ID Exclusive Q&A With FBI Special Agent: The Whitey Bulger Case

June 28, 2011

[Cynthia M. Deitle is the Supervisory Special Agent
at the Boston FBI Office.  Read her Bio >> ]

Q: What was your or the Boston FBI office's involvement in this case? 
A:  The Boston FBI Office’s James Bulger Task Force has been responsible for searching for Mr. Bulger and Ms. Greig, and gathering evidence regarding their current whereabouts.  My involvement has been quite minor and was limited to assisting FBI Boston’s Media Coordinator in the preparation and dissemination of the Public Service Announcement.

Q: How long has the FBI been searching for James“Whitey” Bulger and Catherine Greig?
A: The FBI has been searching for Mr. Bulger and Ms.Greig for the past 16 years after they fled Boston.

Q: How did or what led the FBI to getting tipped off as to where James “Whitey” Bulger and Catherine Greig were located?
A: On Tuesday, June, 21, 2011, just after 8:00 p.m. (PST), a tip was received by the FBI’s Los Angeles
office. The tip was generated as a result of the FBI’s unique publicity campaign organized by Boston’s
FBI office that began on Monday.  As part of that campaign, the FBI paid for a Public Service
Announcement to run in 14 media markets across the country including in San Francisco and San
Diego.  Those places were strategically chosen.  Although Los Angeles was not one of the markets in
which the PSA ran, news coverage of the campaign aired in Los Angeles, on national news and cable
outlets, and the publicity saturated the Internet.  The FBI had no knowledge of the whereabouts of
Ms. Greig and Mr. Bulger prior to the initiation of this campaign. Los Angeles agents immediately
relayed the tip to the FBI’s command post in Boston.  The command post had been set up to  quickly
and methodically analyze tips, and direct leads to FBI personnel around the country and world that
were expected to be generated by the PSA.  FBI agents, analysts and other staff in Boston reviewed
the tip. They recognized that certain information appeared to be credible and promising.  By
Wednesday at 10:50 a.m., (PST), at the direction of FBI Boston, members of FBI Los Angeles’ fugitive
task force were requested to conduct surveillance at the pertinent location.   That task force
included FBI agents and members of the Los Angeles Police Department.  Just after 4:00 p.m. (PST),
the task force members began conducting surveillance at the location.   The task force concluded
that the tip was fruitful after observing two individuals who appeared to resemble the fugitives. 

 At approximately 5:45 p.m. (PST), using a ruse, agents and other task force members lured Mr. Bulger
 out of his apartment.  Agents determined that the individual was, in fact, Mr. Bulger.   He was placed
 under arrest without incident.  Agents then went back to the apartment and arrested Ms. Greig
 without incident.

Q: Would you consider this the most successful on-air PSA campaign in FBI history to find a fugitive?
A: The FBI has often used the media as well as electronic billboards and social media networking sites
including Facebook and Twitter to locate fugitives.  This PSA, however, while not the first PSA
utilized by the Bureau, was  innovative and creative in that we switched the public’s focus from
Mr. Bulger to Ms. Greig, by targeting women in certain cities who may have seen her.  Considering that
the FBI located Mr. Bulger and Ms. Greig three days after the start of the campaign is a remarkable
testament to every member of the public who contacted the FBI to provide assistance in this
investigation.

Q: In the process of looking for a fugitive, when is an on-air campaign launched and what leads investigators to pursue this technique?  
A: Every fugitive matter is handled on a case by case basis as no two criminal investigations are the
same or involve the same perpetrators or criminal activity.  All logical investigative steps are taken
and all investigative strategies techniques are considered.

Q: What are some of the other public awareness campaigns or tactics  the FBI pursues in order to enlist the help of the public?
A: In 2009, the FBI aired a PSA on the History Channel following the release of a documentary on a Civil Rights Era Cold Case.  In the PSA, the FBI requested the public’s assistance to provide information on the murder of an African-American female, Johnnie Mae Chappell, in Jacksonville, Florida on March 23, 1964.  The FBI also participated in “The Injustice Files” with Discovery ID in February 2011 to bring attention to three other racially-charged murders in the South in the hopes that public would
yet again call the FBI with information.

Q: It's been stated that "Bulger was next to Osama bin Laden on the list and had a $2 million reward on his head". Now that he's caught, who is next in line on the Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitive list?
A: I cannot comment on who would be added to the list.

 
Q: If someone has a tip about a most wanted fugitive, where should they go to let the FBI know? What should they do?
A: Someone with information about a fugitive, or any other criminal activity, can contact their local FBI office, visit fbi.gov, or contact the FBI through Facebook or Twitter.

 

Related Links:
Top 10 FBI Cases
FBI: Criminal Pursuit
The Ten Most Wanted List
Got Info? Submit A Tip To The FBI

 

Serial Killer John Wayne Gacy Art Exhibition Under Fire

May 13, 2011

[From the Investigation Discovery Editors]

Artwork created by serial killer John Wayne Gacy while on death row is on exhibit and for sale by a Las Vegas gallery, according to CNN. 

Representatives of the gallery said their intent was to host a charity exhibition and sale to benefit the National Center for Victims of Crime. 

However, the victims organization says they never agreed to partner with the gallery on the exhibit.  They have issued a cease-and-desist letter, requesting that the gallery stop use of their name.

What do you think?  Has the gallery gone too far?  Share your thoughts in the Comments section below and let us know how you feel.

Visit the Fearbook and Get More on Gacy >>

Read John Wayne Gacy's Criminal Profile >>

---

 

More on the Web
CNN, Controversial serial killer's paintings go on display in Las Vegas
ARTINFO, Is It Ethical to Profit From a Serial Killer's Art? Behind the John Wayne Gacy Show Uproar

NY Prostitutes Continue to Work Despite Threat of Serial Killer

April 27, 2011

The fact that a serial killer has been preying on prostitutes on Long Island has not escaped the minds of the women who ply their trade on the streets in and around New York City.

"I've been watching the news about what is going on at Gilgo Beach," a Long Island sex worker who goes by the name of Exit 55 said in an interview with Metro US. "Somebody out there is crazy and doing very bad things. I'm extra careful and carry a gun now, and I never did before."

Police on Long Island began stumbling upon bodies December, when they found the remains of four women between Oak Beach and Gilgo Beach; they were in an advanced state of decomposition. All four have been identified.

Click Here To Read The Top 5 Myths About Prostitution

Since that initial discovery, the remains of four additional unidentified people have been found in the same geographical area. Authorities are also awaiting the results of tests on two sets of bones believed to be human that were found on the beach last week.

There is a possibility that the same killer is responsible for at least four murders that occurred in New Jersey more than four years ago.

In some instances, identifications of remains are still pending, but investigators say that the majority of the victims in both states were involved in prostitution at the times of their deaths. In a recent interview with Investigation Discovery, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Park Dietz, president of Park Dietz & Associates, said that prostitutes are often prime targets of serial killers.

Where Does This Killer Rank on the Scale of Evil?

"The highest risk victims for sexual serial killings are prostitutes and drug addicts," Dietz said. "The reason they are so high risk is that they are usually loners and they are looking for anonymous sexual encounters - even the violent kind. It takes greater skill to lure attractive women from where there are likely witnesses and get away with killing a series of them than it does to lure prostitutes unobserved and to get away with killing a series of them."

Despite the risks involved, girls like Exit 55 don't plan on seeking another form of employment.

"I have a lot of bills," she told Metro US. "I have to work."

 

 

Some girls are, however, taking extra precautions to protect themselves. Speaking with the same media outlet, another sex worker who goes by the name Hot Bun said she carries pepper spray and never goes out alone.

Explore Serial Killer Quizzes

 "Now I bring two people with me, and they will wait in another room," she told Metro US. "If the customer doesn't like it, I'm out of there."

Related Links:
Investigation Discovery: Most Infamous Serial Killers
Investigation Discovery: Criminal Report Daily: Long Island Serial Killer Coverage

Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Report: Serial Killer Joel Rifkin Denies Connection to Beach Bodies

April 22, 2011

There is no escaping the fact that the Long Island serial killer investigation is eerily similar to that of serial killer Joel Rifkin. In recent weeks his name has popped up in several publications about the case and there has been speculation that some of the skeletal remains could be connected to him. While the theory is plausible, Rifkin is adamant that he is not responsible for any of the victims.

"I have nothing to do with those bodies," Rifkin said in a recent exclusive interview with Newsday.

A former resident of Long Island, Rifkin, 52, is serving a life prison sentence at the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, N.Y., for the murder of at least nine women between 1989 and 1993 in New York City. Interestingly, four of his alleged victims have never been found.

Police in Long Island began stumbling upon the beach bodies in December when they found the remains of four women between Oak Beach and Gilgo Beach whose bodies were in an advanced state of decomposition. All four have been identified.

Since that initial discovery, the remains of four additional unidentified people have been found in the same geographical area. Authorities are also awaiting the results of tests on two sets of bones believed to be human that were found on the beach last week.

Rifkin told Newsday he believed the New York cases and four similar murders that occurred in New Jersey four years ago could be unrelated. Since December, it has been speculated that the two could be connected. Last week, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's office told Investigation Discovery that authorities are looking into the possible.

In some instances, identification is still pending, but the majority of the victims in both states were involved in prostitution at the time of their deaths, police said. Prostitutes are often a prime target of serial killers. "That's their job ... to get into a stranger's car," Rifkin said.

The convicted serial killer also has his own theories and said the person responsible is probably a local who frequents the South Shore area.

"My guess is it would be someone like a landscaper, contractor or a fisherman," Rifkin told Newsday.

Perhaps, but for now the identity of the individual or individuals responsible remain a mystery.

Click here to visit Newsday and read "Rifkin: 'I have nothing to do with' victims"

Related Links:
Investigation Discovery: Most Infamous Murderers
Investigation Discovery: Criminal Report Daily: Long Island Serial Killer Coverage

Photo Credit: Police file photo

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission from Discovery Communications. All quotes must include a link back.

Expert: NY Serial Killer has 'No Connection to Law Enforcement'

April 14, 2011

There is rampant speculation online and in the media this week that police suspect that an ex-cop is the focus of the Long Island serial killer investigation, despite repeated denials from law enforcement officials. The speculation seems to center on the belief that the serial killer is familiar with law enforcement techniques, and some outlets compared the case to the fictional television show "Dexter."

"Nothing has been articulated to me that indicates a connection to law enforcement," retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Mark Safarik told Investigation Discovery. "I think the media would like to make that Dexter connection, and I am not even sure why they were alluding to that - maybe because four of the bodies have been dismembered - but I don't see it. I wouldn't even speculate about [the killer being an ex-cop]."

Safarik is an internationally recognized expert in the analysis and interpretation of violent criminal behavior. He was one of the most senior and respected members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's elite Behavioral Analysis Unit, the profiling unit showcased in the movie "Silence of the Lambs."

"Clearly you have a serial killer," Safarik said. "If nothing else, you got body dumps in a relatively small geographic area. You have eight victims: four of them are identified and are prostitutes, four of them are not identified yet. So there is nowhere to start in terms of the latest victims. Were they prostitutes? Are they missing from other states? I mean, there is no way to say anything without a victim ID."

The area in which bodies were found is fairly remote, which would have made the offender feel safe when dumping the remains, Safarik said.

"Clearly, they were killed somewhere else, dismembered for transport and dumped," he said. "There is not really much else to say."

Safarik added, "I have got calls from the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post and the New York Times, and I didn't answer any of them because I know what they are going to be asking me about the case, and there is really nothing to say other than I think you have got a serial killer. I haven't seen anything about a law enforcement connection."

Today, Safarik said, it is not uncommon for a serial killer – or any criminal, for that matter – to be wise to police techniques. After all, information about evidence collection and related techniques is available in pretty much any bookstore and on most crime television shows.

"There is so much out there with both fiction shows and the nonfiction shows," Safarik said. "People can learn stuff from all the cop shows, even my show, which is coming out in June. As far as the dismemberment, that may simply be a way to dispose of the body. Think about it. The killer might not be able to carry a whole body out of his house, but he could carry it out in pieces."

While the identity and occupation of the individual or individuals responsible for dumping the bodies on Long Island remains unknown, there is a possibility the mystery may continue for some time.

"You got an offender who is targeting very high-risk victims that are of low risk for the offender," Safarik said. "Just that aspect alone makes it very, very difficult. Then, you are not finding fresh bodies where they were last seen. Right now, you are looking at a very difficult case."

Related Links:
Investigation Discovery: Most Infamous Murderers
Investigation Discovery: Criminal Report Daily: Long Island Serial Killer Coverage

Photo Credits: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission from Discovery Communications. All quotes must include a link back.

Pt. 2: Expert Addresses Rampant Speculation in NY Serial Killer Case

April 13, 2011

Part Two of a Two-Part Article | Click Here to Read Part One

The total number of victims in the Long Island serial killer case is currently thought to be about 10. There is a possibility the same killer is also responsible for at least four murders that occurred in New Jersey more than four years ago. On Monday, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's office told Investigation Discovery that authorities are looking into a possible connection.

In some instances, identification is still pending, but the majority of the victims in both states were involved in prostitution at the time of their deaths, police said. Prostitutes, according to forensic psychiatrist Dr. Park Dietz, are often a prime target of serial killers.

"The highest risk victims for sexual serial killings are prostitutes and drug addicts," Dietz told Investigation Discovery. "The reason they are so high risk is that they are usually loners and they are looking for anonymous sexual encounters - even the violent kind. It takes greater skill to lure attractive women from where there are likely witnesses and get away with killing a series of them than it does to lure prostitutes unobserved and to get away with killing a series of them."

Dietz is president of Park Dietz & Associates. He has spent more than 30 years studying the criminal mind and has given court testimony or consultation on numerous notable criminal cases, including those involving John Hinckley, Jr., the Menendez Brothers and the Unabomber.

According to Dietz, the killings in New York are not unique in the world of serial murder, but they do invoked memories of Joel Rifkin and Richard Francis Cottingham.

Rifkin was a Long Island resident who was convicted of murdering at least nine women between 1989 and 1993 in New York City. Cottingham, AKA the "torso killer," was a computer operator who lived in N.J. but operated in N.Y. between 1967 and 1980. He was convicted of killing five women, but some suspect who could be responsible for as many as 100 unsolved murders.

"It is always difficult to know whether particular groupings of victims are linked and weather an offender has changed his MO," Dietz said. "There is no magic about it. These things happen for perfectly mundane reasons that an offender will decide one dump site is too dangerous and move on to another. Dump sites are typically chosen as an area where the person feels comfortable through previous familiarity and having some sense of likelihood of not being observed there."

Authorities today are continuing the horrific inventory of bones that have been found in Long Island and are still searching for additional victims. The homicides have already been uncovered. The extent may be unknown at this point, but the proof is there. As helpful as that may be, tracking down the maniacal serial killer who is committing the homicides will likely be all the more difficult, Dietz warns.

Explore the Investigation Discovery FEAR BOOK

"The level of publicity has heated up on this case to the point that he no doubt knows," Ditz said. "That could cause him to go dormant for a time or to change geographic strategies."

Come Back Tomorrow to See What a Former FBI Special Agent Thinks! In the meantime, check out: Body Count Continues to Climb in Long Island Serial Killer Case and Did New York Serial Killer Prey on New Jersey Hookers?

Related Links:
Investigation Discovery: Most Infamous Murderers
Investigation Discovery: Quiz Central: Serial Killers

Photo Credits: Victims: Police file photos; Park Dietz: Contributed by Dr. Dietz; Bucket Truck: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission from Discovery Communications. All quotes must include a link back.

Expert Addresses Rampant Speculation in NY Serial Killer Case

April 12, 2011

Part One of a Two-Part Article

The discovery of nearly a dozen sets of human remains in Long Island, N.Y., has set off a massive police dragnet, attracted national media attention and - as is always the case in any high profile serial killer investigation - resulted in rampant speculation.

Generic profiles of the serial killer are emerging, describing him as a middle-aged white male, with above-average intelligence - who may or may not stand out among the island's more than 7,400,000 residents. Recent headlines have also centered on the supposition that the killer is most likely an ex-cop who is familiar with investigative techniques.

"[These are] among the many sorts of mythologies that creep into news stories and, sadly, into some police work," forensic psychiatrist Dr. Park Dietz told Investigation Discovery. "The world has changed in so many ways, many of which we can thank shows like CSI for, that offenders are more evidence weary than ever before."

Dietz is president of Park Dietz & Associates, which has given court testimony or consultation on numerous serial killer cases, including those involving Jeffrey Dahmer, the Green River killer and the D.C. snipers.

Explore the Investigation Discovery FEAR BOOK

Police in Long Island began stumbling upon bodies in December when they found the remains of four women between Oak Beach and Gilgo Beach whose bodies were in an advanced state of decomposition. All four have been identified. Since that initial discovery, the remains of four additional unidentified people have been found in the same geographical area. Authorities are also awaiting the results of tests on two sets of bones believed to be human that were found on the beach yesterday.

"Look at this from the offender's point of view," said Dietz. "If you are a male whose primary sexual interest is serious torture, watching the victim die as she is strangled or having sex with a corpse, it is hard to find a consenting partner."

At least two of the Long Island victims died from asphyxiation, according to death certificates.

"Most people who have one of those desires have multiple inhibitions - religious beliefs, morality, social conscience and other factors - that inhibit them from doing whatever they wish," Dietz continued. "It is not the perverse desire alone that leads someone with these desires to kill; they also have to be lacking those inhibitors."

The pervasive nature of the aforementioned desires goes without saying. However, experts have found that those who are not limited by their inhibitions also typically suffer from psychopathy

"It would include a lack of conscience, lack of feelings and of participatory anxiety," Dietz said. "So, the vast majority of sexual serial killers have both kinds of conditions: the paraphilia - the sexual deviation - and the combination of anti-social and narcissistic personality traits that is also now called psychopathy."

In addition to the social and moral inhibitions that the average human being carries with him or her is the fear of the potential consequence for his/her actions. The weighing of those consequences can have a great impact on the decision-making process. When talking serial murder, the crimes will typically carry a maximum sentence of life without parole and the possibility, in participating states, of the death penalty. Those potential penalties, however, are of little concern to the serial killer.

"The calculus of the offender differs from that of the law-abiding citizen in several ways," Dietz said. "One is a misapprehension of the odds of being caught. The offender has a different take on that than [does] the law-abiding citizen. Law-abiding citizens imagine they will be caught most of the time for bad things they do, [whereas] offenders are certain they won't be caught."

Come Back Tomorrow to Read Part Two! In the meantime, check out: Body Count Continues to Climb in Long Island Serial Killer Case and Did New York Serial Killer Prey on New Jersey Hookers?

Related Links:
Investigation Discovery: Most Infamous Murderers
Investigation Discovery: Quiz Central: Serial Killers

Photo Credits: Victims: Police file photos; Park Dietz: Contributed by Dr. Dietz

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission from Discovery Communications. All quotes must include a link back.

Did New York Serial Killer Prey on New Jersey Hookers?

April 11, 2011

The investigation into a series of unsolved serial killings in Long Island, N.Y., has raised speculation that the same killer could be responsible for a similar series of unsolved killings that occurred in New Jersey more than four years ago.

"The prosecutor has been in contact with Suffolk County Police since they found the [first four] bodies," Madelaine Vitale, a spokeswoman for the Atlantic County Prosecutor's office told Investigation Discovery.

The New Jersey cases came to light on November 20, 2006, when two women walking behind the Golden Key Motel in Egg Harbor Township, a few hundred yards from the Atlantic City limits, discovered the body of a woman in a ditch. When officers responded to the scene, they discovered the bodies of three more women within a few hundred feet of each other.

The victims were later identified as Molly Jean Dilts, 20; Tracy Ann Roberts, 23; Kim Raffo, 35; and Barbara V. Breidor, 42. Dilts was the only one of the four who did not have a criminal record for prostitution, but friends later told police they knew she was working the streets.

The similarities in the cases were inescapable.

The victims' bodies were all found facedown in a drainage ditch, in several inches of water. Their heads were turned east and they were wearing clothes but were barefoot.

Due to the varying decomposition of the bodies, authorities suspect the women were killed anywhere from two days to up to a month before they were discovered. At least one of the victims died of strangulation. Authorities suspect another died by asphyxia, but the condition of the bodies made an exact cause of death difficult to determine.

Despite an intensive investigative effort by local, state and federal authorities, the case went unsolved. Aside from media articles that would pop up on the one-year anniversary of the discovery of the victims' remains, they were all but forgotten about until late last year, when police in nearby Long Island began stumbling upon bodies.

The first was found on December 11 between Cedar Beach and Gilgo Beach. Two days later, investigators discovered the remains of three more women whose bodies were in an advanced state of decomposition.

All four of the victims were found wrapped in burlap sacks. Police say they were not "clustered together" and appear to have been dumped individually. Investigators say there are substantial similarities in how the women died, although they declined to elaborate.

All the victims are allegedly prostitutes who advertised their services on Craigslist, police said. They have since been identified as Megan Waterman, 22; Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25; Melissa Barthelemy, 24; and Amber Lynn Costello, 27.

Brainard-Barnes had been missing the longest, and was last seen alive on July 9, 2007, about seven months after the women in Egg Harbor Township were found in the drainage ditch. The most recent victim to go missing was Costello, who vanished in September 2010, police said.

Since that initial discovery in Long Island, the remains of four additional unidentified people were found in the same area between Oak Beach and Gilgo Beach. Police have yet to identify any of them and have not revealed if the bodies had been wrapped in burlap or if they have been linked the deaths of the first four victims.

Authorities are also awaiting the results of tests on two sets of bones believed to be human that were found on the beach earlier today. No word has been given yet on how long it will take experts to draw a conclusion.

As the search for additional bodies continues today, many are wondering if the Long Island serial killer is responsible for the four unsolved homicides in New Jersey. Has an unknown serial killer been preying on women since 2006?

Contacted by Investigation Discovery, a spokeswoman for the Suffolk County Police Department would only say the case is "still under investigation."

Vitale also declined to elaborate on a possible like between the New York and New Jersey cases. "We are not commenting," she said.

For now, there are more questions than answers. Perhaps some of them will become clearer tomorrow, when a well-known expert on serial killers weighs in. So, be sure to come back to read his thoughts on it and feel free to share your own in the comment section below!

Check Out: Body Count Continues to Climb in Long Island Serial Killer Case

Related Links:
Investigation Discovery: Most Infamous Murderers
Investigation Discovery: Quiz Central: Serial Killers

Photo Credits: Police File Photos

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission from Discovery Communications. All quotes must include a link back.

Body Count Continues to Climb in Long Island Serial Killer Case

April 08, 2011

The hunt is on for a serial killer who is believed to have murdered at least eight women in New York and possibly four others in another state. The case has many New Yorkers walking the streets in fear – wondering if and when the media-dubbed "Long Island Ripper" will strike again.

Police search an area of beach near where human remains were found. (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

The case began to unfold on December 11, when Suffolk County Police K9 Officer John Mallia and his dog Blue were conducting a search along Ocean Parkway for Shonnan Gilbert. The 24-year-old prostitute from New Jersey had been missing since May, when she went to meet a man she had met on the online classified website Craigslist.

The man Gilbert met with later told police that when she arrived at his Oak Beach home, she soon became agitated and left. What happened to her after that remained a mystery. The man has denied involvement in Gilbert's disappearance and has not been named a suspect or person of interest in her disappearance.

It was during Mallia and Blue's search for clues in the Gilbert case that they stumbled upon human skeletal remains between Cedar Beach and Gilgo Beach. Investigators did not find any identification with the remains and their advanced state of decomposition made a visual identification impossible.

On December 13, investigators returned to the area where the skeletal remains were found to search for evidence in the case. During that second search, officers discovered the remains of three more women in the area whose bodies were in an advanced state of decomposition.

All four of the victims were found wrapped in burlap sacks. Police say they were not "clustered together" and appear to have been dumped individually.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Richard Dormer did not mince words. "We could have a serial killer," Dormer said during a press conference.

Investigators say there are substantial similarities in how the women died, although they declined to elaborate. It was also revealed that each of the bodies was found wrapped in burlap.

It took more than a month for the medical examiner's office to identify the victim's remains. While none of them were found to be Gilbert, all were allegedly prostitutes who had advertised their services on Craigslist, police said.

Maureen Brainard-Barnes (top left), Melissa Barthelemy (top right), Amber Lynn Costello (bottom right) and Megan Waterman (bottom left)

The women were identified as Megan Waterman, 22, of Long Island, N.Y.; Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, of Norwich, Conn.; Melissa Barthelemy, 24, of Erie County, N.Y.; and Amber Lynn Costello, 27, of North Babylon, N.Y.

According to police, Brainard-Barnes was last seen alive on July 9, 2007; Barthelemy had been missing since July 2009; Waterman disappeared on June 6, 2010, and Costello vanished in September 2010.

On March 29, the Suffolk County Police Department resumed the search for Gilbert in the marsh and wooded areas in Oak Beach and along Ocean Parkway in Babylon. During that search, human remains were discovered by police west of Cedar Beach. The location is about one mile east of where the previous remains were located.

Roughly six days later, on April 4, authorities were conducting another extensive search when the remains of three additional unidentified people were found in the area between Oak Beach and Gilgo Beach.

Police have not identified any of the most recent victims; however, the medical examiner's office has concluded that none of them are Gilbert. Investigators have also not revealed if the bodies had been wrapped in burlap like the previous victims.

"We still believe that Shannan Gilbert is in this area," Dominick Varrone, Suffolk County's chief of detectives, told reporters following the latest discoveries.

Varrone added, "If there are any more bodies out there, we want to find them."

Earlier today, reports began to surface in the media that police were zeroing in on a potential suspect in the case.

"Police believe they know the identity of the Long Island Ripper," The New York Post reported. "Cops on Long Island are 'looking at somebody,' said a law-enforcement source."

Suffolk police declined to comment on the case today; however, a source with knowledge of the case did say that authorities have yet to zero in on anyone.

"That is actually not true," the source told Investigation Discovery. "It wasn't from [the police] to begin with ... It is not true so don’t go with it."

Whoever is responsible, the case is eerily reminiscent of that of serial killer Joel Rifkin, a Long Island resident who was convicted of murdering at least nine women between 1989 and 1993 in New York City. Will this latest killer outdo Rifkin? Only time will tell.

Be sure to come back next week for more on this fascinating unsolved case. A New Jersey connection will be explored and a well-known expert on serial killers will be weighing in, so don't miss it!

Related Links:
Investigation Discovery: Most Infamous Murderers
Investigation Discovery: Quiz Central: Serial Killers

Photo Credits: Police: Spencer Platt/Getty Images; Victims: Police File Photos

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission from Discovery Communications. All quotes must include a link back.

Criminal Profiler Pat Brown on the Carol Daniels Murder Case

September 02, 2009

Yesterday, I brought you the story of Carol Daniels, a 61-year-old pastor who was recently found dead inside her Anadarko, Okla., church. According to police, the victim died as a result of "multiple sharp force injuries." It was also discovered that several wounds had been inflicted post-mortem – after she died. Perhaps most shocking of all, police say the killer had posed the victim's body in a "crucifix position." Hearing all these details might lead you to believe that there is much to interpret from the crime. However, according to Pat Brown, a well-known investigative criminal profiler, that may not be the case.

"It looks like [we have] a lot of information, but it actually leaves me with more questions than conclusions," Brown said in an interview with Investigation Discovery. "For example, the police say the body was staged, and if it was, the cross position obviously would correlate to her work as a minister. But, I can't determine if this is something to analyze until I am sure she really was in a cross position and that she didn't end up that way by accident. Sometimes detectives can see things in a way that the perpetrator didn't really have in his mind at all … Let's say we find her body was staged, laid out in the form of a cross. I would still need more details to determine if the guy hated Christians or he just hated this woman and laid her out that way to mock her."

So what about the fact that the victim was nude – does that tell us anything? According to Brown, it actually tells us very little.

"I can't say at this point if the killer had sexually assaulted her, removed her clothes to destroy evidence, or just wanted to own a nice religious frock," she said.

In regard to the victim's post-mortem wounds, Brown says those too are in question.

"These wounds could be post-mortem or they could be ante-mortem [made just before death]. The person who wrote [the report] didn't analyze the wounds properly. They could be perimortem, meaning happening at the time of death and getting us a bit confused. When the wounds occurred does make a difference in determining what kind of character we are dealing with … If the slash wounds are post-mortem, this shows a level of rage, a 'ha-ha, I did you in and I can destroy you even more after death. You can't stop me.' But what does the rage come from? Did she tick the killer off the week before? Or did she just make him mad fighting off a rape or robbery?"

In an effort to catch the killer, Brown says that it is of the utmost importance to look at the victim's lifestyle, personal and business relationships and her daily routine.

"Victimology must be done," Brown said. "Who is this pastor? Who does she know? What is her routine? Who came to her church? Did she carry money? Did she help drug users and homeless men? What kind of people were in the area and who did she serve?"

Click here to continue reading this story >

New details released in Florida kitty serial killer case

July 09, 2009

A Florida judge has ordered Miami-Dade County prosecutors to make public the arrest affidavit for Tyler Hayes Weinman, an 18-year-old man from Palmetto Bay, Fla., who was arrested last month for his alleged involvement in a series of cat mutilations and killings that occurred in two South Florida communities. The arrest affidavit details 19 of the cat killings and also explains the events and circumstances that ultimately led to Weinman's arrest.

According to the affidavit, investigators had their first contact with Weinman in the early morning hours of May 14. Weinman was walking in the area of Whispering Pines Road in Cutler Bay, when an officer stopped and questioned him. During the brief interview, Weinman was informed of the cat killings, to which he allegedly responded by laughing.

An anonymous source later contacted police and informed them that they saw Weinman walking in the same neighborhood at about 3:00 a.m. Three hours later, a mutilated cat was reportedly found "several feet" from where Weinman had been observed.

The following day, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Weinman was again spotted in the area, this time skateboarding in the direction of Palmetto Bay. He was approached by police a second time and warned about the cat killings, to which he again allegedly responded by laughing. Later that day, police conducted a traffic stop on Weinman when he failed to stop his 2000 Honda Civic at a red light. During the course of the stop, officers found a discarded cutting instrument on the ground near the driver's door. Officers also found a bag containing 1 gram of marijuana. As a result, officers transported Weinman to the Cutler Bay police station, where they booked him on a drug charge and questioned him about the cat killings.

During questioning, investigators noticed Weinman had a "red-colored scratch" on his neck. When questioned about the scratch, Weinman stated that he got it from a stray cat at his mom's house. When asked about other scratches he might have, Weinman said that he had one on his back that he received when a cat climbed on him.

"Weinman was eager to show your affiant these scratches, at which time he removed his shirt and allowed photographs to be taken," the affidavit reads.

During further questioning, Weinman allegedly admitted knowledge of the cat killings and offered information about a biology class he had taken at Palmetto Senior High School, in which students are required to dissect a dead cat.

"Weinman further stated that cats can no longer be obtained for purposes of dissection from a source within the United States," the affidavit reads. "Weinman stated that Mexico is the only source for cats used for the purpose of dissection. Weinman described the size of the felines obtained from Mexico and specified that he had researched the issue and that he learned of the source on the Internet. Your affiant noted that Weinman became excited and animated as he described the cats supplied from Mexico."

Upon sharing his knowledge about the source of feline specimen's, Weinman allegedly demonstrated various methods of dissecting cats and described a "tearing sound" that is made when a cat's skin is torn from its body.

"He elaborated when describing the dissection techniques beyond that which was taught at Palmetto Senior High School that seemed to be consistent with personal experience," the affidavit reads.

When asked what tools the cat killer might be using, Weinman allegedly said he did not know, but suggested they would be "very well hidden." When asked how the cats were being captured, Weinman reportedly said, "They have to be either tranquilized or poisoned."

Continue reading >

Case against accused serial kitty killer based on circumstantial evidence

June 17, 2009

A judge in Miami has approved the supervised release of Tyler Hayes Weinman, an 18-year-old man from Palmetto Bay, Fla., who was recently arrested for his alleged involvement in a recent series of cat mutilations and killings that occurred in two South Florida communities. In addition, new details have surfaced, suggesting Weinman's arrest was based on circumstantial evidence.

During today's court hearing, Judge John Thornton said that the results of a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation showed that Weinman does not pose a danger to himself or the public.

"He is competent to proceed and does not, at this time, appear to be at risk of harming himself or others," Thornton said.

Per the conditions of his release, Weinman must attend psychiatric counseling twice a week and wear an electronic monitoring bracelet while he awaits trial.

"He's an innocent man," said his attorney, Michael Walsh. "There's no evidence. Obviously, there's been a public outcry to solve this crime, and you know that motivates police in certain directions. And now this young man has to sit there and bear the allegations. When the case starts to unfold, you'll see."

Weinman's divorced parents, Douglas and Aiba Weinman, posted his $249,500 bond.

"I'm absolutely sure that he is innocent," Doug Weinman told television reporters outside the courtroom. "Because I've raised a son for 18 years and I know who he is."

Weinman's lawyer and parents are not the only ones claiming he is innocent. Numerous social networking groups have been popping up on the Internet in support of him, and earlier today, the CBS4 I-Team raised serious questions about the case against Weinman, which they say is based "entirely on circumstantial evidence."

According to I-Team sources, a mid-May tip led police to focus on Weinman. When investigators first questioned him, they observed scratch marks on his body, which they felt were consistent with injuries someone would receive while holding a struggling cat. Of further interest to investigators was a "disturbing" description he allegedly gave them regarding a cat dissection that occurred in an anatomy class he had taken at Palmetto High School. Police used this and other circumstantial evidence to convince a judge to allow them to place a GPS tracking device on Weinman's car.

The police tracking device allegedly showed that Weinman was in certain areas that were consistent with the dates and times of the cat killings. When later questioned about his movements, Weinman – unaware of the tracking device – allegedly denied he was in those areas. Investigators found the denials suspicious; however, the areas also include routes he would reportedly travel between his parents' houses.

Based on the above and other unreleased information, investigators secured the search warrants for Weinman's parents' houses and his car. Police allegedly found several knives hidden inside his bedroom, which they confiscated, along with other miscellaneous items, including clothing and a computer, and sent off for forensic testing. Prosecutors are now waiting to see if tests on the knives or clothing come back with a positive match to blood from one of the murdered cats.

It remains unclear why police took Weinman into custody before getting the DNA test results back from the lab. Perhaps public pressure and evidence unknown to the public led them to make that decision. Despite the reason, much of their case appears to depend on the results of the forensic testing. If that is truly the situation, prosecutors appear to have taken a risky gamble, which could result in the unnecessary destruction of an innocent man’s reputation. For the sake of justice, let's hope this does not happen.

Regardless of how circumstantial the evidence against Weinman is, some owners of the feline victims remain convinced of his guilt and are unnerved by his unexpected jail release.

"It's disturbing that they would let him out, knowing that he has killed so many cats," Alicia Glatzer, whose cat, Sarah, was found dead in early May, told the Associated Press, adding, "Although he says he's innocent and his attorney says he's innocent, there haven't been any cat killings since he's been in jail. It's a concern of mine that he's let out, that's he's back on the street."

Weinman was arrested Sunday and charged with 19 felony counts of animal cruelty, 19 misdemeanor counts of improperly disposing of an animal body, and four felony counts of burglary related to the cat deaths.

Since May 11, at least two dozen domestic cats have been found dead in the Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay areas. Many of the feline victims were gutted and skinned, while others were found drained of blood and missing limbs.

Weinman is expected to appear in court for his arraignment on July 6. If convicted on all felony counts, he faces a minimum mandatory fine of $5,000 and six months in prison on each count.

Online Surveys & Market Research

Related Link:
Florida Police Seek Kitty Serial Killer
Florida Police Arrest Tyler Hayes Weinman in Kitty Serial Killer Case

Photo Credit: Tyler Hayes Weinman: Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office

Please note: Persons appearing in mug shots may not have not been convicted of the charges for which they are accused and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission from Discovery Communications. All quotes must include a link back.

Florida Police Arrest Tyler Hayes Weinman in Kitty Serial Killer Case

June 15, 2009

An 18-year-old boy from Palmetto Bay, Fla., has been arrested in a recent series of cat mutilations and killings that have occurred in the South Florida communities of Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay.

"I am pleased to announce the arrest of Tyler Hayes Weinman who we believe, based on a totality of circumstances, is responsible for the gruesome serial cat mutilations that have been occurring in the southern portion of Miami-Dade County," Miami-Dade police spokesperson Julie Miller said during at a press conference yesterday.

According to Miller, Weinman was arrested Sunday, after "investigative leads" and "critical intelligence" linked him to 19 cat killings. Miller did not elaborate on what evidence her department has against Weinman; however she did say that the investigation is ongoing and that additional arrests might be forthcoming.

Weinman has been charged with 19 felony counts of animal cruelty, 19 misdemeanor counts of improperly disposing of an animal body and four felony counts of burglary related to the cat deaths.

"This is so important to our community," Miller said of the arrest. "So many lives have been affected - children, adults, citizens who didn't even have animals affected."

According to miamiherald.com, Weinman's parents divorced in 2006 and he divides his time between their residences. His father is a dentist in Palmetto Bay and his mother is a life coach in Cutler Bay. Weinman recently graduated from Miami Palmetto Senior High and has been spending his summer doing odd jobs.

Weinman is reportedly a member of the Facebook.com group named "Catch the Cat Killer!" It remains unclear if he was an active participant in the group; however earlier today the group's owner, Brittany Barton, sent out a message to all members of the group. The message reads in part:

"To all of you who do not know me, my name is Brittany Barton. I am a resident of Palmetto Bay and one of my cats was a victim of the killings. I created the Facebook group "Catch the Cat Killer!" solely for other animal lovers like myself, who wanted the person responsible for these sick acts of cruelty brought to justice. Even though one of my cats was killed, I still have not seen evidence to show that this particular kid is the culprit (although I will admit, his smirk in the booking photos makes him look 100% more arrogant and guilty). For that reason I am STILL keeping my cats indoors. Until the police finally decide to release the details of the evidence against the suspected cat killer, I advise you all to do the same with your pets."

The message went on to say that Barton did not approve of recent posts to the group that bashed Weinman's family and convicted him of the crimes before he is proven guilty in a court of law.

"I do not have the time to delete every insensitive person or comment on the Group page, so for that reason I am deleting the Group entirely," Barton wrote.

While Barton's group may be coming to an end, two other groups on Facebook - "Bring Tyler Weinman to Justice" and "Justice for Tyler" - are causing a stir on the Internet, albeit for two entirely different reasons.

The mission statement for "Bring Tyler Weinman to Justice" reads in part:

"A group to discuss and vent about this sicko and what he did to those animals. Sure, innocent until proven guilty, but no smoke without fire, right? The police had been watching him for 2 weeks; they wouldn't have made a move had they not seen anything to solidify their suspicions."

Whereas the description of "Justice for Tyler" reads in part:

"In America everyone is innocent until proven guilty and that includes Tyler Weinman. Too many biased and non factual opinions are being published about Tyler ... There has been no factual evidence found against [him] just that he happens to live in the area like lots of other people."

Weinman's attorney, David W. Macey, also claims his client is innocent.

"Tyler welcomes his day in court, so that he will be completely vindicated," Macey said in an email to cbs4.com.

Regardless of Weinman's guilt, Cutler Bay Mayor Paul Vrooman has issued a warning to others who might consider committing similar acts.

"I read a blog post this morning from one misguided poster who said he actually supported these acts because cats were a nuisance to him," Vrooman said. "To anyone who shares that opinion let me make this clear that cruelty is inhuman no matter what form it takes. The cruelty of these crimes was horrific for the animal victims but there were many human victims as well. Let's not forget the children and families who found their pets mutilated, these awful wounds inflicted a human toll."

Since May 11, at least two dozen domestic cats have been found dead in the Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay areas. Many of the feline victims were gutted and skinned, while others were found drained of blood and missing limbs.

Tyler Weinman is being held in the Miami-Dade County Jail on a $249.000 bond. According to jail officials, he is under suicide watch. If convicted, Weinman faces a minimum mandatory fine of $5,000 and six months in prison on each felony count.

Related Link:
Florida Police Seek Kitty Serial Killer

Photo Credits: Tyler Hayes Weinman: Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office; Alicia Glatzer: AP Photo/J Pat Carter

Please note: Persons appearing in mug shots may not have not been convicted of the charges for which they are accused and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission from Discovery Communications. All quotes must include a link back.

Florida Police Seek Kitty Serial Killer

June 10, 2009

"You are the Great Cat, the avenger of the gods, and the judge of words, and the president of the sovereign chiefs, and the governor of the holy circle; you are indeed the Great Cat."

The above quote was once inscribed on a royal tomb in Ancient Egypt. At the time, cats were fiercely protected and treated as gods. Fast forward a few thousand years, and cats’ privileged position has somewhat waned; however, they remain a choice pet, with approximately 70 million cats living in the United States alone. Therefore, it is no surprise that a serial cat killer is causing an uproar in Florida, to the extent that police and the community at large are anxious to see the perpetrator caught and punished for his or her misdeeds.

For the past month, cat owners in two suburban South Miami-Dade neighborhoods have been finding their beloved cats murdered and mutilated. Many of the feline victims were gutted and skinned, while others were found drained of blood and missing limbs.

"It's just evil times, horrible times," local resident Carol Barber said in an interview with sun-sentinel.com. "This is just awful."

One of the earlier victims, "Miss Kitty," was found dead in a yard next to her owner's house. The cat's skull was crushed, and her hind legs were skinned. The brutal killing still haunts Miss Kitty's owner, Mary Lou Shad, who says she is reminded of the incident every time she hears of another killing.

"I'm in their shoes and I see my cat again," Mary Lou told the Associated Press. "I feel terrorized to the point where, everywhere I go, I'm looking for dead cats on the side of the road."

Since May 11, at least two dozen domestic cats have been found dead in the Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay areas. While police in both neighborhoods do not deny the deaths, they disagree on what is causing them. Miami-Dade police officials blame a human for the killings, whereas Lauderhill police think another animal or animals, possibly a pack of wild dogs, are responsible.

''It appears an animal is doing this,'' Lauderhill police spokesman Rick Rocco told miamiherald.com, citing the recent capture of a stray pit bull that he feels is part of a pack that has been roaming the area.

While it is possible the cases are unrelated, Miami-Dade police are convinced that a person is responsible for at least some of the murders.

''We take a very dim view of this,'' Miami-Dade police spokesman Bobby Williams said in an interview with the same Web site. “We find it very disturbing that an individual would do something like this to defenseless animals.''

According to Williams, Miami-Dade police have collected enough evidence in 15 of the cases to prosecute. The only thing they need is a suspect.

Jack Levin, a criminology professor at Northeastern University in Boston, told gazette.com that he finds the attacks worrisome, as many notorious serial human killers began their life of crime torturing and killing animals.

"They are deciding who lives and dies and how much the animal suffers. It gives them a sense of control and dominance," he said.

Levin is not the only one concerned about the attacks. Several local residents have already expressed concerns that the kitty killer might turn to humans next.

"Is this possible? Of course," Rebecca Perez, a detective with the Miami-Dade Police Department, told gazette.com, adding, "We have no way of knowing or predicting that."

So, while the mystery of who and why remains, officials are warning cat owners to keep a short leash on their pets.

"Residents should keep their cats inside their homes until it has been determined who or what has caused these deaths and there is no longer a threat to the feline population of the village,'' Palmetto Bay Mayor Eugene Flinn said in a recent press release.

Many local residents are taking heed of the warnings and no longer allowing their cats the freedom to explore the outdoors. Instead, some owners are posting signs about the kitty killer throughout the area. One such sign reads, in part, "Be aware that there is a psychopathic coward killing cats."

Meanwhile, police in nearby Broward County suspect that a copy-cat cat killer could be responsible for recent killings in that area. At least two of the victims were mutilated in manner similar to the killings in other areas.

According to officials in Broward County, they are comparing notes with Miami-Dade investigators to determine if a link between the cases exists. In the mean time, residents will have to wait and wonder where the kitty serial killer is going to strike next.

In Ancient Egypt, cat killers were put to death. Today, the punishment is significantly less severe, especially in Florida, where animal cruelty is considered a third-degree felony, which is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and or imprisonment of up to 5 years.

A reward in excess of $12,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the kitty killings. Anyone with information is asked to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477 or Miami-Dade Animal Services Investigator Fernando J. Casadevall Jr. at 305-884-1102, ext. 240.

Photo Credit: Alicia Glatzer holds a family photo of one her cats, Sarah, Tuesday, June 9, 2009 in her south Miami home. Sarah is one of many cats that has been killed in the area. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission from Discovery Communications. All quotes must include a link back.

Female Sex Killers: The Devious Predators

April 30, 2009

As an expert criminal profiler who has studied and investigated serial killers for over 20 years, Dr. Deborah Schurman-Kauflin has had contact with some of the world's most elusive hunters. Dr. Schurman-Kauflin is also the only profiler who has ever interviewed and profiled a large group of female serial killers. As a result of her first-hand experience, Dr. Schurman-Kauflin has come away with a vast knowledge of female predators - a knowledge that gives her unique insight into the Sandra Cantu murder case.

"Though rare, such predators are more common than the general public knows," Dr. Schurman-Kauflin told Investigation Discovery. "Why? In most instances, when a female rapes and kills a victim, the act is done in conjunction with a male partner. As such, when caught, the females play innocent and blame the male. This strategy has proven highly effective over the years because people are hesitant to believe that a woman could rape and murder. But it does happen, and sometimes, the female will act alone."

Of the many interviews that she has conducted, Dr. Schurman-Kauflin said that the only offender who ever made her feel uncomfortable was a female sex killer who bragged about the pleasure she felt whenever she drew blood with a knife. That same offender also told Dr. Schurman-Kauflin that given the opportunity, she would kill again.

"These offenders are a unique breed in that they have a real taste for hurting helpless victims," Dr. Schurman-Kauflin said. "They enjoy the feeling they get when using objects to rape. In fact, female rape killers will often use jagged instruments when they attack. These women are especially brutal with female victims, and will almost always mutilate the genitalia. Such women have told me that they chose to hurt their victims so viciously because it turned them on. Like their male counterparts, it was sexually exciting."

According to Dr. Schurman-Kauflin, it is the gender of these "super predators" that allows them access to almost any type of victim.

"To capture their prey, these women use a rouse to trick their victims who are always smaller in size," Dr. Schurman-Kauflin said. "They use their gender as a cover for their evil intentions because most people find it hard to believe that the fairer sex could rape and kill a child. However, children are not their only victims. Such offenders have been known to target adults since everyone is less wary of a woman."

Through her studies, Dr. Schurman-Kauflin has learned that female killers are drawn to traditionally feminine jobs, such as nursing, care giving, teaching and the sex trade.

"These fields give them natural cover to get close to victims," she said. "Like their male counterparts, female sex killers fantasize about rape and murder. However, unlike men, women tend to be less selective about the type of victims they choose. For instance, male sex killers typically prefer certain types of victim such as twenty-year-old blondes. But for the women, victim age and gender are less important than opportunity. Female predators search for that which is easy to get. If she works in a nursing home, she may go after the elderly and rape them in their beds. If the woman works as a prostitute, she will target customers. If she teaches, she often sets her sights on students. These women crave what is familiar to them, and they watch their prey over time to assess how easy it would be to attack. The killers tend to have spotty work histories as well as a string of failed relationships. They dabble in sexual relationships and will try everything from lesbianism to child molestation.  Emotionally they find it hard to be centered, and family will cover for the women when they engage in strange behavior."

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

January 01, 2009

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

February 15, 2008

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...

To read the complete article, click here.