Second Suspect Arrested in 2023 Death of Chyna Crawford

U.S. Marshals located and arrested 31-year-old Bjarni Cooper on Jan. 29, 2026, in connection with the 2023 disappearance and death of 25-year-old Chyna Crawford of Southwest Washington, D.C. Cooper faces charges that include First Degree Murder-Felony Murder, Conspiracy, Armed Carjacking, and Armed Robbery, the Metropolitan Police Department said.

The Crawford investigation began when she was reported missing to MPD on Oct. 26, 2023. She was last seen at approximately 10:00 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2023, in the 4000 block of South Capitol Street SW. Initial work by detectives assigned to the Missing Persons Unit suggested suspicious circumstances surrounding her disappearance, and the case was later referred to the Homicide Branch.

A previous arrest came in March 2024 when U.S. Marshals located and arrested 32-year-old Lashawn Washington of Southeast on March 26, 2024. Washington is charged with First Degree Murder-Felony Murder, Kidnapping, and Obstruction of Justice after detectives secured an indictment and a DC Superior Court bench warrant. Cooper was identified as a second suspect as the investigation progressed and was taken into custody at the end of January 2026.

Officials have cautioned that the case remains active and under investigation. "This case remains under investigation. Anyone who has knowledge of this incident should take no action but call police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department's TEXT TIP LINE at 50411." The department also reiterated that "The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide committed in the District of Columbia." MPD listed the case control number as CCN: 23176298.

Early reporting included an incorrect last-seen location; later information from MPD clarifies the 4000 block of South Capitol Street SW as the last-known sighting. Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances of Crawford’s death, and no medical examiner findings or recovery details have been provided in official statements.

For readers following the case, the arrests show federal and local coordination through the U.S. Marshals Service and MPD Homicide Branch, and they underline the continuing need for community tips to fill gaps in the public record. The next steps will be prosecutorial action and court processing for both suspects; MPD’s public tip channels and the $25,000 reward remain the immediate avenues for anyone with information to assist investigators.