Virginia sex-offender charged with murder after missing woman found in woods

PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, Va. (WTKR) -- Prince George County Police say they believe remains found in a wooded area in Surry County Thursday morning are that of Corrine Lee Huddleston. Investigators say they are working with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to positively identify the remains.

The 20-year-old Prince George woman was last seen on October 6. Police said Huddleston left a home on Laurel Spring Road in Prince George County and never arrived at her next destination.

Prince George Police arrested Benjamin Franklin Chiarky, 31, Thursday morning, Nov. 12, for the murder of Huddleston. He has been charged with second-degree murder. He was also charged with for felony conspire to distribute a schedule IV drug and for failure to comply with terms and conditions of probation.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports Prince George Police said that the victim and the suspect “were familiar with each other,” but did not elaborate. Police did not say what led investigators to the location where the remains were found.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports Chiarky was on Virginia's sex-offender registry more than 10 years ago after he was convicted in Oct. 2, 2008, of abducting and raping a minor, according to the registry maintained by Virginia State Police. He had been sentenced to 25 years in prison with 17 years suspended, according to online court records.

The Smithfield Times reports police issued a statement: “Police are working with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to positively identify the remains. Investigators do believe the remains are that of Corrine Lee Huddleston."