POQUOSON, Va. — Police are trying to find people who had contact with 38-year-old Carl A. Emmett of Newport News, after someone found his body in a pickup truck on February 4.
Emergency dispatchers received a call shortly before 9:30 a.m. The caller said there was an unconscious man inside a small truck on Locust Run, near the intersection with Bunting Lane. The fire department arrived and found Emmett behind the wheel.
Police said there were no visible signs of trauma to Emmett's body.
Family and friends say they want answers.
Michael Bannon said he worked with Emmett for several years at the shipyard in Newport News. He said not only was Emmett a hard worker, but he was also a great guy.
“He was a good man, loving caring, give you shirt off his back,” Bannon said. “He was happy-go-lucky.”
Police believe someone else was driving the truck they found Emmett in. They're now searching for that person. Police said they want to hear from anyone who had contact with Emmett on February 1 or February 2.
“I saw them tow his truck on the news and I said, 'That's him,'” Bannon said.
Bannon tried to fight back tears as he remembered how Emmett, who was younger than him, helped him on the job.
“He taught me a lot of stuff, crane work, I learned from him,” Bannon said.
Emmett's family is offering a $2,500 reward for information to help police solve this case. Bannon is pleading for answers too.
To Emmett's mother, Bannon said, “Mrs. Hawkins, I am so sorry. God bless.”
The police department is working on the investigation with the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office and the Medical Examiner's Office.
Bowen said investigators hoped to talk to anyone who was in touch with Emmett on February 1 or February 2. People with information that could help them can contact the Poquoson Police Department at 757-868-3501.