In the quiet community of Draper, Virginia, a dark story unfolded in the winter of 2022, culminating in the tragic death of 52-year-old Johnny Raymond Thomas, a male resident of Pulaski. The last time anyone had contact with Thomas and his 25-year-old girlfriend, Jamie Leigh Frazier of Dublin, was on December 14, 2022. What happened in the intervening time would only come to light after a grim discovery the following month.
On January 14, 2023, a body was recovered from the cold waters
of the New River in the Delton area of Pulaski County. The deceased was identified as Johnny Raymond Thomas, and the cause of his death was determined to be homicide as a result of gunshot wounds. The discovery of Thomas's body immediately raised concerns for the welfare of his girlfriend, Frazier, as evidence indicated they were together when they were last heard from. The search for Frazier would continue until her body was also recovered from the New River. The medical examiner confirmed that she too had been shot to death.
The investigation into the double homicide led by the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office pointed to 52-year-old Mark David Weiss of Draper as the alleged perpetrator of the murders. Investigators believe that after killing Thomas and Frazier, Weiss disposed of their bodies in the river. Weiss was subsequently arrested and faced a litany of charges, including two felony warrants for second-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a violent convicted felon, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He was also charged with arson, two felony counts of concealing a dead body, and felony destruction of evidence.
Three other individuals were also implicated in the aftermath of the killings and faced charges for their alleged roles in attempting to cover up the crime. Ashley Nichole Edwards, 36, and Terrence Wade Edwards, 57, both from Draper, were charged with two felony warrants each for accessory to murder after the fact and felony destruction of evidence. Terrence Edwards also faced a charge of arson. An 18-year-old from Draper, Nolan Michael Neil, was arrested on charges including two felony warrants for concealing a dead body, two felony warrants for accessory to murder after the fact, felony destruction of evidence, and arson. Following his arrest, Mark David Weiss was held at the New River Valley Regional Jail without bond.
