The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, July 21, 1996                 TAG: 9607210053
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                        LENGTH:   25 lines

DETECTIVES SEEK CLUES ABOUT PAIR SHOT TO DEATH IN PORTSMOUTH

Two people were found shot to death in an apartment in the 600 block of Douglas Avenue early Saturday morning, Portsmouth police reported.

As of Saturday night, police had no suspects or motive for the killing.

Detectives were still working on the case.

The two victims were identified as Devona Marla Byars, 25, of Lyontine Lane in Portsmouth; and Leon Porter, 26, of Cedar Lane in Portsmouth.

Police spokeswoman Amber Whittaker said it was unclear what the victims' relationship was, why they were at the apartment, or what they were doing before they were killed.

The shooting apparently occurred between midnight and 4 a.m.

Police apparently were called by someone who found the bodies, Whittaker said.

Anyone who has any information about the crime should call the Portsmouth detective bureau at 393-8536 or the Portsmouth crime line at 488-7777, Whittaker said.

KEYWORDS: MURDER SHOOTING by CNB