Profile of a killer (8/26)

Posted August 25, 2009 at 11:30 pm
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By DORIS MARICLE
AMERICAN PRESS

JENNINGS — Officials are following up on leads in the case of a young woman whose body was found along Interstate 10 last Wednesday, and in the deaths of seven other women whose bodies have been found in Jeff Davis Parish over the past four years, Sheriff Ricky Edwards said Tuesday.

He wouldn’t be specific about the new information, but said people have sent e-mails to the “America’s Most Wanted” Web site and have contacted the syndicated television show’s hot line since Necole Guillory’s body was discovered last week.

She is the eighth victim — including Loretta Lynn Chaisson Lewis, 28; Ernestine Marie Daniels Patterson, 30; Kristen Elizabeth Gary Lopez, 21; Whitnei Charlene Dubois, 26; Laconia Shontel “Muggy” Brown, 23; Crystal Shay Benoit Zeno, 23; and Brittney Gary, 17 — in a series of mysterious deaths involving young women from the Jennings area.

The tips were immediately forwarded to a task force assigned to investigate the deaths, Edwards said. A number of calls have also been made to a local hot line set up last year to gather information on the women’s disappearances and deaths.

“The task force continues to seek information from the public, and will continue to share as much information as possible with the public about these investigations without jeopardizing the investigation or prosecution,” he said.

“No matter how small the information you have is, we ask that you give the information to us and let us follow the leads.”

Most of the leads are tips that people say link to all of the deaths, Edwards said. Others are calls about behavioral changes that the task force asked the public to look for in people they know.

“I think that people are doing what we asked in noticing these behavior changes, and if the public continues to be vigilant in their observation and report it to authorities, we will eventually catch and bring this person to justice,” he said.

Recent media coverage, increased public awareness and the efforts of the task force may have led the killer to alter his behavior, Edwards said.

He urged people to continue to remain alert to changes in acquaintances’ behavior and provided an updated list of characteristics that the killer may have exhibited since the discovery of Guillory’s body:

He may have recently left the Jennings area, perhaps abruptly.
He may have recently discontinued his contact with the area of Jennings once frequented by the victims.
He may have recently altered his appearance.
He may have altered the appearance of his vehicle, such as having it painted.

Previously he said the offender is likely to:

Pay close attention to the police investigation, media coverage and private discussions of the deaths.
Have displayed increased nervousness immediately after the deaths and the discovery of the bodies.
Have increased his use of drugs and alcohol to contend with the nervousness and stress resulting from increased police and public vigilance.
Have altered his daily routine immediately after the deaths. He may have left the area temporarily; he may have been absent from work or canceled appointments or social engagements.
Have changed his vehicle, sold, or claimed to have sold it, cleaned or had it cleaned.
Have strong ties and be familiar with the Jennings area.
Have been seen in the area where the women disappeared or frequents the area.

Anyone with information on any of the cases can call the 24-hour hot line, 337-824-6662. Callers can remain anonymous.

A $35,000 reward is being offered for information leading to convictions in the deaths.

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