Thank you Steve...and just as I was about to ask you to bring out the foil for a hat making party!
nursebeeme | 07.02.08 - 11:23 pm | #

Hey Nurse! I think people are basically just bored. Fantasies of boogeymen are much more entertaining than the boring ol' baby daddy weasle murderer.
Emerson | 07.02.08 - 11:52 pm | #

There is a serial killer operating in the nearby Cape Fear area. The police won't come out and admit it, but the evidence is pretty strong, seeing how two female bodies--apparently killed months apart--were found dumped in the same place.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/ ar...near_on_one_set
Nancy Collins | 07.03.08 - 1:16 am | #

hey Emmers! I hear ya!
nursebeeme | 07.03.08 - 1:18 am | #

Interesting article, Nancy.
D.P. | 07.03.08 - 3:54 am | #

Thanks for coming out of hiatus for this one, Steve. I've missed your in-depth crime-writing.

I agree that the baby-daddy fits the type to try to pull something like this. He may as well have written a note saying 'Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!'.

I'm picturing him as someone like Jethroe Clampett. His family probably thinks he is so, so smart, because he is studying psych-ops. Inflated ego, average intelligence, no good sense.

JMO
Susan (TGIRecovered) | 07.03.08 - 12:05 pm | #

Having spent time in both places, no one, not even a deranged serial killer, is nuts enough to relocate from N. California to Fayetteville!(Unless he heard how much cheaper it is for retirees down there. And of course the golf courses are great for active seniors....)

Clearly the killer (very, very, very likely the father of the child) was counting on some "Zodiac" hysteria as a diversion (He probably saw the movie). But fortunately it's unlikely trained investigators are going to drop good local leads to hunt for a geriatric killer from the other side of the country.
Melanie | 07.03.08 - 2:45 pm | #

I think you're right on the money Steve. Whomever killed her was in the military. The "zodiac" letter used the military memorandum format-including block paragraphs and date style ex. 4July08. Additionally, it's in that matter of fact style soldiers are taught to use. Who, what, when, and where right out of the gate, no passive voice here.

"The following is to inform that I am responsible for the dead body that was found on Saturday, June 21 @ 1130 in room 143 at Fairfield INN by Marriott off Skibo RD."

Notice he writes "Fairfield INN by Marriott" exactly as it would appear on the marquee. That precise usage of the hotel's name gives away his military status. He's precise like that because the military has trained him to be that precise. In the military they train as they fight...lower standards in training can lead to sloppy execution in a real world scenario...a careless omission such as failing to include ST, AVE or BLVD can cost lives. Use of precise terms is one of many habits drilled into him to the point that it's part of him.

I think he's someone who has been in for a few years (E-6 or E-7), long enough that it didn't occur to him his writing style would stand out. Just my opinion anyway...

BTW Steve, glad you're back.
Shelby | 07.04.08 - 2:13 pm | #

I believe the killer was the ex-husband El Sayed Rada Touma who presently is a corrections officer in Charleston, SC.

The motive was a honor killing found in many Islamic countries. The name El Sayed or Al Sayyid is a title of honor translated as master or lord from the Arabic.

Only the direct descendants of the Fatima daughter of the prophet Mohammed carry this name. SPC Touma's ex-husband is an Egyptian. The murder occured during the time of the crescent moon giving honor to the Islamic god Allah.
Rodney | 07.06.08 - 1:09 am | #

Specialist Touma's ex-husband also served with her at Ft. Drum in New York. I believe El Sayed was possibly uses as an Arabic translator.

Body language plays a good part in identifying individuals ability to lie, and El Sayed would not make eye contact with the camera during his interview, only in brief moments, and there were no tears shed.
Rodney | 07.06.08 - 1:14 am | #

Any thoughts on why this story has vanished off of the news websites since before the start of July? I have read NOTHING about any updates since June 27th!
Melanie | 07.07.08 - 11:03 pm | #

Steve have u reviewed the tuscany killer premiered on msnbc. Same mo,similar time frame. Added genital mutiliation which the zodiac threatened. The watch found at the riverside murder was bought in England. I believe the zodiac is a multiple personality, various levels of maturity and IQ capacity. The zodiac operated at several levels intellectually. I think he has been killing in different MO's since l968. The zodiac could have started in late teens which would make him late 50's early 60, senile by no means if he has taken care of himself. Psychopaths are just that till death!
linda bryan | 07.09.08 - 12:43 pm | #

I am feeling fairly frustrated that constant and consistent news coverage/follow up are being given to the Wimunc and Cooper murders while the ball for this soldier's and infant's murders have dropped...in much the same way the ball was dropped on her absence for roll call.

It seems the moment the Army entered the picture with a second autopsy, everything fell silent.

Ordinary citizens only needed to take one look at the date of the published letter to recognize this was military-penned: 17 June...and I am wondering if they are waiting for this father, who never came forward to express any interest whatsoever, to finish his SF course and then flee to Mexico like an earlier soldier did.

UGH!
Molly | 07.19.08 - 3:31 am | #