A nationwide manhunt is underway for a suspect who is targeting and stabbing men. Investigators believe the suspect has attacked victims in Michigan, Virginia, and now Ohio. Out of the 16 attacks in Flint, Michigan, five have died. In Leesburg, Virginia police say that on August 3, 5, and 6th, three more attacks occurred. Chris Jones with the Leesburg Police told me two victims were attacked with a knife and another with a hammer. Over the weekend, yet another man was attacked in Toledo, Ohio. All of the cases have strong similarities and now investigators are looking for a Chevy S-10 Blazer, four-door, dark green with light tan color trim on the bottom. The vehicle has two large dents near the hood and could be a 1995-2000 model.
I spoke with Lt. TP Johnson of the Flint Police Department and he said, “What this guy is doing is driving up to them, getting out of his vehicle, pretending to have car trouble. Or asking for assistance in some way. The victims are guilty of trying to help someone asking for help. In [sic] several occasions he’s walked up and started stabbing.”
Norma Lopez MISSING (photo of the shirt she was wearing the day she vanished)
Norma Lopez vanished in broad daylight four days ago in Moreno Valley, California and investigators confirmed yesterday her body was found just a few miles from where she disappeared. Police told me Norma left her summer school classes at the Valley View High School and was supposed to meet her sister, but she never made it to the location. Investigators believe she may have taken a short cut from Dracaea Avenue leading out to an area on Cottonwood Avenue, but somewhere in between authorities believe she may have been kidnapped. In fact, some of her personal belongings were found in a field, and there could be signs of a struggle. Investigators believe she was taken against her will and may have been thrown into a newer model green SUV. That vehicle was seen fleeing from the area at a high rate of speed. Deputy Nieburger told me today that that vehicle may not necessarily be connected to the murder, but there could have been someone driving it that may have seen something. The area where Norma’s body was found is about three miles away from where she went missing, and her remains were in an open field on top of the ground.
The spring semester had just come to a close, and the Memorial Day weekend was on the horizon for Kyleigh Sousa. The 21-year-old Arizona State University student was on her way to grab a bite to eat with a friend around 2 a.m. when her life changed forever. Tempe Police Sgt. Steve Carbajal told me that Kyleigh was approached by a “brazen criminal” who was driving a silver Chrysler 300 or Dodge Charger. He was described as being Hispanic and heavy-set. Investigators recently released a sketch, hoping it would bring in new clues. After talking to Kyleigh, the suspect grabbed her purse and she became entangled. Kyleigh was dragged by the vehicle, hit her head, and died. Sgt. Carbajal told me, “She didn’t have an opportunity to get away” and was pronounced dead at the hospital. There’s now a manhunt to find her killer.
It’s been nearly two weeks since motorists found a body on the side of the 105 Freeway in Los Angeles. Investigators say Edwinta Hereford, 20, was laying naked in the emergency lane, and they believe she may have been thrown from a moving vehicle. Edwinta’s mother is now speaking out and begging anyone with information to come forward.
Remembering Edwinta Hereford
The first 9-1-1 call came in at 5:40 a.m. At first the sheriff’s department did not know Edwinta’s identity. The only thing they were working with initially was a tattoo on her back. According to Edwinta’s Facebook, she was “in a relationship” and enjoyed modeling inher spare time.
An autopsy will determine the official cause of death, but police say it does not appear that she was shot or stabbed.
The Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau needs your leads, please call them: (323) 890-5500
A community in Edgewood, Washington came together over the weekend to raise money for a family who watched their loved one be brutally murdered last week. The killers are still on the run, and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office is hunting down the suspects. Investigators say the murder is most likely linked to another attack and robbery on April 25, 2010 in nearby Lake Stevens, Washington.
Investigators say Jim Sanders, 43, posted an ad on the popular Craigslist website to sell a diamond ring. Jim gave his home address to the potential buyers, and on April 28, 2010, a group showed up at his residence. Instead of making a successful transaction, the suspects had another agenda. Investigators say three men and one woman ransacked Jim’s home, tied up his wife and kids, and fatally shot Jim.
Police sketches of suspects
Investigators believe this murder is linked to another Craigslist attack and robbery on April 25th. Police say the same suspects ransacked a house in Lake Stevens, and made off with thousands in money and electronics.
A missing Florida State University graduate student, who went missing earlier this month, may have been found in a field in Florida this week. Authorities say Vincent Binder’s remains were discovered and the medical examiner is working to determine the official cause of death. Investigators believe three escapees may be responsible for Vincent’s disappearance and murder.
The escapee story is one I originally brought to you a few weeks ago. On March 30, 2010, the three inmates escaped from Alexandria, Louisiana. They were captured 15 days later, but their trail of destruction from Louisiana to Florida is large and detailed.
BACKGROUND: U.S. Marshals say the inmates drummed up an elaborate plan to break out of the Avoyelles Parish jail. One of the inmates, Quentin M. Truehill, made a handmade knife and allegedly held it to the throat of a correctional officer, threatening to kill him if he didn’t open the door. Another officer that was witnessing the attack tried to help, but couldn’t and was cut on the hand. The inmates escaped on foot, and the local sheriff believes they were picked up by an accomplice in a nearby parking lot.
A three month old baby, who was allegedly thrown by her father off a parkway bridge, may have been found over the weekend. New Jersey State Police say they are waiting to positively identify the remains, but the body appears to be that of Zara Malani-Lin Abdur-Raheem. This information is based on the clothing and wrappings found on the child.
Investigators say Shamsid-Din Abdur-Raheem, the baby’s father, allegedly snatched the child from her grandmother’s home on February 16, 2010 and threw her off the bridge. Reports indicate Abdur-Raheem tried to strike the grandmother with a minivan after choking her when she tried to stop the abduction. The child’s mother was working on a temporary restraining order against Abdur-Raheem before the baby was killed.
Abdur-Raheem is currently being held on a $2 million bail, and pleaded not guilty last month.
More than 200 brand new photoswere finally released by the NYPD this week in the Rodney Alcala serial killer case. Investigators are hoping to identify all of the people in the photos. Authorities in California released an initial stash of pictures last month to the public out of whichmore than 20 women have been identified and are said to be doing well. At that time, another batch was sent off to the NYPD cold-case squad, but wasnot immediately made public.
All of the photos depict women, girls and young boys. Along with being on death row for five murders, police say Alcala is a suspect in two other cold-case killings in New York. Cornelia Crilley, 23, was raped and strangled in 1971, and her case was never solved. Also, Ellen Jane Hover, 23, disappeared in 1977. Her bones were found in a grave a short time later. Alcala may have been the last person to see her alive.
Police say Christopher Kyser Miree was shot in his head and left for dead on Friday. Investigators say on April 16, 2010, around 11:30 p.m. they received a call for a medical emergency. When authorities arrived at 4 Macy Place they found Christopher lying in blood. He was rushed to USA Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Christopher was the president of Vanderbilt’s chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, and graduated in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering. He was working at Chevron Corporation in Mobile, Alabama when he was killed. Christopher’s funeral will be held today, 3 p.m. at the Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
Christopher’s brother Harry wrote a blog post on Sunday about his family member:
Dear Friends,
Please accept this letter from the bottom of my heart as I don’t yet have the strength to return your loving phone calls and heartfelt messages.
I’ve been staring at this blank page for three hours now. My hands are still trembling uncontrollably. There’s just good no way to share with you the details of my worst nightmare.
Today marks the start of National Crime Victims’ Rights week. The Office for Victims of Crime is urging the public to honor victims and to help those with unsolved cases across America. There are great resources available to help plan an effective week in your own communities. Log on to check out the resource guide.
Michelle Sigona is a crime fighting, victims advocate extraordinaire, but for Michelle -- the good fight doesn't stop there. In her spare time, she is a volunteer firefighter -- and now, she is tackling the issues and cases that mean the most to her....
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