Prince William County police have arrested a second suspect in connection to a death investigation that began last month in the 13200 block of Trowbridge Drive.

Jonathan Alberto Aguilar, 21, of Hazelton Drive in Woodbridge, was taken into custody on March 24 and charged with concealment of a dead body. He is being held without bond, and a court date has not yet been set. Police previously arrested Maurice Jermaine Waller on February 20 in connection with the same case. Both men are accused of transporting and concealing the remains of Robert Patrick Hearn, 42, of Annandale, whose body was discovered in the roadway on February 8. Officers responded to the scene at 7:17 a.m. that morning, where they found Hearn's decomposed body. An autopsy determined there were no immediate signs of trauma, and detectives believe he died elsewhere before his body was moved to Trowbridge Drive. Police say the case does not appear to be random. The investigation remains ongoing. More police blotter:

Prince William County:

Homicide-Related Arrest – Second Suspect Charged

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Stafford County leaders are responding to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s recent veto of SB1307, a bill that would have allowed counties and cities across Virginia to hold voter referendums on implementing a 1% local sales and use tax dedicated to public school construction and renovation projects.

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Drivers should expect delays on Route 28 (Centreville Road) as the Virginia Department of Transportation begins repairs to the bridge over Bull Run, located at the Fairfax County and Prince William County line.

Weather permitting, the work will involve single-lane closures between March 31 and April 24, during daytime hours:

Southbound Route 28 (Centreville Road) right lane closures:

• March 31–April 3
• April 7–10
• 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day

Northbound Route 28 right lane closures:

• April 14–17
• April 21–24
• 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day

VDOT advises drivers to seek alternate routes and use caution in work zones.

Manassas to Strike Bypass from Transportation Plans

The bridge repairs come just as the City of Manassas is working to officially remove the Route 28 Bypass project from its long-term transportation planning documents. During the March 24, 2025, City Council meeting, City Manager Steven Burke told elected leaders:

“We are developing opportunities for Council’s consideration regarding the elimination of the Route 28 Bypass Project.”

The bypass — once intended to redirect traffic away from city streets through a new highway in the floodplain west of Manassas — was canceled earlier this year after mounting environmental concerns, ballooning costs, and sustained community opposition. The bypass was slated to take over 50 homes by extending Godwin Drive across the Bull Run to Fairfax County.

Vega: “Let’s Widen the Road We Have”

Following the cancelation, Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega issued a directive in late February urging local and state officials to focus on widening Route 28 along its current footprint rather than building new roadways.

“The people along Route 28 have waited long enough for relief,” Vega said. “Let’s widen the road we have.”

Vega’s proposal includes:

• Expanding the road to three lanes in each direction
• Installing new traffic signals
• Adding sidewalks and crosswalks to improve safety
• Vega also urged Prince William County transportation staff to redirect funding originally allocated for the bypass to the new widening plan, marking a significant shift in the region’s transportation priorities.

VRE Planning Tied to Route 28 Corridor

Meanwhile, Virginia Railway Express (VRE) coordinates closely with the SJR 28 Moves legislative subcommittee, which studies long-term transportation and transit options for the Route 28 corridor.

During its March board meeting, VRE staff said the agency’s System Plan 2050 will feed directly into the subcommittee’s recommendations, expected by the end of this year. The effort could result in legislation to fund multi-modal solutions, including bus and rail improvements, along the busy corridor.

The paint job on an antique ambulance that roams the streets of Fredericksburg hints that a story behind this truck is waiting to be told. Was it part of the British Royal Air Force stationed in Lossiemouth, Scotland? Was it connected to Prince Harry?

Did it see time in the Falkland Islands war in the early 1980s?

Answers to these questions aren’t etched in stone, but one thing is for sure: “It drives like a tank,” said owner Hamilton Palmer, a resident of Fredericksburg who owns the ambulance, which has become a novelty of sorts.

What is known about it started with the British Royal Air Force, which used it at their fighter base in Lossiemouth, Scotland, in 1973. They owned this ambulance made by a company called Marshall, but something happened to the wheel structure, so it now sits on a 1983 Land Rover frame. One of the previous owners, Ed Wallis in Stafford County, kept it in his yard near the Stafford Airport, where he was the airport director. He brought it over from Europe and sold it to Palmer.

Palmer does know some things about his ambulance, which has a for-sale sign on the front seat. He’ll sell it to someone who’s serious about buying, but he’s not really advertising it anywhere. He does drive it around town a bit and seems to like the novelty of owning this collector’s item. You better hope Mike Wolfe from the “American Pickers” show doesn’t show up with a wad of cash.

“I’ve seen it around, but I don’t know anything about it,” said a woman passing by on the sidewalk.

When Wallis was the airport director, Palmer was one of the officials there, too, which led to the ambulance transaction in 1989. Somehow, he drove it over from the airport and fixed it up a bit.d

Palmer went into the database of British Military Vehicles, matched the Vehicle Identification Number, or “VIN” as they say around the garage, and became entrenched in his ambulance’s capabilities.

It’s powered by a Land Rover 225 engine, and in the back, there was room for two people on stretchers as well as mounting brackets for two more stretchers. “You could put four people in here and two bodies on top,” he said. There is a NATO-sized plug in the back and the gas tank nozzle is under the front passenger seat. The windows in the back are treated with a substance that makes them “black out” in case it is in combat, and there’s a rack on the front that is used to push airplanes off the runway when needed.

“I drive it once a week,” Palmer added. He did loan it to the Historical Fredericksburg Foundation once but hasn’t entered any parades. Some have asked about refurbishing it but Palmer’s not enthusiastic. There’s NATO camouflaged paint and red crosses on the side, and it’s registered with the DMV.  “As far as I’m concerned, it’s preserved,” he said.

The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Operations Board has authorized a comprehensive painting and surface restoration project for the Woodbridge Station, aiming to enhance both the facility’s longevity and the passenger experience.

The project, assigned to Fresh Air Cleaning LLC, encompasses extensive preparation work, including sandblasting and sealing, before repainting. This initiative is part of VRE’s ongoing life-cycle maintenance strategy to uphold and improve its facilities.

During the public comment segment of the March 2025 board meeting, Prince William County resident Alfred Williams, 84, highlighted the challenges senior passengers face when purchasing tickets at the station.

“I had to go to Washington, D.C., and there was no way to buy a senior ticket at the machine,” Williams stated. “They charged me full price, and I had to call in to get a refund. There used to be a vendor at the station, someone I could talk to, but not anymore.”

Williams advocated for reinstating an in-person ticket agent or vendor between Woodbridge and Alexandria to assist senior riders and others struggling with electronic kiosks.

Board members and staff acknowledged his concerns and encouraged him to contact VRE’s planning team directly for further assistance.

The Woodbridge Station repainting is scheduled to commence in the coming months. VRE officials hope that the refreshed station will provide a more welcoming environment for all passengers.

Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School senior Rania Lateef is no stranger to hard work and high achievement. As one of just 40 national finalists in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors, Rania has earned her place among the country’s top young scientific minds.

Rania, who also attends the Governor’s School at Innovation Park in Prince William County, was recognized for her research on the effects of disrupted sleep and circadian rhythms—particularly blue light exposure—on mental and physical health outcomes. She presented her project in Washington, D.C., to renowned scientists during a weeklong competition, earning $27,000 and competing for awards totaling $1.8 million.

“My research journey started with Mrs. Brown at Colgan High School and culminated with Dr. P at the Governor’s School,” said Rania. “I’m truly grateful for their unwavering support and guidance.”

She also credited the opportunities offered by Prince William County Public Schools—like science fairs and the Virginia Junior Academy of Science—for preparing her for success.

“I would have never been exposed to this if it wasn’t for all these opportunities,” Rania told the School Board on March 19. “Thank you for helping students like me reach this level.”

School leaders recognized her academic excellence and passion for science as part of the school division’s Thriving Futures Focus, a spotlight on students making outstanding contributions at the state and national levels.

“This is my daughter,” School Board Chairman Dr. Babur Lateef said during the meeting. “I think she pointed out very well that the school division is really committed to science and opportunities for our students across all STEM categories, and we’ve spent a lot of time and energy on that. And I think for parents and students alike, we are very grateful for the commitment the school division has… I think it just leads to just great success for students everywhere, so we’re very grateful, so thank you.”

Rania’s mentors, including AP Biology teacher Stephanie Brown and school counselor Lisa Sharp, joined her for the recognition.

Looking ahead, Rania says she plans to pursue further research in science and medicine—fields where she’s already making a name for herself.

Editor’s Note: Rania Lateef is the daughter of Prince William County School Board Chairman At-large Dr. Babur Lateef.

A driver died following a single-vehicle crash on Linton Hall Road near Glenkirk Road on Monday, March 24, 2025.

Police said the crash occurred at 9:48 a.m. when a 2019 Toyota Highlander traveling north on Linton Hall Road crossed into the southbound lanes, left the roadway, and struck a guardrail. The vehicle then went down an embankment, became airborne, rolled over, and came to rest on its side in a field.

The driver, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was taken to a hospital, where she later died.

Police identified the deceased as Marat Lise Essex, 52, of Bristow.

Investigators ask anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact the police. The investigation is ongoing.

As Stafford County continues to experience rapid population growth, school officials are moving forward with plans to open two new elementary schools—ES18 and ES19—in Fall 2026. These additions aim to relieve overcrowding in existing schools and are central to the school division's redistricting plans under Scenario Green, which is currently under public review.

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