SUFFOLK, Va. — Investigators say the body of a woman found in Suffolk has been identified as 34-year-old Cynthia Carver, who vanished out of Southampton County nearly a month ago.
Carver's body was found Tuesday in the southern part of the city, and the Medical Examiner's Office positively identified her on Wednesday morning. Her family has been notified.
Before the body was identified, neighbors were still holding out hope.
One long time neighbor who didn’t want to be identified out of fear, told 13New Now she was still praying for the mother’s safe return.
"I just want to know good news. That's all. I never put two and two together and I want to think positive and that she’ll come home,” she said.
Suffolk Police released few details surrounding the discovery of the body Tuesday morning. Investigators have not provided an exact location.
Carver was last seen alive on February 21, when she dropped her children off at a babysitter's house.
Carver, a correctional officer, didn't show up at work the next morning, causing her family to worry.
The Southampton County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI began investigating her disappearance as an abduction after signs of violence were found in her house.
Documents show that when deputies went to Carver’s home, they found blood on clothes, sheets, the floor, and in the driveway.
"This has never happened in this little small area at all. I mean, everybody's just on pins and needles,” a neighbor said prior to the identification of the body. “Of course everybody is afraid. We're keeping the lights on in the neighborhood as well."
Documents also show that police got search warrants to search Carver’s tablet and phone for dating apps, communication apps, and social media accounts.
Southampton deputies, along with other law enforcement agencies, are continuing the investigation to determine who is responsible for Carver's death. Anyone with information can call 757-609-2482.