$21,000 in reward money offered for tips on Vanessa Pham murder

On the one-year anniversary of the murder of Vanessa Pham, which is still unsolved, Fairfax County Police announced a private cash reward of $20,000 has been offered for tips that lead to an arrest. That’s in addition to the $1,000 offered reward from Crime Solvers.

On Sunday, June 27, 2010, police found the 19-year-old college student  inside her car in a ditch off Arlington Boulevard near Williams Drive. She had been stabbed to death.

Video surveillance cameras captured her car leaving the Fairfax Plaza Shopping Center, in the 2900 block of Gallows Road in Merrifield at about 3 p.m. 
She was driving a white 2008 Toyota Scion with an “OBX” sticker and a “SCAD” college sticker on the rear. Police believe she was driving along Route 50 or Route 29 between Nutley Street and Gallows Road before the incident. Police would like people who were there at the time to watch the video and see if they can recall anything.

Anyone with information should contact Fairfax County Police Det. Robert Bond, 703/246-4057, or Crime Solvers, at 1/866-411-TIPS.

The family and friends of Vanessa are encouraging people to honor her memory by celebrating the arts during the week June 27-July 3.

They suggest people see a play, make a scultpure, paint a picture, buy a CD, color with crayons, or do something else artistic and share what they’ve done on the “Celebrate Art, Celebrate Vanessa” Facebook page. The page notes, “Vanessa was extremely talented and passionate about all areas of the arts. She was a painter, sculptor, singer, photographer, actress, comedian, dancer, fashion designer, and dabbled in many other talents as well.”