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CNN Live Today

Baton Rouge Killer at Large

Aired August 01, 2002 - 13:19   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Fear is building in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where a serial killer is on the loose, perhaps ready to strike again. In the past 10 months, three women have been found murdered, all near Louisiana State University.

CNN's Ed Lavandera is following the story now from Baton Rouge.

Ed, what are the developments?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.

Well, investigators her emphasize that they have no idea who this person is, and they are not sure when or how he might strike again. They are trying to figure all that out because they have gone through DNA testing that linked for investigators the three murders here that have happened here in the last 10 months -- three of the murders that have happened here in the last 10 months have been committed by what they believe is the same person, a lone man which they now consider a serial killer at this point.

And there hasn't just been a whole lot of information that's been able to come forward for investigators. In fact, out of the three murders, there's only been one witness. And to help move this process along, one of the members -- one of the victims' families, Pam Kinamore, her family is now offering a $75,000 dollar reward to anyone who has information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the serial killer here in Baton Rouge. Pam Kinamore was third victim connected to this serial killer. She was killed on July 12.

And it is also the only case where a witness has come forward. That witness has told police that that night he saw a white pick-up driving down the interstate, pulling off at the exit around where Pam Kinamore's body was found. And he also told police that he believed to have seen the body of a woman slumped over in the passenger seat of the car. That person, we understand, is under police protection, because there is concern for his safety. So police have not released his name at all at this point.

But a lot of family members sharing a lot of details about their lives. Investigators say they found no connection between any of these victims, except for the only connection -- that they were killed, they believe, by the same person -- but no other connection: These women did not know each other, and that has created quite an amount of fear in a lot of people here in Baton Rouge, as women have been told, and men as well, let's be careful who they answer their door to.

They say that the perpetrator in this case walked up to these people's homes. There were no signs of forced entry, and that leads them to believe that either the doors were open or they were able to convince the people to open up the door for them. And that's what's created a lot of fear here in Baton Rouge.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CPL. DON KELLY, BATON ROGUE POLICE: The level of fear and apprehension in the community right now is very high, and that is because I don't think we have ever seen anything quite like this in the city, at least not in recent memory, and it strikes a chord, particularly with single women and young women who travel alone and live alone, that they could be a potential target to someone who is selecting victims in a way that we don't understand yet.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAVANDERA: Investigators are still trying to piece together exactly what they think this person's operation is and who exactly they are trying to pinpoint. There's no clear evidence at this point for investigators that point them down any specific direction as to what this person is looking for.

The FBI is also helping out in that part of the investigation. They are putting together a profile of who they think the suspect might be. That is in the process of being done as well.

One other note: There is a public meeting that will be taking place this evening, or at 6:00 central time, where the public has been invited to gather with police officers. They will be offering suggestions on how to better protect yourself. And that meeting will be taking place near the Louisiana State University campus, which is where -- near where -- the first two murders occurred, back in September -- September of last year and in May of this year.

Kyra, back to you.

PHILLIPS: All right, Ed Lavandera, out of Baton Rouge, thank you.

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