Crime & Safety

Connor's Father Stunned By Reston Tragedy

"I don't think we are ever going to find out what happened," says Richard Rector, the father of slain Reston woman's husband.

Timothy Connor's life ended Tuesday when he drove into his parents Texas driveway, told his mother he loved her and said the Lord's Prayer.

Then he shot himself.

He later died at a nearby hospital.

Find out what's happening in Restonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

His father, Richard Rector, is still trying to piece together the preceding 48 hours. What is known: that Jennifer Pearson, Connor's pregnant wife of less than a year, was dead and their Reston apartment had been set on fire. And before police could question Connor, he would be dead too.

"Jennifer did not deserve this," said Rector, whose son changed his name to Connor several years ago.

Find out what's happening in Restonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I don't condone what my son did," he said. "I pray for Jennifer. My wife does too. I don't think we are ever going to find out what happened."

Police have not said that Connor is a suspect in the death of Pearson, who they say suffered trauma to the upper body before her apartment was set on fire.

After Connors' suicide on Tuesday police said they are not looking for any other suspects.

Police discovered Pearson's body early Monday morning, when they were called to the couple's apartment at 12002 Waterside View Dr. after a neighbor smelled smoke. They broke down the door to the second-floor apartment, where they found a fire in the apartment and Pearson's dead body.

By Rector's account, all was well with Tim and Jennifer, who was called Jenny by friends and family. They were expecting a baby boy this summer. Pearson's family said they planned to name the baby Aiden. Rector said his son was thrilled when he recently felt the baby kick.

He said he last talked to his son last Friday, the day after Valentine's Day.

"They went out and they had a great time," Rector said from his home in Banderas, Texas.

Rector said the couple - along with Connor's 6-year-old daughter from a previous marriage - had all visited Texas over July 4.

"We had a wonderful time." he said of the first time he met his new daughter-in-law. "He was absolutely in love with this woman. I am trying to understand what happened. He had no violent tendency. He had no temper. He just adored [Jennifer]." 

Rector said there was no evidence his son was unbalanced or had signs of mental illness. He worked as a photographer for Lifetouch Studios, which takes class photos and portraits at schools.

Connor grew up in Glen Burnie and graduated from Glen Burnie High School, his father said. He had a brother and a sister, though his sister died more than 20 years ago.

Connor was facing assault and abuse charges in Maryland that stemmed from issues he was having with his daughter's mother, Rector said.

"There was no abuse," said Rector. "His lawyer said 'Tim has such a good case' against this. It was supposed to go to trial May 1. I know this was upsetting him."

Connor did not currently drink, as both he and Pearson stopped when she found out she was expecting, said Rector. He did take medication for Multiple Sclerosis, which was diagnosed about two years ago, Rector said.

So it was puzzling to get a call Monday morning from Fairfax County Police detectives, Rector said. When authorities explained Jennifer's death and the fire in Reston, the Rectors predicted Connor was on his way to Texas.

Apparently, Connor drove straight through, staying up for 24 hours. He pulled into the driveway followed by local police who had been alerted by Fairfax County Police.

"I think he wanted to come home to the people who loved him," said Rector. "I am pretty sure he felt he had no way out."

More:

Pearson Family: Jen was Quick With a Smile  

Police: Dead Reston Woman's Husband Commits Suicide

Dead Reston Woman Was Pregnant

Police: Dead Woman Found at Reston Fire

Neighbor: 'Scary' Morning on Waterside View

Keep up with all Reston news. Subscribe to Reston Patch's free daily newsletter


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.