Meeting Held In Kensington To Discuss Recent 'Strangler' Attacks
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Saturday morning, community leaders and police officials met at the Cardinal Bevilacqua Community Center to discuss what actions people in Kensington can take to help police catch the man behind these brutal attacks and killings of young women.
Dozens of residents expressed concern at a community meeting Saturday morning about the 'Kensington Strangler'. Some residents questioned police about their efforts to catch the killer. Some feel the police aren't doing enough.
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Police have identified a woman they believe is the latest victim of the so-called "Kensington Strangler." Also, investigators released surveillance video Friday of a man they believe is the strangler.
An autopsy has confirmed that 27-year-old Casey Mahoney died as a result of being strangled.
"Homicide by strangulation. But we don't have an analysis of DNA yet, which we're hopeful we'll get an analysis of DNA soon that can match it," Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said.
Ramsey says despite that, police are going to assume that this is all part of the same pattern of this serial killer-rapist. Ramsey says the background of all three victims is very similar.
Investigators said Mahoney (right) is from East Stroudsburg, Pa. (in the Poconos).
The trash-littered lot where Mahoney's body was found is the same neighborhood where the strangler has been victimizing women.
Mahoney's body was found Wednesday afternoon in a lot in the 100 block of Tusculum Street.
Police said she was undressed from the waist down and had a plastic bag over her face. Her body was "posed," according to investigators, which can often help police determine a "signature" of a serial killer.
The Kensington strangler is suspected of murdering 21-year-old Elaine Goldberg and 35-year-old Nicole Piacentini. Goldberg was found dead on November 3rd in a vacant lot and Piacentini was found dead in an abandoned property on November 16th.
Additionally, at least four other women have survived attacks by the strangler.
Late Friday afternoon, investigators released surveillance of a man they believe is the strangler.
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The video was captured on December 6, moments before the man attacked a 33-year-old woman at about 2:10 a.m. in the 1800 block of E. Sergeant Street near Kensington Avenue. The woman was able to escape her attacker.
Detectives with the Special Victims Unit said the suspect has a specific gait or walk and are hoping someone will recognize that feature.
Reported By Kim Glovas, KYW Newsradio; Robin Culverwell, KYW Newsradio; Walt Hunter, CBS3; and Todd Quinones, CBS 3; Jericka Duncan, CBS 3.
