East Deschire Police Searching For Serial Killer

Police ask public for clues in serial murders

RANELLE, EDS--Police in northwestern East Deschire believe they have a serial killer on their hands, and they're asking the public for information that might lead to an arrest.

The first of the killings occurred on Christmas Day in the town of Ranelle, which is located on the northwestern edge of Mt. Aulder National Park, about 60 miles from Ridgeview. According to the Aulder-Greenwich County Sheriff's Department, three bodies, two males, 18 and 43, and one female, 46, were found shot to death inside a home three miles southeast of the Ranelle city limits. Upon investigation of the crime scene, police discovered some items missing from the home, including cash, guns, and jewelry. However, the victims' credit cards were left untouched. Police also found a variety of drugs and paraphernalia inside the home as well.

Just two days later on December 27th, another man, 47, was found dead inside his home, only five miles from the first murder scene. He was reportedly shot with the same type of weapon as the three previous victims. The victim's wallet was taken, but other valuables inside the home were not touched.

And less than a week later, January 2nd, an armed man burst into the home of two elderly women in Ridgeview, nearly 60 miles from the other crime scenes. The suspect robbed and threatened the women, but they were not harmed. He then escaped into the street and has not been seen since.

Police believe the suspect in all three cases is the same person. They do not know his identity, but accounts from witnesses and the two victims who survived have provided clues to the suspect's routine of burglary, robbery, and sometimes murder.

"This individual likes to enter homes, take a few things, and then kill his victims," lead investigator Ron Kower told WRDG-TV of Ridgeview.

Still, police believe the triple murder crime scene in Ranelle was done by someone close to the victims. They believe the second killing two days later, and the home invasion nearly a week later, were unplanned attacks and the victims chosen at random.

"We believe the killer knew his first three victims. The other victims were just in the wrong place at the wrong time," Kower said.

As expected, the brutal killing spree has left this small mountain-side community of 15,000 frightened, and residents are left wondering why such an attack could happen in such an otherwise peaceful place.

"It's stunning, absolutely," Ranelle Mayor Jeff Hockley told local media. "The entire town is on edge. It's a very scary situation, and very saddening as well."

Unfortunately, police have little to go on, except that the suspect is believed to be a white male in his mid-40s, with short brown hair, and approximately 5'9 in height and 170 lbs in weight. He also is believed to have tattoos on his arms, but no specific designs have been identified.

If you have any information on these crimes, you are asked to contact one of the following agencies:

Aulder-Greenwich County Sheriff's Department: 1-(354)-211-8090
Rocky Hills County Sheriff's Department: 1-(354)-422-2525
Royal Agency of Investigation: 1-500-311-2100