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Execution-style slaying of Norfolk Navy Lt. remains unsolved

June 24, 2:07 AMNorfolk Crime ExaminerDave Gibson
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Lt. Michael Cox

On April 24, 2008, Navy Lt. Todd Michael Cox was taking an evening walk in his quiet Norfolk neighborhood with his fiancée, his daughter and her daughter when he was approached by an unknown assailant and shot to death. To date, there has not been an arrest in this case, and police have no suspects.

A little after 8:00 p.m.., as the family walked with their dog along Beverly Ave., a blue and white Ford pick up truck drove past them on the dead end street, then turned around and pulled up beside them. Apparently Lt. Cox knew they were in grave danger, as he shoved his fiancée out of the way, the girls ran behind a tree. The man exited the vehicle and shot Cox repeatedly at point blank range.

The killer then calmly walked back to his truck and quietly drove away. He appeared to be in no hurry, even though he had just fired several shots on the quiet street.

Lt. Cox was taken to Norfolk General Hospital, where he was soon pronounced dead.

Lt. Todd Michael Cox, 40 was from Altoona, PA and assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron VAW 125, as an aviation maintenance officer at Norfolk Naval Station. He enlisted in the Navy in 1985 when he was only 17, eventually achieving the rank of Lieutenant.

Laurie Cox, the victim’s ex-wife has appealed to the public for answers in the unsolved murder. She told the Virginian-Pilot that her children have been traumatized and will continue to live in fear until their father’s killer is apprehended.

Cox said: "I need closure for my children. And without knowing anything, or anyone coming forward, there is no closure. There's only constant fear.”

"I mean, my 10-year-old daughter is always looking over her shoulder and wondering if this person is going to come out and get her. She was there. She saw it. So, I don't want my children to live in fear. I want them to have an answer."

Since her ex-husband’s murder, Laurie Cox has moved from Norfolk to Virginia Beach in an attempt to alleviate some of her daughter‘s fears. "I had to get out of Norfolk," she said. "Because she would have a panic attack. I couldn't even get her out of the house."

The killer is described as a black man with a medium complexion, 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches tall and a short haircut.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the man who killed Lt. Michael Cox. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.

More About: Unsolved Crime

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