HANOVER COUNTY - The man charged with murdering his girlfriend in Beaverdam is being held without bond after being arraigned Friday morning
Brian Mallory, 42, is charged with first-degree murder in the violent stabbing death of Sarajane Hakopian. Hakopian was found dead Monday in her home on Beaverdam Road.
Mallory was arrested hours later in Jacksonville, Florida, where he was charged with stealing Hakopian's minivan.
Mallory was extradited back to Virginia late Thursday night.
His next scheduled court date is April 20.
Stay with 8News for updates.
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Statement from Colonel David R. Hines, Sheriff of Hanover County:
I would like to thank each of the media outlets for being here this afternoon and for your professional coverage of the events in Hanover County over the past couple of months.
First, as you all are aware, Brian S. Mallory was arrested in Jacksonville, Florida in the early morning hours on January 31st for the theft of the motor vehicle belonging to Sarajane Hakopian. Upon his arrival later today in Hanover County, he will be charged with her murder on a warrant that has already been obtained for his arrest.
I would like to thank the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for their cooperation and quick response to our needs, which led to the swift apprehension of Brian Mallory. I would also like to thank the community for their continued support of our efforts. Again, I would like to personally thank the media for all of your assistance, especially for broadcasting the vehicle information so quickly.
Within two months our community has dealt with the death of 17-year-old Jyreffe Clark, the slaying of 16-year-old Brett Wells, the killing of 3- year-olds Caroline and Madison King, and most recently the murder of Sarajane Hakopian.
I sincerely thank the community for standing together and supporting the families of these victims. It is clear that Hanover County is full of people who are truly caring and compassionate towards one another. This was no more evident than when our community responded to the call for help in the search for young Robert Wood Jr. just a few months ago, where over 1500 volunteers responded daily. That is what continues to make our County exceptional.
I would also like to thank our law enforcement community and other county agencies, including Hanover County Public Schools, for their contributions to our efforts in these cases.
As for the Sheriff's Office, the community can expect us to continue to operate with a sense of urgency in preventing, deterring, and solving crime. That has been and remains our first priority.
In closing, I hope another message is also heard. Along with our community being compassionate and caring, I would like to say very clearly, if you commit such heinous crimes in Hanover County, you should expect to be apprehended and you will be prosecuted.
Our investigators will be working hand in hand with the Hanover Commonwealth's Attorney's Office in an effort to prepare each of these cases for successful prosecutions; therefore, I will not be able to answer any questions regarding these pending matters.
Again, thank you for your continued assistance and interest in keeping Hanover County safe.
