Bodies Of Two Men Found In Schuylkill River; Third Man, Also Stabbed, Recovering
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia police are investigating a stabbing, an alleged abduction and the discovery of two bodies in the Schuylkill River in Fairmount Park. It's one of the most barbaric murders Philadelphia homicide detectives say they've ever seen.
The investigation began around 4:00 a.m. Wednesday along the 2300 block of Kelly Drive, when police found a 20-year-old man partially clothed, soaking wet, and suffering from stab wounds to his torso and legs.
"He was walking in his underwear with his hands and feet bound," said Captain James Clark. "He was bleeding from multiple stab wounds."
The man told police he had been kidnapped a few hours earlier by five men and thrown into the back of a van. Once inside the van, the man said, he realized two other victims were already there, bound, and it appeared they had been stabbed numerous times.
The man told investigators he was blindfolded, bound at the hands and wrists with duct tape, robbed, and stabbed multiple times before all three men were driven to the river and thrown into the water, where he managed to free himself.
Police were notified and a search of the river began. The bound, dead bodies of two men were found and pulled from the water a short time later. Police say their throats were slashed.
"Both of the dead bodies had duct tape wrapped around their face," said chief inspector Scott Small. "They also both appeared to be bound at the wrists and ankles. They also appeared to be tied or tethered to some sort of piece of debris, some sort of weight used as an anchor to keep them under water."
Bodies In River
Several different police units were on the scene, including the marine unit.
The unidentified man who survived was being treated at Hahnemann University Hospital. Detectives planned to speak with him at the hospital to get more information.
Police say the victims did know each other -- although it's not clear if they knew the suspect(s) -- and they are investigating the incident as drug-related.
"These three were very much targeted," said Captain Clark.
Investigators located some cameras in the area where he was allegedly abducted that they hope will help identify the suspects and the van used in the crime.
Police won't disclose where the man was abducted from, but they say it was within the city.
"We're looking for any evidence -- any tire tracks, any footprints because it is a dirty, muddy area. And if a van did back off of the paved parking lot and onto the grass, onto the dirt, we may be able to get some cast impressions of the tire tracks, and possibly even footprints," said Small. "We're looking for any other evidence we can find."
Police collected evidence from the home of the surviving victim. His neighbors say they're taking extra precaution at night.
"I'm looking over my shoulder more, I'm leery when there's a van," said neighbor Righteous Jolly. "It's scary."
Detectives say their main source of information will be that surviving victim. He remains in the hospital in critical condition.
CBS 3's Noel McLaren contributed to this report.
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