The Latest: Text messages cited in Virginia teen-slaying

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – The Latest on two former Virginia Tech students charged with kidnapping and killing a 13-year-old girl (all times local):

1:10 p.m.

Prosecutors cited text messages found on a defendant’s cellphone in the case against two former Virginia Tech students charged with kidnapping and killing a 13-year-old girl.

At a Friday hearing, prosecutors entered into evidence text messages taken from David Eisenhauer’s cellphone. One message said that if the body isn’t found for a week, “it will never be traced.” Another mentioned engaging in “overkill,” and a third said the young teen had been “blackmailing another guy too.”

Judge Robert Viar Jr. ruled there was sufficient evidence to refer the case to a grand jury.

Eighteen-year-old Eisenhauer is charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in the January stabbing death of Blacksburg seventh-grader Nicole Lovell. Nineteen-year-old Natalie Keepers is charged with being an accessory to kidnapping and murder and with helping hide the body.

__

3 a.m.

Two former Virginia Tech students charged in the disappearance and death of a 13-year-old girl are due in court for a preliminary hearing.

Eighteen-year-old David Eisenhauer is charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in the January stabbing death of Blacksburg seventh-grader Nicole Lovell. Nineteen-year-old Natalie Keepers is charged with being an accessory to kidnapping and murder and with helping hide the body.

A judge will decide after Friday’s preliminary hearing whether there’s probable cause to send the case to a grand jury.

At a previous hearing, a prosecutor said the two college students from Maryland met at a fast-food restaurant on Jan. 26 to plan Nicole’s death. Authorities have not given a possible motive.