It was the death of a couple that stunned the Triad and shocked the Rockingham County community.
Now more than three years later an arrest in the murders of Troy and LaDonna French. The couple was murdered in their home in 2012. Community members have kept blue ribbons up in memory of the couple. They said they would not remove them until justice has been served.
On Tuesday, the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office said they arrested Jose Alvarez, Jr., 28, he's the brother of the man who's married to the Whitley French, the couple's daughter. Alvarez was arrested in Greensboro. He's charged with two counts of First-degree murder in connection to the French murders and is being held in the Rockingham County jail on no bond.
During a news conference investigators said they have not developed a motive at this time. They also wound not say how Alvarez was developed as a suspect.
District Attorney, Craig Blitzer said, "We hope this arrest will bring some peace and some closure to the families of Troy and LaDonna French." Investigators said they can't comment on whether there are any additional suspects at this time.
Crime Timeline
February 2012:
- Ladonna and Troy French were found shot to death inside their home in the Bethany community near Reidsville.
- Dispatchers received a call about a home invasion from someone on Pinewood Road just after 2:00 a.m. the morning they were found dead.
- Their daughter Whitley French was injured in the home invasion and treated for cuts.
- Investigators said preliminary information revealed the suspect was a male.
October 2012:
- The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office held a news conference with updates.
- Sheriff Sam Page revealed they had a DNA profile of the killer that confirmed it was a man.
- Sheriff Page stated about the killer, "DNA is unique to you." He also stated, "You can run, but you can't hide from your DNA."
- Investigators stated that the DNA didn't match anything stores in the state or national databases.
- Sheriff Page revealed the murder weapon was a Hi Point 9mm handgun and that the gun belonged to one of the victims.
- Investigators also said Troy French told his family that the gun was missing in Dec. 2011. Sheriff Page at the time stated that the killer likely had a connection to the family and could have known them well enough to get the gun from the house.
January 2013:
- Gov. Pat McCrory offers a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. The Crimestoppers reward money is later increased to $6,000.
Whitley's Account Of Attack
- The couple's daughter, Whitley French told investigators on the early morning hours of Feb. 4 she awoke to a stranger in her bedroom.
- She said as she screamed the intruder ran from her room and her parents ran to help her.
- She also stated once downstairs the intruder began shooting at her parents.
- She was age 19 at the time of the murders
Living Next Door To The Pain
LaDonna's parents can't escape the heartache - they live right next door to where their daughter was murdered.
Donald and Nancy Moseley, sat down with WFMY News 2.
"There I was next door and couldn't save them," Nancy Moseley said. "And that hurts." She added, "I would say to the people that did this horrible thing to keep looking over your shoulder cause somebody's watching you."
Hunter French On Parent's Memory and Baseball
Hunter French the couple's son was 14 at the time of their murders. He's a senior at Greensboro Day School where he also plays baseball.
Last year Hunter invited WFMY News 2's Morgan Hightower to his baseball practice. He shared with her about the dreams he and his parents shared. The game of baseball is a passion both he and his parents shared. His mom would bring him dinner between practices and his dad played catch with him.
Hunter remembers his dad saying, "Always keep your eye on the ball."
Hunter hasn't forgotten his father's advice, and certainly hasn't stopped working toward the dream they shared to play college baseball.
Hunter also shared with WFMY News 2, "If my parents were here today, I know they would be proud of everything that I am accomplishing whether it is in my academics, in baseball or in my service to the community."
Ice Cream Shop Opens In Memory Of French Family
An ice cream shop in Wentworh opened in 2012 thanks to LaDonna and Troy's constant encouragement. Troy's brother and sister-in-law, Craig and Shannon French, own it. They decided to open Koolies after getting so much encouragement from the couple.
Troy and LaDonna's picture hangs over the counter.
It's a reminder to every customer of the pain that's led to this perseverance -- not that anyone in this community has forgotten. Every scoop here sends a message -- especially for whoever killed the couple.
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