In the quiet community of Smithsburg, Maryland, a grim discovery marked the end of a frantic multi-day manhunt. Inside a grey Ford Edge that had veered off the road after a police pursuit on November 18, 2021, authorities found 35-year-old Tia Bynum, a female, deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. She was in the company of former Baltimore County police officer Robert Vicosa and his two young daughters, all of whom were also found dead in what was determined to be a tragic murder-suicide.
The events leading to the fatal conclusion began days earlier, initiating a sprawling investigation that crossed state lines. Vicosa, who was estranged from his wife, had allegedly abducted his six- and seven-year-old daughters. Bynum, a sergeant with the Baltimore County Police Department, was reported to be with him and was considered a suspect in the abduction. This triggered a desperate search for the two officers and the missing children.
The crime spree escalated with reports of a carjacking, where Vicosa and Bynum were accused of forcing a man at gunpoint to drive them around before releasing him unharmed. This heightened the urgency of the search, with law enforcement agencies from both Maryland and Pennsylvania involved. The pursuit of the suspect vehicle ultimately led to the crash in Smithsburg. When police approached the vehicle, they were unable to make contact with the occupants. A thick layer of smoke inside the car obscured the view.
Upon gaining entry, authorities made the heartbreaking discovery. Bynum was in the driver's seat, while Vicosa and his two daughters were in the back, all having sustained gunshot wounds. An assault rifle and other firearms were recovered from the vehicle. The investigation concluded that Vicosa was the perpetrator of the shootings in a horrific final act. Bynum, who had been suspended from her duties, was wanted for false imprisonment in connection with the initial kidnapping of Vicosa's wife.
