Missing high school student found dead in pond days after disappearing; 4 suspects arrested

HENRICO, Va. (WWBT/Gray News) - Authorities in Virginia say four people are facing charges in connection with the death of an 18-year-old high school student.

According to the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, Devonti Gregory, 20, Kennady Jade Lambert, 18, Rashad Antonio Mayfield, 23, and Jaden Lamont Phillips, 19 were taken into custody on Thursday.

Authorities said a missing person’s case started on March 26 when Jayden McComber, a Hopewell High School student, was reported missing.

On Tuesday, the case turned into a homicide investigation after the 18-year-old was found dead with his body recovered from a pond in a rural area of the Sparta community.

Investigators in Caroline County, with the help of Henrico police and the U.S. Marshals, executed a search warrant Thursday morning at a Henrico-area home, connected to Mayfield.

In the search, authorities said they found personal items that were believed to have been in McComber’s possession at the time he went missing.

Authorities said Mayfield was arrested during a traffic stop, with the other three suspects taken into custody at an area apartment complex.

The sheriff’s office said investigators also had recovered McComber’s car over the weekend in Virginia Beach.

According to investigators, the vehicle was processed for forensic evidence that assisted them in finding McComber’s body and those believed to be responsible for his death.