On the morning of August 14, 2005, the body of 18-year-old Mary Rachel Carson, known as Shellie, was found under a tree in a traffic circle on Newcastle Road in the Kings Grant neighborhood of Virginia Beach. A passerby called for help; first responders found her with severe head trauma and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Her pink and black bicycle was nearby.

Investigators determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and treated the case as a homicide. Shellie’s shirt had been pulled up and she was naked from the waist down, while her pants were never recovered, suggesting a possible sexual assault. Surveillance from a nearby 7-Eleven shows her leaving on her bike at about 3:50 a.m. after visiting a friend who worked there; witnesses placed her on the bike between about 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., riding toward home. Police interviewed more than 100 people, including Shellie’s boyfriend, who reportedly had a heated argument with her earlier but whose dispute was said to have been resolved.

No arrests have been announced and the case remains unsolved. If anyone knew Shellie, saw her that morning, or has information about the missing pants or her route home, please come forward.