Pearson Family: Jen Was 'Quick With a Smile'

Friends and family of Jennifer Pearson remember her as a person who could be counted on to show up at a party with a salad and chicken wings and who looked forward to meeting her baby boy in June.

Pearson, 38, was found dead Monday in her apartment on Waterside View Drive in Reston. She is believed to have died of wounds to her upper body before her apartment was set on fire. The fire is still under investigation by the Fairfax County Frie Marshal.

The next day, her husband,

Police have not named Connor as a suspect.

Officials have said they are no longer looking for suspects in Pearson's death and have also not released an account of events that led to the incident.

Pearson's family released a statement on Wednesday saying "Jen was a savvy girl, quick with a smile and always ready to talk to those in need of a shoulder to cry on....as long as it was after 3 p.m.," her family said. "And we know you could count on Jen to bring a stash of chicken wings and some kind of salad mix to your party."

In the statement, Pearson's family called Connor "a murderer, a back-stabber and a craven coward."

"Our beautiful sister and her 5-month-old son were murdered---stabbed, shot and burned, left alone in the cold of a dark February night in Reston, VA," the statement reads.

"Her murderer, a stranger-husband of less than a year, a back stabber, a craven coward fit to flee for home in Texas, was apprehended February 19th, a day after the dirty-deed. Rather than accept accountability, this individual shot himself to death when stopped by police in Texas. That's the truth of it; that's what we know."

The Washington Post reports Connor faced multiple sex-offenses and assault charges in Maryland, including one count of sexually abusing a minor.

The charges were in regard to his alleged relationship with one victim between Aug. 2008 and July 2012. He was slated to go on trial in May, the Post reported.

The family statement said Pearson was due in June and planned to name her baby boy Aiden.

Pearson was a native of the area who grew up in the Springfield area of Fairfax County and graduated from Lee High School.  She has a twin sister, Kathleen "Kitty" Jenkins, who lives in Sterling.

Friends have created a memorial page for her on Facebook - Jen Pearson, a Circle of Light and Love. They have been sharing memories and photos of her there.

 "There are very few people I've known or known of that I would ever describe with the word, 'angel,' " wrote one friend. "There is not a single one more deserving of that word than Jen. She was always kind. Always considerate. Always understanding. Always generous. Always smart. Always classy. Always absolutely beautiful, inside and out."

Pearson's family said they're planning a memorial for Jen in Springfield. A time and date has yet to be determined.

More:

Connor's Father Stunned by Reston Tragedy

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