ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, November 9, 1996 TAG: 9611110042
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press
Police were investigating the slayings of two Richmond women whose bodies were found Friday inside the Cloverleaf Mall store where they worked.
The bodies of Cheryl S. Edwards, 25, and Chalita Singleton, 39, were found about 5:15 a.m. in the office of the All For One store, Chesterfield County police Lt. Col. Dennis McDonald said.
Police went to the mall after the family of one of the women called authorities to report that she had not returned from work, McDonald said. He would not comment on whether the store appeared to have been robbed or whether there was any sign of forced entry.
The state medical examiner's office in Richmond confirmed that both women had been stabbed to death.
Cloverleaf Mall general manager Jay B. Lafler said overnight guards were posted at the shopping center when the slayings took place.
He declined to comment on whether he planned to boost security: ``It's a little premature to speculate or talk about. ... We still have no idea what transpired.''
Lafler said he has spoken with the families of the slain employees and that Columbus, Ohio-based All For One sent crisis-management workers to the mall to help family members and other store employees deal with the slayings.
The slayings prompted the mall to stay closed until 5 p.m. All For One will remain closed until its corporate office decides to reopen the store, Lafler said.
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines KEYWORDS: FATALITYby CNB