Investigation into missing Mason student continues

Bethany Decker, here with her brother Kyle Littlejohn and her son Kai, pose for a photo. Decker, who is a Mason senior, hasn't been heard from since the end of January. (photo provided to C2M by Kyle Littlejohn)

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the disappearance of a Mason student who was last heard from Jan. 29.  After several weeks of not hearing from her, the senior Global and Environmental Change major was reported missing by her family on Feb. 19.

Bethany Anne Decker, 21, was last seen by a friend at her Ashburn apartment at the end of January, according to police, who also found Decker’s car at the apartment complex.  Police said there were no signs in Decker’s apartment that she had planned to leave.  There has also not been any activity on Decker’s Facebook page, credit cards or cell phone, according to investigators.

A Mason spokesman told NBC Washington that Decker was registered for spring 2011 classes and had paid tuition, but did not show up for spring semester classes. Mason Student Government also confirmed to C2M that Decker served as Undersecretary for Sustainability during the 2008-09 academic year.

A Facebook group created to raise awareness of Decker’s disappearance had attracted more than 1,200 members by Wednesday night, but the group’s administrators sent a message late Wednesday saying the page is being shut down.

“Pray for and Support Bethany Decker/Littlejohn and Her Family is being shut down,” the message said. “Sorry, everyone, but I have gotten multiple messages about this event causing harm to the investigation.”

The message went on to say, “All we can do now is pray and wait.”

Decker’s brother, Kyle Littlejohn, told C2M by e-mail Wednesday that his sister “was a very loving character.”

“She was always up beat, energetic and there for anyone that needed help,” Littlejohn said. “She loved George Mason and was very in to the environment. She always strived for perfection and was one of the friendliest and kindest people I know.”

Assistant Chief of University Police George Ginovsky told C2M that Mason Police is not involved in the Loundoun County investigation.

Decker’s husband is currently serving in Afghanistan as part of the National Guard.  He was recently home on leave before returning to Afghanistan on Feb. 2.  According to news reports Wednesday night, Decker’s husband, Emile Decker, 21, has made contact with Loundoun County investigators and police have asked the military for assistance in conducting an electronic face-to-face interview with the guardsman.  Police say Emile Decker is neither a suspect nor a person of interest in the investigation.

On Emile Decker’s most recent return to Afghanistan, Bethany Decker did not attend the guardsman’s sendoff, according to her mother Kimberly Nelson, who said that was unusual.

Decker also has a 17-month-old son who Nelson is caring for while Decker attends school. 

Decker is believed to be about 5 months pregnant and is described at 4 feet 11 inches tall, 130 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.  Any information as to Decker’s whereabouts can be reported to Loudoun County investigators at 703-777-0475.
 

*C2M Senior News Editor Yasmin Tadjdeh contributed to this report.