Missing Virginia Man Found Dead Weeks After Disappearance as Homeowner Is Charged With Murder

A Virginia man who had been missing for nearly a month has been identified as the victim of a homicide after investigators discovered human remains at a property in Portsmouth.

Police identified the victim as 47-year-old Gordon Randolph Tillman Jr. A 53-year-old man who lived at the property, Gregory Michael Coffey, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and defiling a dead body.

Family Reported Tillman Missing

The investigation began on September 2, when Tillman’s brother, Raymond Poole, reported him missing to Portsmouth police.

Poole told investigators that he had last seen his brother on September 1. Tillman was known to spend time at a property on Elliott Avenue in Portsmouth.

The following day, Poole went to the property looking for his brother. Police said Poole encountered Coffey, who lived at the home, and shot him during the confrontation.

Coffey survived the shooting and was hospitalized for several days. Poole was later arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder in connection with that incident.

Police Search the Property

As detectives continued investigating Tillman’s disappearance, investigators developed information that led them to seek a search warrant for the Elliott Avenue property.

Police executed the warrant on September 21. A multi-agency investigation and excavation followed as detectives searched the property for evidence connected to Tillman’s disappearance.

Human remains were eventually recovered at the location. Investigators later confirmed through fingerprint analysis that the remains belonged to Tillman.

Homeowner Arrested

On September 30, authorities took Coffey into custody.

He was charged with first-degree murder and defiling a dead body. Police have not publicly announced a motive for Tillman’s death.

Authorities have also not released all of the evidence gathered during the search. Police Chief Stephen Jenkins said some search warrants connected to the investigation remain sealed.

Family Wants Justice

Tillman’s mother and aunt attended a police news conference after authorities confirmed his identity.

His mother said she wanted justice for her son and thanked investigators for continuing to work on the case.

Police said the investigation remains active as detectives work to establish what happened to Tillman and the circumstances surrounding his death.

Another Arrest Stems From the Investigation

The case has also resulted in a separate criminal charge. Poole remains charged with attempted second-degree murder over the September 3 shooting of Coffey.

Investigators are continuing to examine the relationship between the people involved and the events that occurred at the Elliott Avenue property.

The charges against Coffey are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Sources

• WTKR News 3 — “Portsmouth man faces murder, defiling charges after missing man’s remains found outside Elliott Avenue home” — September 30, 2026.
• WTKR News 3 — “Portsmouth police identify homicide victim, suspect in custody after Elliott Avenue investigation” — September 30, 2026.
• N’ Cuffs — “Human remains identified as missing Portsmouth man, suspect in custody” — September 30, 2026.