Developments this week continued to focus attention on what may be the single biggest goal shared by Kauaians: Catching the West Side serial killer. Police believe the murders of two women and the apparent attempted killing of a third woman
Developments this week continued to focus attention on what may be the single
biggest goal shared by Kauaians: Catching the West Side serial
killer.
Police believe the murders of two women and the apparent attempted
killing of a third woman since April may be the work of one person, as
emphasized by a sketch of a possible male suspect that has been circulated
through the news media for months.
The connection grew stronger earlier
this week when police revealed that there is a witness to the stabbing and
beating of the woman who survived May 22. The problem, investigators say, is
that the witness so far hadn’t talked to them – a potentially important missing
link in the drive to apprehend whoever stalked the three victims and took two
of their lives.
Police also indicated strongly that they’re closing in on
the killer. They noted, among other things, that they’re awaiting results of
tests of DNA taken from the victims and “persons of interest,” a police term
for someone who might turn out to be a suspect.
Meanwhile, Mayor Maryanne
Kusaka continues to champion the investigation. She spoke Sunday at a memorial
service at Lydgate Park for Daren Singer, the latest murder victim, and assured
Singer’s friends in attendance that “we all feel a very deep shame” over the
killings and attack and that “every day we work hard” to solve the
crimes.
The next day, Kusaka announced another $5,000 had been raised by
local business groups to add to the reward – now $15,000 – for information
leading to the arrest and conviction of the women’s assailant.
The service
organized by friends of Singer and the public pronouncements of police and
Kusaka helped maintain a high profile for the cases. Continuing that aproach
helps reassure Kaua’i that all efforts are being made to rid the island of a
murderous monster.