Henrico Police seek tips in unsolved 1998 double homicide
Henrico Police are asking the public for information that could help solve the 1998 killings of two roommates in the Tuckahoe District.
Officers found Shelly Schantz, 36, and Allen Ripka, 33, dead inside a home in the 300 block of Sleepy Duck Place after responding to a welfare check at about 9:45 a.m. Feb. 11, 1998. Police said both had suffered obvious trauma. An infant in the home was found unharmed.
Detectives initially investigated the possibility of a murder-for-hire plot, but the Police Division’s Cold Case Review Team has since ruled out that theory.
“Henrico Police Cold Case detectives believe Ms. Schantz and Mr. Ripka were shot execution style by a person or persons known to them,” police spokesperson Karina Bolster said. “Despite the years since this incident, detectives remain determined and optimistic that someone in the community will come forward with crucial information to help bring closure to this case.”
Anyone with information may email HPDColdCase@henrico.gov. Anonymous tips may be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 or through P3 Tips. The case also appears in the Virginia State Police Cold Case Database.
