THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 17, 1996 TAG: 9610170322
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY JUNE ARNEY AND PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITERS
LENGTH: 77 lines
A gay and lesbian club on the Outer Banks is sending fliers to its members alerting them that a man who could be Hampton Roads' serial killer recently approached a male high school student in Dare County.
``We're just doing it to raise awareness right now,'' said Terry Gifford, chairperson of the Outer Banks Gay and Lesbian Club. ``It scares me.''
The fliers picture a composite released by Chesapeake police of a man wanted in an attempted sexual assault on a dirt road in Chesapeake on Sept. 6. Chesapeake police have said there are some parallels between that case and the serial killer cases, but they have not said the composite represents the serial killer.
Chesapeake authorities are aware of the fliers, and a detective was to be on the Outer Banks today. But they could not say what, if any, connection, there might be to the attempted sexual assault suspect or to the serial killer.
``This guy looks like a lot of people,'' said Capt. Don Zeagler, who heads the criminal investigations section for Chesapeake police. ``It could be totally unrelated. What we believe is, the guy is successful here, why would he go down there? But if anyone sees him down there, we'll be glad to talk to him. We don't rule out anything. Maybe it could be connected.''
According to the flier, the Outer Banks incident occurred when a man who fit the composite drawing allegedly followed a Manteo High School student who was driving home from school last week. The man repeatedly flashed his lights trying to get the student to pull over.
The boy pulled over and the man then approached and asked if the boy wanted to have a ``good time,'' according to the flier. The boy refused and drove home, where he told his parents, who called police.
Dare County sheriff's officials and Southern Shores police did not return phone calls or were unavailable Wednesday.
Gifford said the gay and lesbian group has about 100 members and more than 250 people on its mailing list.
He said he is particularly concerned about children and young men who might be approached by the man. North Carolina authorities seem to believe that the man might have been looking for someone to approach at the school.
``I see kids hitchhiking every day,'' he said. ``One incident like this drives the point home that we need to heighten awareness.''
In the Chesapeake incident on Sept. 6, someone offered a ride to a man in the Berkley section of Norfolk about 8 p.m. The victim got into a van and the driver agreed to take him to another part of Norfolk. The suspect then asked if he could make another stop first. The victim agreed, and the driver took the victim to a secluded dirt road in the Bowers Hill area.
When the driver made sexual advances, a fight broke out. The victim fought off his attacker and fled on foot. The driver was calm, polite and conversational until he tried to force his victim to engage in sex, authorities said.
Nine of the 11 victims of the suspected serial killer were strangled. Two others may have been strangled, but the bodies were too badly decomposed for authorities to be sure.
Police say they have not linked the suspected serial killer with the slaying of Andrew ``Andre'' D. Smith, 38, whose body was found July 22 on the shoulder of Yadkin Road in Chesapeake.
The composite sketch of the attempted sexual assault suspect is of a man who is white, 33 to 37 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 185 pounds, with a medium complexion. He has straight blond to brown hair, hazel eyes and a thick mustache.
The man speaks with a Northern accent, possibly from New York or Massachusetts.
Most of the serial killer's victims were last seen in one of three areas: Norfolk's Ocean View section, downtown Norfolk or Portsmouth's Truxtun neighborhood. Many frequented late-night hangouts and several had stayed at Norfolk's Union Mission. Some victims were gay or had ties to the gay community. They also kept late hours and had unpredictable schedules. MEMO: MEMO: Anyone with information about the Chesapeake incident or who
can identify the man in the composite drawing is asked to call
investigators at 382-6161 or Crime Line at 487-1234. Calls also can be
made to the Serial Killer Tip Hot Line at 436-8900. Mail should be
addressed to detectives at P.O. Box 16291, Chesapeake, Va. 23328.
KEYWORDS: SERIAL KILLER by CNB