The Criminal Report Daily : Investigation Discovery

Another Serial Killer in Louisiana? Yes, No, Maybe?

Ronald Joseph Dominique, Sean Vincent Gillis, John Peter Malveaux and Derrick Todd Lee - each one of these men has been arrested in recent years for committing serial murders in the state of Louisiana. They are certainly not responsible for all of the unsolved cases in the state; however, they are four of the most recognized criminals. Louisiana has, for all intents and purposes, become Serial Killer Central. Consequently, investigators in Jefferson Davis Parish have formed a task force to investigate the mysterious murders of at least seven women dating back to 2005.

Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff Ricky Edwards is hesitant to use the term "serial killer" in connection with the unsolved murders; this may, however, be precisely what he is facing. Some speculate that his reluctance to categorize the cases may be a way of keeping the killer from reveling in media attention, but previous cases have shown that it is only a matter of time before all bets are off.

The victims in these unsolved cases shared several similarities. Most were in their 20s, traveled in the same circles, had a history of alcohol and substance abuse, and lived high-risk lifestyles, which in some cases included trading sex for drugs.

          1. Loretta Lynn Chaisson Lewis

Loretta Lynn Chaisson Lewis, 28, was last seen on May 17, 2005. Three days later, a fisherman discovered her partially clothed body floating in the east fork of the Grand Marais Canal. This location is roughly three miles west of Highway 26.

Despite the fact that she had been dead for only a few days, Loretta's body was in an advanced state of decomposition, which made it impossible for the medical examiner to determine the exact cause of death. Toxicology tests revealed high levels of drugs and alcohol in her system.

Loretta was married and had two children.

          2. Ernestine Marie Daniels Patterson

Ernestine Marie Daniels Patterson, 29, was an employee of a local fast food restaurant. The events leading up to her disappearance remain unclear. What is known is that her partially clothed body was found floating in a drainage canal on June 18, 2005. This location was roughly six miles from where Loretta Lewis's body had been found.

During the autopsy, the medical examiner determined that Ernestine's throat had been cut. As with Loretta's toxicology tests, Ernestine's also indicated high levels of drugs and alcohol in her system.

Prosecutors initially indicted two local men, Byron Chad Jones and Lawrence Nixon, for Ernestine's murder; however, the charges were later dropped due to lack of evidence.

Criminal Profiler Warns Suspected Florida Serial Killer Will Strike Again

The Broward Sheriff's Office has released a sketch of a man who robbed a woman at the Town Center mall in August. Police believe the same man is responsible for the December 2007 murders of Nancy Bochicchio, 47, and her 7-year-old daughter, Joey. John Walsh, host of the popular television show, America's Most Wanted, recently told WPBF he suspects those murders are also connected to the March 2007 slaying of Randi Gorenberg, 52, whose body was found dumped at Governor Lawton Chiles Memorial Park.

"This is a serial killer. He is good at what he does. It's all about the power trip, and I know that when the cases get closer and closer together, like this pattern has, the killer is on the attack. So I say to everybody, don't let your guard down. It's a game for him," Walsh told WPBF.

Yesterday, I contacted Dr. Deborah Schurman-Kauflin, an expert criminal profiler who has studied and investigated serial killers for over 20 years, to ask for her professional opinion on the case, based upon the details investigators have chosen to share with the media...

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