Return to Transcripts main page

Breaking News

Sioux City Police Looking For Murder Suspect

Aired August 31, 2001 - 07:02   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.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Right now directly to Sioux City, Iowa. The chief of police there on this murder investigation.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

CHIEF JOE FRISBIE, SIOUX CITY, IOWA POLICE: A short time later additional officers were sent to 311 West Street for multiple homicides. Sioux City police are asking help in locating an individual wanted for questioning in regards to these homicides. This subject should be considered armed and dangerous.

The Woodbury County attorney's office has issued a warrant charging this individual with theft in the first degree, a Class C felony. The subject's name is Adam Matthew Moss. He's a white male, 23 years of age, 5'9", 170 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes.

The victim from 3815 Sheldon Way (ph) has been identified as Ronald Earl Fish, 58 years of age. We have not yet positively identified the victims from 311 West Street, so no names will be released from that until we've made absolute positive identifications and notification to the nearest relatives, that sort of thing. So that's what's holding that particular one up. But later in the day I'm sure that we'll be able to discuss that in further detail.

Having said this, if anyone has any questions, I'll...

QUESTION: Chief, what's the connection between Moss and the two...

FRISBIE: As, what I know right now, I don't believe there's any connection between the victims, but there is a connection between the person that we're looking for. Mr. Moss definitely knew the victims from both homicides, from both houses. So that's the connection.

QUESTION: Is there a connection between when they died, how they were killed?

FRISBIE: Pardon?

QUESTION: Is there a connection in how they were killed?

FRISBIE: Again, I'll tell you this, this is one of the most heinous, brutal homicides that I've probably ever witnessed. I won't be able to tell you how the homicides took place or what instruments were used or that sort of thing because, to be honest with you, that's going to be very important investigative information in the very near future for a lot of investigative reasons that I won't go into. But at a later time I suspect we'll be able to talk more freely about that.

But I can tell you this, that there's no question they're homicides. There was extreme trauma, very, very brutal homicides in all cases. And I can tell you in the 34 years I've been a police officer I've, you know, we've seen a lot of homicides. I've never seen one as bad as this.

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: If you can't be specific about the instrument, can you tell us what's the signature used in both cases of the multiple deaths and the...

FRISBIE: Can I tell you what now?

QUESTION: Was the same instrument or tool or whatever used in both cases?

FRISBIE: I won't comment on that.

QUESTION: Chief, do you know how long the bodies...

(CROSSTALK)

FRISBIE: Ma'am, you were -- you've been trying for some time.

QUESTION: Thanks a lot.

FRISBIE: Go ahead.

QUESTION: Does Moss work for the Ben Fish Tire Company?

FRISBIE: No.

QUESTION: Does he not really (OFF-MIKE)?

FRISBIE: No, he doesn't. No.

QUESTION: Can you tell us what led you to Mr. Moss?

FRISBIE: I have to be a little careful about that. There's been a known relationship between these two for some time, going back at least five years, a documented relationship as to the fact that they knew each other from -- and, from prior contacts that we've had with them, that sort of thing. We are aware of this particular relationship so...

QUESTION: Between which two, Chief?

FRISBIE: Between Mr. Moss and Mr. Fish.

Yes, ma'am? QUESTION: Yes, a 1999 Silver Intrigue was impounded. Who does it belong to?

FRISBIE: I'm not sure on that. There has -- yes, there has been a...

QUESTION: Is that the theft?

FRISBIE: There's been a vehicle that belonged to Mr. Fish that has been impounded.

QUESTION: OK.

FRISBIE: I know that. I don't know if that's the same one or if there's another one there or not, OK?

Yes?

QUESTION: Do you believe Moss is in town still?

LIN: That is the latest on the investigation out of Sioux City, Iowa. As you know by now, seven people found brutally murdered. That was the police chief of Sioux City saying that in his 34 years this is the most brutal, heinous murder he has ever seen in his career.

He does say that the suspect they are looking for is a 23-year- old named Adam Matthew Moss. If we have his picture we can throw it up very quickly. He's 5'9", 170 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes and that police have established a connection between Adam Matthew Moss and the male victim, Ronald Earl Fish, who was just identified, 58 years old. He was found across town from where this mother and five children were found brutally murdered.

The mother and five children not officially identified yet. They are not giving the details of what weapons were used or how the victims died because the police chief says that will be critical to their investigation. But a manhunt is officially on now.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com