THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 29, 1996 TAG: 9601290074
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAVE ADDIS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Chesapeake police have identified the body found Saturday in a Western Branch ditch and confirmed that the crime may be connected to 10 other homicides over the past nine years.
A police spokeswoman said Sunday that the latest victim was Jessie J. Spencer Jr., a 30-year-old male with no permanent address. Spencer's last known residence was in the 800 block of East 29th St. in Norfolk.
Officer Elizabeth Jones said ``there are similarities'' between Simpson's death and the string of previous murders. Simpson's body was found nude, face down in a ditch Saturday at the dead end of Jolliff Road. He was identified through fingerprints.
The 10 earlier victims were found in similar circumstances, most of them at rural sites in Chesapeake. At least eight of them had been strangled. The cause of Spencer's death will not be released until autopsy results are completed, Jones said.
The series of related slayings dates to the summer of 1987, with the murders generally occurring several months apart. Before Spencer's body was found, the last previous victim was found eight months ago, in May 1995.
Most of the victims have been drifters or street hustlers. Several had a history of minor brushes with the law. A regional Serial Killer Task Force is cooperating in the investigation.
Jones asked that anyone with knowledge of Spencer contact the Chesapeake Crime Line at 487-1234 or 436-8900, or Detective Mike Fischetti at 436-8458. ILLUSTRATION: RICHARD L. DUNSTON
The Virginian-Pilot
Chesapeake police investigate the ditch along Jolliff Road in
Western Branch where a body was found Saturday. The victim has been
identified as Jessie J. Spencer Jr., a 30-year-old male with no
permanent address. Police believe the death may be connected to 10
other homicides.
KEYWORDS: SERIAL KILLING MURDER by CNB