A Virginia woman who admitted to killing three roommates and leading police on a high-speed chase through New York has been sentenced to nearly a century behind bars.
Alyssa Venable, 24, was sentenced on Friday to 99 years in a state penitentiary for the triple murder of Gregory Scott Powell, Carol Anne Reese, and Robert John McGuire, all of whom were killed in June 2024. She was also given an additional 14 years for a felony firearms charge.
The Triple Murder
The horrifying discovery of the triple murder came to light on June 4, 2024, when one of Venable’s roommates returned to their shared Fredericksburg home and found a body.
Deputies later arrived to find the other two victims also dead. Venable, however, had fled the scene, and authorities quickly issued a public alert, considering her armed and dangerous.
The High-Speed Chase
After the killings, Venable’s car was spotted in New York, where she was pursued by police. On I-86 in Steuben County, New York State Police attempted to stop her, but she ignored the officers and drove at speeds of up to 100 mph.
The pursuit ended when police successfully used a tire-deflating device, causing Venable to crash her car. She was arrested at the scene.
Venable’s Mental Health and Criminal History
Before the killings and her flight from police, Venable’s grandmother had voiced concerns about her granddaughter’s mental state. She had reportedly expressed feelings of desperation and self-harm and had even told a friend that she “hurt people.”
Authorities also discovered that Venable had left behind instructions for her dog’s care and shared a note saying she planned to kill herself in California.
Venable’s criminal history dates back to March 2019, starting with charges of shoplifting and later expanding to charges of property damage, petit larceny, reckless driving, and assault and battery.
The brutal killings and Venable’s actions afterward left the community shaken. The 99-year sentence reflects the severity of her crimes, and the additional charges serve as a reminder of the serious consequences of criminal actions.
This case also highlights the importance of mental health support and early intervention in preventing such tragedies.
