ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 27, 1996 TAG: 9604290038
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press
City officials refused Friday to discuss their investigation of a series of women's deaths, saying that might hinder their inquiry and the ultimate prosecution of anyone arrested.
Richmond Police Chief Jerry Oliver would not comment on whether police believe the women's deaths are related or whether investigators think the killings were committed by the same person.
``Limiting the amount of information released is crucial,'' Oliver told reporters at police headquarters.
Commonwealth's Attorney David Hicks urged the news media not to speculate on the cases or report any leaks from the police, saying that would only hinder the investigation.
``There are individuals out there, in our worst-case scenario ... that it may in fact might be fueling the fire by so much attention.''
According to Friday's Richmond Times-Dispatch, four women killed in the near West End of Richmond since Jan. 1 died by strangulation.
The newspaper, citing sources it did not identify, said two women found dead in their homes Tuesday and two others killed earlier this year were strangled. The paper said 19 women aged 55 and older have been killed in the area since 1990.
A task force investigating the deaths for possible links has asked the FBI for help with a possible profile of someone who could be responsible for some of the killings, Richmond City Manager Robert Bobb said Thursday.
Neither Oliver nor Hicks would comment on the psychological profile.
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines KEYWORDS: FATALITYby CNB