Unsealed Search Warrant Reveals Details of Murder Case Against Severance

Investigators in the case of Charles Severance have obtained surveillance video footage that links the former Alexandria resident to the slayings of three prominent Alexandrians: Ruthanne Lodato, Ronald Kirby and Nancy Dunning, according to a recently unsealed search warrant originally served in March.

The footage shows a red 1999 Ford Escort driving away from Lodato’s residence around the time of her slaying in February. The search warrant also reveals Severance drove himself to the Russian Embassy in D.C. a month later to seek asylum in what appears to be the same vehicle, The Washington Post reports.

The search warrant revealed more details of the case. According to the search warrant, all three victims were shot multiple times in the upper body with a small caliber weapon. The warrant also reveals at least two people contacted Alexandria police saying a composite sketch of the suspect who shot Lodato looked like Severance.

Prior to the release of the search warrant Wednesday, Alexandria police’s only link among the three cases was a forensic examination of evidence that revealed the same gun was used in all three killings.

Severance was charged with murder in September for the slayings of piano teacher Ruthanne Lodato in February 2014, transportation official Ronald Kirby in 2013 and real estate agent Nancy Dunning in 2003.

Severance faces the following charges:

• Capital Murder, two counts of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, and Malicious Wounding for the February 2014 murder of Ruthanne Lodato.
• Capital Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon for the November 2013 murder of Rob Kirby.
• First Degree Murder and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony for the 2003 murder of Nancy Dunning.​

Severance, who turned 54 on Wednesday, is being held at the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center in Alexandria. Severance’s trial date will be set Thursday and he is scheduled to appear in court in Alexandria on Oct. 23.