Severed body parts found near Hollywood sign

Two women were out walking their dogs in Hollywood Hills yesterday afternoon, when they made a gruesome discovery: a human head wrapped in a garbage bag.

Today, two human hands were found in a popular tourist area near the Hollywood sign, not far from where the head was discovered.

Authorities have not been able to identify him yet, but they believe he is a man in his 40s with grey hair. An autopsy on the head was performed today, but it yielded few new clues. According to authorities, there weren’t many signs of decomposition, meaning the body parts were most likely recently discarded.

TMZ is reporting that a passerby took a photo of the head yesterday, and is currently trying to sell it to different news outlets.

Police are searching the area extensively for more body parts, and will continue to search throughout the night into tomorrow. I’ll post updates on the search below.

UPDATE: 1/19 7:30 AM CST

Two human feet were found last night, also in the area where the head and hands were found.  Police are saying they believe the man is in the 40 – 60 year age range.

Police are continuing to search the area for more body parts, and are also working to figure out who this man is.

It’s obviously way too early to determine what exactly happened to this man or who is responsible, but I can’t help but let my mind go crazy with different theories. It could be a Mexican drug cartel killing, especially considering the dismemberment of the body. I learned long ago that it’s a pretty common practice among the Mexican drug lords to dismember bodies (I wrote a paper on it in college – scary stuff).

The location of the remains is a bit confusing though. The Hollywood Hills area is not only a well-traveled touristy area, but it’s a pretty wealthy area as well. It almost seems like an attention thing, to discard the remains over there.

I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

UPDATE: 1/19 7:25 PM CST

Jane Vellez-Mitchell covered this story tonight on her show, and I found out some interesting new things about this case.

Jane showed an interview taped earlier today with Commander Andrew Smith from the LAPD. Smith said that a human torso was found in Tucson, Arizona, but there’s no comfirmation of any connection to the body parts found in Hollywood Hills as of yet. Smith said that he thinks it’s a stretch that someone would dump a torso in Arizona and then drive all the way to Hollywood to dump the rest of the body, but that it is a possibility they are looking into.

Another thing Smith said that caught my attention was that it appears as though someone had been trying to hide the body parts. All along I’ve been thinking that the parts were in pretty public areas, or in plain sight.  Now that the police are saying the parts looked like they were actually hidden, I’m somewhat abandoning the drug cartel theory. I just don’t think members of the cartel would go to such lengths to hide their killings.

So what does that leave? A domestic incident? It might sound odd to some people, but there definitely have been cases where a woman has murdered her husband and then dismembered him. Melanie McGuire, for example, was a nurse from New Jersey who was found guilty of murdering her husband, dismembering his body and putting the pieces into three separate suitcases, and then throwing them into the Chesapeake Bay.

Or was this just a gruesome random crime? To me, dismembering someone seems like a very personal and hateful thing to do to someone, so I’m not really inclined to think it was a random crime (ie robbery) gone wrong, or anything like that. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

Either way, I would be terrified if I lived in the Hollywood area right now, and I hope all the residents there are being extra cautious and on the lookout.  There’s definitely a sick monster out there.

UPDATE: 1/20 5:55 PM CST

Police have identified the man, but are not releasing his name to the public.  They also served a search warrant on a nearby Hollywood apartment and apparently left with evidence that may be connected to the case.

I have a feeling we’re going to learn exactly what happened soon.

SOURCES:

– http://www.kgun9.com/news/local/137228218.html

– http://www.tmz.com/2012/01/18/severed-human-head-hollywood-park-investigation/#.Txd-efnW4oE

– http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/investigators-find-2-feet-in-la-wilderness-park-where-severed-head-and-hands-were-discovered/2012/01/19/gIQAIF859P_story.html

– http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Police-End-Search-Body-Parts-Human-Head-Hollywood-Hills-137722958.html

 

Man murders 4, sets house on fire in Villa Park, IL

I had just arrived at work yesterday morning, when I received a breaking news alert from the Chicago Tribune, saying that there was a fire with four fatalities right by where I live. At first I was a little concerned that it might be MY house (Did I leave the curling iron plugged in?), but as the news updated, I learned that it was actually a few blocks away from my neighborhood.

I also learned that the four victims weren’t victims of a fire; instead, all four had been murdered first, and the fire had been set afterwards.

Ursula Nailor, a 37-year-old bus driver, her two children, Darnell Holt Jr., 16, and Daniel Nailor, 13, and her niece Dominique Robinson, 19, were all shot and killed early yesterday morning. The suspect, Nailor’s 42-year-old boyfriend Cedric Anderson, then set the house on fire and fled to his parents’ house in Dolton, Illinois, where he ultimately committed suicide yesterday afternoon.

I had to pass by the scene on my way home from work yesterday, and I couldn’t believe how many news vans and police cars surrounded the street. A sad, sad story, literally close to home.

May the victims rest in peace.

SOURCES:

– http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-relative-suspect-in-slaying-of-4-was-a-time-bomb-20120117,0,673998.story

Who Killed Amanda Price?

Ron and Amanda Price with their daughter

Amanda Price, a wife and mother from New Albany, Mississippi, was shot and killed just outside of her home on Monday, December 6.  Just before 10 p.m., Amanda went outside to the backyard to let the family dog out, when a masked man shot her in the chest. Amanda’s husband, local high school football coach Ron Price, ran outside when he heard the commotion, and was shot in the shoulder.

Ron was treated and released from the hospital hours later, but Amanda didn’t survive. Police say there was a string of car burglaries in the area at around the same time as the shooting. According to police, Ron told them the shooter was approximately 6 foot tall, dressed in dark clothing, and had a mask over his face.

The couple has a three year old daughter who was home at the time of the shootings, but was not hurt.

Ron had just completed his fourth season as head football coach at New Albany High School, and Amanda was a speech pathologist as a nearby school. According to neighbors in their community, Ron and Amanda were very well-liked and appeared to be a “perfect couple.”

Police say they are continuing to follow leads and that they believe this was a random shooting. There is a reward of $25,000 being offered for information leading to a conviction.

UPDATE: 12/17 7:15 PM CST

WTVA is reporting that two persons of interest are currently in custody, being held for parole violations.  The two are said to be males in their early 20s, who were arrested on theft charges.

Charges are expected to be filed in this case early next week.

UPDATE: 12/21 1 PM CST

An arrest has officially been made in this case. Craig O’Brien Baker, 20, has been arrested and charged with one count of capital murder, one count of aggravated assault, and two counts of auto burglary.

Police say Baker had no connection to the Prices, and that they believe it was a random home invasion gone bad.

Baker has been denied bond, and authorities say they will seek the death penalty.

RIP Amanda.

SOURCES:

– http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/New-Albany-coach-shot-wife-killed/xyKvigIwYUC2L4RETJ-1CA.cspx

– http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/More-details-revealed-from-murder-investigation/WoCBbh-bjEOGB62GUimxbw.cspx

– http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2070937/Amanda-Price-murder-Police-search-masked-thug-shot-New-Albany-coachs-wife.html

– http://www.djournal.com/view/full_story/16832919/article-UPDATE–Arrest-made-in-Price-shooting-case?instance=home_news_right

Jorelys Rivera found; 20-year old arrested for her murder

7-year-old Jorelys Rivera went missing on Friday, December 2nd, as she was playing at a local playground near the River Ridge apartment complex where she lived. A teenaged babysitter was watching Jorelys along with several other kids, when Jorelys headed back to the complex by herself to get drinks for everyone. She was never seen or heard from again.

On Monday, Jorelys’ body was found in a dumpster near the complex. She had been badly beaten and sexually assaulted. While the community mourned the loss of this beautiful little girl, a 20-year maintenance worker who lived and worked in her building was arrested.

Ryan Brunn, who had recently moved to the Canton, Georgia area from Dahlonega, was taken into custody yesterday and charged with Jorelys’ murder. He had apparently been under surveillance since Tuesday night, and by yesterday afternoon, there was sufficient evidence to arrest him. Brunn had been working at the complex since the beginning of November. At a press conference held shortly after the arrest, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vernon Keenan states that this is a “mammoth” case and that they are certain they have the killer in custody.

Brunn has no criminal record, according to members of his family. His brother, Connor Brunn, gave an interview to reporters yesterday, and said he does not believe his brother is guilty, and that Brunn had even been out searching for the little girl himself.

I have to say that Brunn’s arrest is rather shocking. When I first heard about Jorelys’ body having been found, I thought for sure the perp would be an older, creepy-looking guy, who was most likely a registered sex offender. The fact that Ryan Brunn was a seemingly normal 20-year-old makes it almost difficult to believe that he could be capable of such a heinous crime. Below is a screenshot of Ryan Brunn’s Facebook page (which has since been taken down). He seems like a popular well-liked 20-year-old, and states that he has a “wonderful life/family/friends.”

Also interesting to note is a comment Brunn made on his page on July 6, the same day as the Casey Anthony verdict came in.

Could one child murderer really be commenting about another child murderer?

I haven’t seen any confirmation of any evidence that police have against him yet, but different news outlets are reporting that Brunn killed Jorelys in a vacant apartment in the building next door, and that her mouth was duct-taped, and her hands and feet were bound with plastic ties.

Brunn is due in court later this afternoon for his arraignment, so there should definitely be more details released about his arrest shortly. He is currently charged with homicide and making false statements, but more charges are expected later today.

SOURCES:

– http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/local_news/Man-Accused-in-Jorelys-Rivera-Murder-to-be-in-Court

– http://www.ajc.com/news/20-year-old-arrested-1253966.html?cxtype=rss_news

– http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/12/07/3576720/funeral-set-for-ga-girl-who-was.html

Amanda Knox: Appeal Update

An Italian jury is now deliberating Amanda Knox’s appeal, and a verdict could come in at any moment. For those unfamiliar with the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher, Knox’s 21-year-old flatmate, a short article summarizing the case can be found here. I wont go into too many details about the actual case, but I highly suggest reading up on it if you can.

Knox’s case has always been a controversial one. Kercher, a British exchange student, was found dead in their Perugia, Italy apartment, her throat slit.  Knox, her boyfriend Rafaelle Sollecito, and a drifter named Rudy Guede, were all arrested and later convicted of Kercher’s murder. Knox is serving a 26 year sentence, while Sollecito is serving 25 years, and Guede, only 16. Knox and Sollecito were both convicted at a joint trial, and are also appealing their verdicts together.

In Italy, after being found guilty of a crime, the case is automatically sent through an appeals process, which is basically a re-trial in which reasonable doubt must be proven.  Knox’s re-trial began last November, and today in court, Knox and Sollecito were both given the opportunity to plead their case to the judge and jurors.

Knox, now 24, spoke in Italian for about 10 minutes, and claimed her innocence, saying, “I did not kill, I did not rape, I did not steal. I was not present at this crime.” Sollecito also addressed the court for about 15 minutes.

There are four possible rulings that could come down today, according to In Session:

1. Conviction could be completely overturned
2. Conviction could be partially overturned (meaning other charges could still stand)
3. Conviction could be upheld
4. Conviction could be upheld, and a new sentence could be given (prosecution is requesting a new     sentence of life in prison, however the sentence can be decreased as well)

If Knox’s conviction is completely overturned, she could be on a plane back to the United States tonight.

As soon as a verdict comes in, I will post it. The verdict is due to come in by 1 p.m. CST.

Supporters of Amanda Knox have started a web site for her, http://friendsofamanda.org/home_eng.html, which details their case for Knox’s freedom.  Whether you are convinced of Knox’s innocence or guilt, it still makes for an interesting read.

Detailed entries on the appeal (day-by-day) can be found at this blog – http://amandaknoxappealforum.blogspot.com/.

UPDATE: 2:55 P.M. 10/3

Knox and Sollecito have been cleared in the murder of Meredith Kercher, and both ordered immediately released. Knox collapsed into tears and was seen sobbing as she was escorted out of the courtroom.

They could be freed within a few hours.

As for my own personal thoughts on the case, I honestly could never decide on whether or not Knox and Sollecito had anything to do with Kercher’s murder. Their actions the night of the murder, as well as in the days and weeks afterwards were always suspicious, however, I felt that there was never enough evidence to actually convict them.

The third man convicted of the killing, Rudy Guede, is still in prison.  Guede was identified by police after his bloody handprint was found at the scene of the crime.

SOURCES:
– http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2044444/Amanda-Knox-latest-news-Court-hears-plea-freedom.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
– www.friendsofamanda.org
– http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/03/earlyshow/main20114646.shtml