Man found stabbed to death near Hybla Valley apartment complex

Residents of the Meadow Woods Apartments reported seeing police in this area after a man was found stabbed on Fairchild Drive on Friday night.

A 24-year-old man was stabbed to death last night near an apartment complex in the Hybla Valley area.

Police officers on patrol found Luis Ernesto Bonilla suffering from wounds to the upper body in the 7100 block of Fairchild Drive (see map) around 11:15 p.m. last night, according to a Fairfax County Police press release. The location is near the Meadow Woods Apartments complex. 

Luis Bonilla (Facebook image)

Officers and other first responders tried to revive Bonilla at the scene but were unsuccessful. A large search of the surrounding area ensued, including K9 units and the Fairfax1 police helicopter, but no suspects or witneses were found.

Bonilla was found in a wooded area near the apartments, according to police, and residents of the apartments identified the crime scene as being near a picnic area at the eastern edge of the complex’s property.

Bonilla lived on Convair Drive in Hybla Valley, which is less than a mile from the crime scene. He attended West Potomac High School, and many former classmates took to social media Saturday to express shock at his death and share memories of his life.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Needels at 703-246-7904. Tips can also be sent using the Crime Solvers website. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for rewards of $100 to $1,000.

Friday’s homicide appears to be the first murder in the Richmond Highway area in 2017. An 18-year-old Bryant Alternative student murdered in August was last seen near his home on Buckman Road and found in Prince William County; it is not clear where he was killed. 

This story was updated to correct Bonilla’s age.