The end of 2009 was a time of celebration for most, but for the families of Tracy O'Neal Scott and Angela LaVerne Moore, it marked the beginning of an agonizing period of silence and uncertainty. The couple was last seen on the night of December 28, 2009, at a nightclub on Broad Rock Boulevard in South Richmond, Virginia. After that evening, all communication ceased. Worried family members soon reported them missing to the Henrico County Police Department, setting off a desperate two-week search that ended in the most devastating way imaginable.
Tracy O'Neal Scott, a 41-year-old Black man, was remembered by those who knew him as a good man with an entrepreneurial spirit. An entry in his memorial guest book recalled his great customer service when selling a mattress to a family, a small but telling detail of his character. He was part of a close-knit family, leaving behind a devoted brother, Wendell R. Scott Sr., a sister, Doreen Scott, a cousin, Reverend Tammy Scott, and an uncle, Deacon Leo Scott Sr., along with nieces, nephews, and many friends who cherished their memories of him. His companion, Angela Moore, was a 42-year-old mother from Henrico County, remembered for her generosity and warmth. She was a beloved mother to her children, Keyarna Lee and Jordon Moore, and a cherished daughter, stepdaughter, and granddaughter.
The frantic search for the missing couple concluded on the afternoon of January 12, 2010. At approximately 2:51 p.m., police were called to the Kingly Ones apartment complex in the 1900 block of Hopkins Road in Richmond. Inside a vehicle parked in the complex's lot, they made a grim discovery: the bodies of both Tracy Scott and Angela Moore. An investigation by the Richmond Police Department quickly determined that both had been shot to death, turning a missing persons case into a double homicide investigation. The news sent a wave of shock and grief through the community, leaving two families to grapple with a sudden and violent loss.
The area where the couple was found was known to struggle with crime, and the brutal nature of the killings deeply unsettled residents. In the days that followed, the community rallied in support of the grieving families. A vigil was held on the Saturday after their bodies were discovered, drawing a crowd of at least 100 people to the South Richmond neighborhood. The event, organized by the group Citizens Against Crime, was attended by friends, family, and Richmond police officers, all coming together to honor the couple's memory and to pray for justice. Angela Moore's daughter, Keyarna Lee, spoke at the vigil, expressing a touching hope for forgiveness and faith that the person responsible would be caught. "Even if this person doesn't get caught through the system, I know that God has the last word," she said.
Funeral services were held for both victims. Tracy Scott's homegoing service took place at the Sharon Baptist Church, and he was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Angela Moore's funeral was held at St. Paul's Baptist Church, with interment at Signal Hill Memorial Park. These final farewells brought an outpouring of love and support but could not answer the questions that haunted their loved ones. Who had committed this terrible act, and why?
Years have passed since the deaths of Tracy Scott and Angela Moore, but the case remains an active and unsolved homicide with the Richmond Police Department. No suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made, leaving a void in the lives of their families. The investigation continues, holding onto the hope that a new lead, a witness stepping forward, or a breakthrough in forensic technology could finally bring answers and justice. As of January 2010, the case remains open. The Richmond Police Department urges anyone with information to come forward and contact Detective Sergeant George Wade at (804) 646-6741.