Man Held Without Bond in Strangulation of His Wife

A Virginia man was ordered held without bond Monday after he was charged with the murder of his wife, whose body was found in the Occoquan River.

Andrea Crew was reported missing Thursday. Boaters found her body about 9 a.m. Saturday.

She was strangled before her body was put in the river, according to the medical examiner.

A friend of Andrea Crew said Caleb Crew had been physically and emotionally abusive to his wife but that Andrea, a native of Colombia who did not have family in the United States, wanted to stay with the marriage.

Police were called to the house July 1 when, according to neighbors, Andrea Crew ran from the house looking for help because Caleb Crew, 25, poured motor oil on her head during an argument. The couple went to a court hearing about the assault Wednesday, but the charge was dropped. Andrea Crew never returned home.

Caleb Crew grew up in Woodbridge, Va., and served as a Marine in Afghanistan. His brother, Owen Crew, said in court that the couple had marital problems recently but that they were in counseling.

Owen Crew said he learned of Andrea's disappearance through a Facebook post from his brother last week.

"From what I know of Caleb, I find it very difficult to believe he would have done this, but as I said, I have very little information about the details," Owen Crew said.

The couple had two children, both girls, one 4 years old and one 11 months old. The children are in the custody of Child Protective Services, but Owen Crew said his family is hoping another brother will be able to take care of the girls.

"We're hoping to have them in the custody of family soon," he said.

Stay with News4 and NBCWashington for more on this developing story.

Contact Us