 16 on May 23, was a rising junior and would have started school on Sept. 3.
She was an athlete who played lacrosse, field hockey and soccer and was well-known by students and teachers alike.
On Aug. 26, McLean High School principal Ellen Reilly sent a letter to parents about Llonczak’s death.
“It is with great sadness that I must inform you that one of our students died unexpectedly Friday,” she wrote. “Emylee Lonczak was a rising 11th grader at our school. She was a cherished student who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.”
Fairfax County police said Lonczak had been reported by her parents as missing since Aug. 21, two days before her body was found. Police have not released any information about what caused Lonczak’s death, saying only that a medical
examiner will determine the official cause and manner.
Police have also not released much information about the criminal investigation, including whether or not Lonczak died at the location in which she was found, or if her body had been moved there.
Police have only said publicly that no one else is believed to be in any danger.
“There is no threat to the public,” said police spokesman Eddy Ezcarate.
“While there is no threat to the public, police continue to investigate any potential criminality involved in this case,” added police spokesperson Lucy H. Caldwell.
“I can confirm that the investigation is criminal in nature and that detectives are looking into any potential criminal acts that may be involved,” said police spokesman Bud Walker. “This is not obviously something that happens in everyone’s neighborhood. What I can say is that everything that is involved in this case has been identified by the police. There are no outstanding people; there are no outstanding items; there is no outstanding information. People in that neighborhood can rest assured that nothing from this case poses a threat to them or their children.”
Printed on the back of a memorial pamphlet handed out during Lonczak’s visitation at Money & King Funeral Home in Vienna on Tuesday were some lyrics from a song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers: “Eyes wide with revelation. Shine at the police station. And when the verdict comes ‘round, I’m sure that you will go down.” On the pamphlet, the words “Eyes wide” and “will go down” are accented.
A funeral mass for Lonczak Aug. 28 at St. John the Beloved Catholic Church in McLean was attended by about a hundred people. During the service, Lonczak’s twin brother Ethan tearfully remembered time that he spent with his sister. “I remember her best sitting in Starbucks while we both enjoyed our favorite drink, an iced caramel macchiato,” he said. “We would listen to music. It was usually the same music, but that was ok.”
Lonczak is survived by her parents, Don and Virginia Lonczak of McLean; and her brothers Allen, Matthew, Steven, Corey, Evan, and her twin, Ethan. The family recommends that those wishing to make memorial donations for Emylee consider the Special Olympics or a similar organization.
Police are investigating the death of 16-year-old Emylee Lonczak, whose body was found in Vienna last week. Photo courtesy Money & King Funeral Home
Attachments: