Accused 'shopping cart' serial killer linked to woman found in D.C., two more victims ID'd

Police in Virginia have released the names of two women they suspect were killed by the alleged "shopping cart killer," and said they may have found a fifth victim in Washington, D.C.

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis told reporters Friday during a press conference that DNA evidence was used to identify Cheyenne Brown, 29, of Washington, D.C., and Stephanie Harrison, 48, of Redding, California, as the victims found Dec. 15 near the Moon Inn Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia.

The last person Brown was seen alive with was Anthony Eugene Robinson, Davis said.

Robinson, 35, of Washington, D.C., is being held in the Rockingham-Harrisonburg Regional Jail in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on two counts of murder and two counts of felony disposal of human remains.

He was arrested in November 2021 and charged with the killing of Allene Elizabeth Redmon, 54, and Tonita Lorice Smith, 39.

Investigators believe the killer transported their bodies, found by police in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in a shopping cart, Davis said.

"We believe he transported at least one of our Fairfax County victims in a shopping cart as well," he said. 

Robinson is the "primary and singular suspect" in the deaths of the third and fourth victims, Brown and Harrison, and criminal charges are expected against him in those cases, Davis said.

A potential fifth victim was found dead this week in a shopping cart in Washington, D.C. after police received a tip, Fairfax County Police Major Ed O’Carroll said. Police did not release the name of the woman, who was found covered only with a blanket.

Robinson's potential involvement "is based on digital evidence that puts him in the same vicinity around the time of the victim's disappearance," O'Carroll said. 

The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department is investigating that case. 

Police tie Robinson to victims through dating apps

Police said Robinson used the dating app Plenty of Fish to lure victims. Cheyenne Brown had connected with him on that app, Davis said. Robinson also used the Tagged dating app, he said.

Investigators believe Robinson targeted his victims on dating sites and met them at motels in Virginia, Davis told reporters last month.

“Our Shopping Cart Killer does unspeakable things with his victims,” Davis said at the time. 

The FBI Behavioral unit is working with Fairfax County police. Robinson had address from New York to Virginia and 35 different law enforcement agencies from New York to Harrisonburg, Virginia (about 130 miles south of Washington) have been looking at missing persons reports as part of the investigation.

"We need any survivor … who may have interacted with (Robinson) and escaped to contact us," Davis said. "And we believe there are survivors out there."

Those with any information can contact the Fairfax County Police Department's Major Crimes Bureau directly at 703-246-7800. Tips can also be submitted anonymously at 1-866-411-TIPS. Police are offering cash rewards for information that leads to additional charges.

Follow Mike Snider on Twitter: @mikesnider.