Missing women tied to slaying

ASHEVILLE — Crews from multiple agencies will resume searching the French Broad River at 1 p.m. Friday for two missing women whose car was found in the riverbank area near the New Belgium Brewery site Wednesday morning.

The women have ties to a man accused in a slaying this week at Pisgah View Apartments.

Alexandra Brooke King, 22, and Tatianna Diz, 20, were last seen around 9 to 10 p.m. Tuesday leaving their residence at Canterbury Heights Apartments in northwest Asheville, according to the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities suspended the search for the night about 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

On Friday morning, Asheville Police Deparment spokeswoman Christina Hallingse said crews were regrouping. The search will continue in the afternoon with a helicopter and boats from Haywood Road to the dam in Woodfin, she said.

Hallingse would not say if officials are searching anywhere other than that area. "We're following a number of different leads that we have," she said.

The police department confirmed Thursday morning it is investigating a connection between the women and Pierre Lamont Griffin II. Griffin was charged with first-degree murder after the fatal shooting of Uhon Trumanna Johnson on Tuesday night.

On Thursday morning, a team of 15 to 20 investigators combed the land and river near the New Belgium Brewery site at the corner of Craven Street and Emma Road looking for clues.

"We are looking for evidence, anything and everything that might be connected to the missing young ladies," said Sgt. R. Scott Lunsford of the Asheville Police Department. The Highway Patrol was searching a large span of the river by helicopter. Asheville Fire Department had two boats at the scene as investigators searched the waterways.

King's dark blue 1988 Volkswagen Jetta was recovered around 8 a.m. Wednesday on Craven Street at the edge of the French Broad River near New Belgium. Vannessa Diz, sister of Tatianna, said Thursday morning that authorities told the family that the car's front end was in the river but not completely submerged. The two front-windows were smashed and blood was on the driver's seat, she added. Police confirmed that the driver's window was broken out.

Family members have been told that the women, who are partners, were taking Griffin to Deaverview Apartments, less than a mile away from their home, Vannessa Diz said.

She and other family members went down to the river Wednesday night but did not find any clues. "We're just hoping they're OK," Diz said, distraught.

In addition to the police and fire departments and sheriff's office, N.C. Highway Patrol and State Bureau of Investigation were involved in the search, which began at 8 a.m. Two perimeters were set up, and forensic experts were using metal detectors on the gravel near the river bank.

The Buncombe County Sheriff's Department and APD also searched two apartments at Canterbury Heights later in the afternoon. King and Diz live together in one of those apartments.

Griffin's girlfriend was house-sitting for her uncle in an apartment that is directly across from the one where the missing women live.

At a news conference Thursday morning, Police Chief Tammy Hooper and Sheriff Van Duncan offered no insight into the women's whereabouts. Neither official would comment on the connection between Griffin and the women beyond confirming that there is "some connection" and that tie is being fully investigated.

"At this point, we don't know where Tatianna and Alexandra are," Hooper said.

She said the riverfront area is being searched to "try to narrow down if we have a crime scene where that is." The car is still being processed for possible forensic evidence. Hooper said there was evidence in the car that "something" occurred but did not elaborate.

Hooper urged anyone who may have been in the area from Emma Road to Haywood Road between 8-11 p.m. Tuesday to contact the police with information, even if the detail did not seem suspicious.

"Any and all leads and tips will be followed up by our detectives," Hooper said.

Police said the women are considered endangered. Duncan said authorities have met with the families.

Griffin, who was shot by police after a high-speed chase Tuesday night, remains under custody in Spartanburg Regional Hospital in South Carolina.

Residents at Canterbury Heights Apartments said they hadn't seen Griffin around the apartments much, but that the missing women were familiar faces.

The two were kind neighbors who often played with their cat in front of the apartment, said renter Danielle Schuler, 22. Schuler and her friends recently moved into the complex. "They welcomed us to the neighborhood," she said. "They were both really friendly people."

King is described as 5 feet, 11 inches and 120-130 pounds, with short brown hair, a tattoo of a lightning bolt on her right arm and gauges in her ears. Diz is described as 5 feet, 2 inches and 100 pounds with brown curly hair on one side of her head and the opposite side shaved and dyed blonde.

King worked at Cracker Barrel and Tatianna Diz had also worked there at one point, Vannessa Diz said.

King graduated from Owen High School in Black Mountain in 2011. Tatianna Diz was a student at Erwin High School, but withdrew in 2012 and did not return to a Buncombe County school, said spokesman Donnie Porter.

Both also have taken classes at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, but neither has received a degree. Diz had taken classes there up until the spring semester and King until spring 2012. Griffin also took classes at A-B Tech and was last enrolled in spring 2010, according to the school.

King's cousin, Haley Peek, said the two had been together at least two years.

King had hopes of being an engineer, Peek said. Diz was hoping to become a social worker.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office at 828-250-6670 or Crime Stoppers at 828-255-5050.

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

Tuesday:

9 to 10 p.m.: Alexandra King, 22, and Tatianna Diz, 20, are last seen leaving their residence at Canterbury Heights Apartments on Canteberi Court in northwest Asheville, according to the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office.

Sometime Tuesday night: The two give Pierre Lamont Griffin II, 22, a ride to Deaverview Apartments, according to Tatianna's sister, Vannessa Diz. Police have declined to confirm this. Deaverview is less than a mile from Canterbury Heights. Griffin's girlfriend was house-sitting for her uncle in an apartment that is directly across from the one where the missing women live.

10:34 p.m.: Asheville Police Department officers respond to Pisgah View Apartments in West Asheville for the report of a victim suffering a gunshot wound. Uhon Trumanna Johnson, 31, is transported to Mission Hospital, where he later dies of his injuries, spokeswoman Christina Hallingse said. She said Johnson and Griffin were acquaintances, but police have not commented on motive.

Later that night: After the shooting, Griffin flees in the victim's vehicle. A massive multiagency vehicle chase spanning three counties ensues. Griffin is shot by two Henderson deputies in Polk County around 11:30 p.m.

Wednesday:

8:03 a.m.: APD receives a call that an abandoned 1988 Volkswagen Jetta has been pushed down toward the bank of the French Broad River in the River Arts District near New Belgium Brewery. Authorities later determine this was the car that King and Diz were last seen traveling in.

9:53 a.m.: APD announces Griffin is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the Pisgah View shooting. He remains under custody in Spartanburg Regional Hospital in South Carolina, where he was transported for injuries suffered in the vehicle pursuit, police said.

11:06 a.m.: The two women are reported missing to the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office.

Thursday

9:37 a.m.: The Asheville Police Department confirms it is investigating a connection between the women and Griffin. Authorities have declined to elaborate on the connection.

11:30 a.m.: Multiple agencies hold a news conference in downtown Asheville announcing a search of the French Broad River involving boats and a helicopter. Police Chief Tammy Hooper says the women's whereabouts is unknown.