DATE: Wednesday, July 30, 1997              TAG: 9707300521

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: KILL DEVIL HILLS                  LENGTH:   68 lines

REWARD GROWS TO $3,700 FOR LEADS IN DEATH OF WAITRESS

The reward for information leading to an arrest in the slaying of popular waitress Denise Johnson has climbed to $3,700.

Johnson, 33, was stabbed to death July 13 at her Norfolk Street home. No arrests have been made.

``We're still following all of our leads,'' Kill Devil Hills Chief Ray Davis said Tuesday. ``So far, we've had a lot of frustration and aggravation.''

The latest contribution to the Crime Line reward comes from a group called The Friends of Denise Johnson, which has raised $1,200. Bank accounts have been established up and down the beach to handle contributions to increase the reward for information about the slaying of Johnson before her house was set afire.

Kill Devil Hills Detective Sgt. Jim Mulford, the law enforcement liaison for the Dare Community Crime Line, said citizen efforts to increase the reward could benefit the investigation.

``They help because they get people together and they get people talking,'' Mulford said. ``Any idea is better than none, and it could be the right one. Everything helps.''

While investigators have conducted nearly 200 interviews in the search for Johnson's killer, the Crime Line has generated few leads.

``We've talked to a lot of people here in the department, but we've only had a couple of calls on the Crime Line,'' Mulford said. ``That's kind of disappointing.''

The Crime Line is a cooperative effort between all local, state and federal agencies to assist in solving crimes. Local agencies meet on a weekly basis to exchange information on various crimes.

``All the little communities get together to talk about what's going on,'' Mulford said. ``Usually, what happens in this five-mile stretch is happening in the eight miles above us and the four miles below us.''

Mulford has tracked all Crime Line calls since 1983. From March 1983 to March 1996, Crime Line received 313 calls, resulting in 124 arrests. Anonymous tips also led to the recovery of more than $65,000 in stolen property, and the seizure of $442,000 in illegal drugs.

The Crime Line also led to the capture of a convicted murderer.

Rewards for Crime Line tips vary, depending on the severity of the crime.

``We've given $50 for the recovery of a $100 bicycle,'' said Mulford. ``The more serious the crime, the larger the reward.''

Police emphasize that the identity of tipsters isn't required.

``You don't have to give your name, and you don't have to testify in court,'' Mulford said. Callers are provided a number to use when they dial police.

Some informants have gone to great lengths to ensure their anonymity.

``There was a woman who provided some information in a case north of here,'' Mulford said. ``After the case had been solved, she called. When we met for her to pick up the reward, she had a paper bag over her head.''

The Friends of Denise Johnson will hold a benefit from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Quagmire's in Kill Devil Hills.

Local bands Slic-50, B.C. Powdur and Scott Franson will perform.

Admission is $5.

Davis said physical evidence gathered in the case has been sent to the State Bureau of Investigation crime lab in Garner, N.C.

``It's going to be about three to four weeks before we get those results back,'' Davis said. ``We hope to find some link between the physical evidence and the information we've gathered so far.''

Anyone with information is urged to call 473-3111 or (800) 745-2746. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]

Denise Johnson KEYWORDS: REWARD UNSOLVED MURDER

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