| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| oxymoran |
Posted - Feb 17 2008 : 18:08:40
Sad news from Reno. I'd been following this case for the past month since she went missing from a friend's house.
Only 19...kidnapped out of the friend's house in the middle of the night.Serial killer at large
Police confirm body is Brianna Denison
The body found Friday in southeast Reno is that of kidnapped college student Brianna Denison, the Reno Police Department announced today.
The department held a press conference at the downtown Reno police station to announce the results.
Denison, 19, was abducted nearly a month ago from a friend’s house near the University of Nevada, Reno.
A worker from a nearby industrial complex spotted the body just after noon in a brush-covered field in southeast Reno. The field is directly across from one office and mixed-use industrial mall and behind another. The remains were found about 100 feet from the curb of Sandhill Road. The site is about eight miles south of the house where Denison was last seen.
Office workers in the area said the field had been covered in snow earlier in the week and that the snow melted over the past few days.
The Reno Police Department continues to investigate the crime scene today.
Evidence suggests that Denison was kidnapped from a home by a man linked to two, possibly three other assaults in the area. |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| oxymoran |
Posted - Mar 20 2008 : 10:58:03
Police announce one pair of underwear found at scene has Brianna Denison's DNA
The genetic material found on undergarments matches the slain SBCC student, suspect
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: News
The Reno Valley Police announced Thursday that it found two pairs of underwear-not one-at the scene where when City College student Brianna Denison's body was found Feb. 15.
Police released new information Thursday that the second pair of underwear, described as pink, contains DNA from Denison and the murder suspect, and that the underwear belongs to the woman who lives in the house from which Denison was abducted.
The first pair police released information on are black with the "Pink Panther" cartoon character and pink hearts. It contains DNA of an unknown man and unknown woman, said Robert McDonald, head of the Detective Division for the Reno Police Department.
Lt. McDonald said he was sure the underwear was left by the murderer.
"We don't know if he left it on purpose," McDonald said. "Either way, it's the fact that there's a woman out there that's missing a piece of underwear."
The underwear could have been taken by a husband, boyfriend, a one night stand encounter, or a laundromat, McDonald said.
"It is very important they find out how the suspect came in contact with the underwear,"McDonald said.
According to the Reno Gazette-Journal, the Reno Police Detective Commander Leigha Struffert said the details of the pink underwear were not released to the public so they could undergo further investigation.
Struffert said two women and two men live in the house on McKay Court in Reno, where Denison was abducted, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported.
One of the women from the house where Denison was abducted claimed the pink underwear as hers. The Reno Valley Police are keeping her anonymous. Investigators have no idea how her underwear got to the scene and there are no signs of burglary at the home.
"Our hope is to get information from the girl that owns the [black] underwear," McDonald said. "We're asking anyone to come forward to help prevent it from happening in the future."
The City of Reno has provided a Web site dedicated to Denison's investigation with updates.
"America's Most Wanted" will be posting a video on "YouTube" featuring its broadcasts on the case. Anyone with information is urged to call the 24-hour Denison tip line at (775) 745-3521 or Secret Witness at 322-4900.
Click play to see "America's Most Wanted" broadcast of Brianna Denison's murder and the search for her killer.
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| oxymoran |
Posted - Mar 01 2008 : 21:41:24
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Brianna Dennison: Latest suspect description
Brianna Dennison Case information and new details...
The following suspect information was last updated Feb 20 with information regarding the murder, abduction and rape of Brianna Dennison who went missing Jan. 20 from 1395 MacKay Court in Reno.
Authorities urge the public to consider that the following descriptions of the suspect and vehicle may vary slightly as compared to the actual suspect and vehicle, and that non-exact matches should not be ruled out. Any clues, no matter how seemingly insignificant, could help solve the case. DNA evidence already collected can provide positive links regarding any suspects who are found.
(New info in bold red)
THE SUSPECT -
# White male, 28-40 years old. Possibly Latino
# Long face with a square chin, facial hair about a quarter to a half an inch long below his chin that was soft and not prickly like stubble; brown hair; shaved pubic area.
# Slightly taller than 5-foot-6
# Firm stomach with an "innie" belly button.
# Strong but not overly muscular
# No accent when he spoke
# A package of Trojan condoms was collected at the scene of a November attack that has been linked by DNA evidence to the Dennison case.
# No alcohol or cigarettes on his breath; no cologne
# He wore a red short-sleeve shirt of a jersey material described as silk/nylon or polyester, with a medium blue neckline and possible embroidery on the upper left breast area. He wore a shirt underneath extended to his wrists.
# He wore smooth pants with an elastic waist similar to basketball warmups.
# Deviant personality -“This case is shocking to us, but to 99.9 percent of the people who live in this community, they have no comprehension and cannot even fathom that someone had done what this guy did,” McDonald said. “He’s a deviant not working on the same moral plane as the rest of us. Something is wrong with this person.” - Detective working on the case
# THE VEHICLE - An Tan Chevy or GMC extended cab pickup or sport-utility vehicle with a dome light above the windshield. It requires a big step to get inside.
# Floor-mounted, skinny console that opens in front. The LED read-out on the radio was blue and red, the vehicle had cloth seats and an automatic transmission.
# A baby shoe was on the front seat floor board, and white pieces of paper about eight and one half by 11 inches with typing on them were on the floorboard of the front seat.
Methods: The previous victim was "rendered unconscience" prior to onset of rape by hands over face asphyxiation.
# HOW TO HELP Anyone with information can reach the Reno police hot line at 745-3521, detectives at 334-2115 or Secret Witness at 322-4900.
# Secret Witness is offering a $2,500 reward for anonymous tips that lead to an arrest and prosecution.
# PREVIOUS UNR-AREA ATTACKS About 5 p.m. Nov. 13, a 21-year-old UNR student was walking to her home and was in the parking lot of her apartment complex in the 400 block of College Drive when a man grabbed her and fondled her. He ran away after she kicked him and screamed.
# About 2 a.m., Dec. 16, a 22-year-old UNR student was walking to her apartment in the 1400 block of North Virginia Street when a man grabbed her from behind and rendered her unconscious. She woke up inside his pickup and was forced to commit a sexual act on him before he drove her home. |
| oxymoran |
Posted - Mar 01 2008 : 21:39:14
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Brianna Denison: Serial Rapist - Murderer Loose in Reno
Nightmare in Reno: Missing Brianna Denison found dead, DNA tied to local Serial Rapist
The news was what any parent would never want to hear, that their lovely 19-year-old daughter was missing.
Brianna Denison
Brianna Denison was reported missing January 20th in Reno, Nevada, after disappearing from a friend's house while spending the night on the couch.
A beautiful girl, petite, only 5 ft. tall and weighing 98 pounds, the search intensified for Brianna after the FBI was called into the case by Jan. 22.
Reno police have worked has with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies since her disappearance and conducted searches of the area, including an extensive search of nearby Rancho San Rafael Park including the use of helicopters and police canine units.
Monday, the Reno Police Department established a 24-hour tip line to gather information to assist in the investigation and detectives are following up on information provided on the tip line. Monday evening, members of Brianna Denison’s family made an appeal for her return and for anyone with information about her disappearance to call the tip line at 745-3521. Information can also be called into the Secret Witness Program at 322-4900 or the Reno Police Department detective division at 334-2115. Source - RGJ.com
The nightmare that Brianna's parents faced while their precious daughter was missing came to an end, replaced by something even worse... Brianna's body was found Friday.
Briana's body was found in a field on Friday, nearly a month after she vanished from a home at the edge of the University of Nevada, Reno. Police said Brianna Denison had been abducted and strangled in what they called a sexually motivated crime. Source - AP
According to KRNV News there is a suspect in Dennison abduction:
They describe the suspect as white man with light brown/dirty blonde hair. He is 5'8'' to 5' 10'' with a slender to medium build. The victim said the suspect was wearing a dark hooded pull over sweat shirt with no zippers or markings, athletic type nylon silver sweat pants with black stripes, and white tennis shoes.
Police are also looking for an extended cab pick-up truck or SUV with an interior dome light above the windshield. The vehicle is tall enough that it requires a step up to gain entry, but that step is not an added "aftermarket" step. There is a floor-mounted console described as "fairly skinny" that opens in front, and the radio has blue and red LED read-out. The vehicle also has cloth seats and an automatic transmission. There was a baby shoe on the front seat floor board, and 8 ˝" x 11" white pieces of paper with typing on the floor board of the front seat.If you have any information, call the 24 hour tip line at 745-3521 or Secret Witness at 322-4900.
Police fear the rapist-now turned killer, may strike again. Students are nervous, many have resorted to carrying pepper spray while the President of the University, Milton Glick, has issued a statement:
University police advise that you remain aware of your surroundings and avoid situations that put you at risk, such as walking alone at night or leaving doors and windows unlocked," Glick said.
Brianna wasn't a student at the University of Reno, she attended Santa Barbara Community College in California. She had returned to her hometown for a visit during the winter break and was staying with friends. After a night out Brianna slept on a couch in the living area, a short distance from the front door which was full of glass panels, and the patio doors, which were unlocked.
The search for Brianna ended Friday when her body was spotted in a field by a man out for walk. The long search for her, by the authorities, her family and friends is now over, but not the search for the monster who took her life.
Briana's family has set up the Bring Bri Back Foundation. Donations will be used to help hunt for Bri's killer. Blue ribbons hang in the neighborhood where Bri was abducted and also at the Governor's mansion in Carson City.
The brazen rapist in the University of Nevada Community has upped the ante and now added abduction and murder to his resume.
Our sincerest condolences to the family of Brianna Denison and our hope that someday Brianna is remembered, not for what happened to her at the end of her life, but for the lovely light she was in everyone whose life she touched |
| oxymoran |
Posted - Mar 01 2008 : 21:36:18
From KOLO 8 TV
The Nevada Division of Parole and Probation (P&P) has been intimately involved in assisting the Reno Police Department and other Northern Nevada Law Enforcement agencies in identifying persons of interest in the Brianna Dennison case.
Division personnel became involved immediately after Ms. Dennison’s disappearance.
State Parole and Probation Officers have reviewed their supervised case loads to determine if anyone fits the physical description, has a similar vehicle(s) or has been involved in similar crimes.
Using computer generated reports, P & P located all current offenders in several geographic areas where the assaults related to the case have occurred as well as where Ms. Dennison was found.
A number of potential persons of interest have been identified.
These subjects have been contacted by Parole and Probation with the assistance of the Reno Police Department.
In some cases, voluntary DNA samples have been collected and submitted to the Washoe County Crime Lab.
P & P has tasked its officers with contacting all current offenders who could be potential suspects.
P & P has assisted the Reno Police Department and their Sex Offender Unit in contacting all known supervised sex offenders in the area to determine if they have any knowledge of potential suspects and eliminating these offenders via interview and DNA from a list of potential subjects of interest.
DPS Director Jerry Hafen has pledged to provide any Nevada Department of Public Safety resources to assist the Reno Police Department in the Brianna Dennison case.
"Law enforcement agencies need to work together with the public to catch this predator,” Hafen said, “We need this suspect behind bars before he has a chance to hurt anyone else.”
Any questions or potential leads from the public should be directed to the Reno Police Department Hotline at 745-3521 or the Detective Division of the Reno Police Department at 334-2115. |
| oxymoran |
Posted - Feb 24 2008 : 12:26:57
no progress...just lots of fear among students in reno...as there appears to be a serial killer on the loose
RENO, Nevada (CNN) -- Candles illuminated the somber faces of hundreds of people who gathered Friday night near the University of Nevada-Reno for a vigil to remember slain college student Brianna Denison.
Students who never knew her joined Denison's friends at the spot on an empty field where her body was found a week earlier 10 miles from the school.
Handwritten posters said "We love you Bri" and "Shine on us Bri."
One of the speakers urged the community to stay vigilant and safe.
"For a brief moment in time, a beautiful young woman graced us with her presence," said Marc Klaas, whose daughter was kidnapped and murdered in 1993.
"But from now on, for all eternity, Reno, Nevada, will have an angel sitting on God's shoulder looking out for your children."
The horror and fear began on a cold winter night last month. A stranger apparently walked into an off-campus house and abducted the sleeping Denison.
She attended Santa Barbara City College in California, but had returned to her hometown of Reno to spend time with friends and family.
Despite the searches and vigils, all hope of a good outcome vanished when Denison's body was discovered.
Police say they believe her killer is responsible for three other sexually motivated attacks in recent months.
As authorities announced that a serial rapist was on the loose, pepper spray began replacing iPods as the hot item on campus at the University of Nevada-Reno. All the local stores are sold out.
Freshman Britany Maxwell now has six canisters of pepper spray, supplied by her mother. She holds one by her side when she walks on campus at night. VideoWatch how students are protecting themselves »
"I carry it with me everywhere," said Maxwell, who no longer feels safe walking alone. "I'm scared. I feel like he could be watching me or my friends at any given moment, deciding to attack again. It's horrible."
The crime stuns Reno Police Detective Lt. Bob McDonald. "I've worked here for 29 years, and I can't remember the last time that we've had a serial rapist that has progressed to the point of abducting a young woman out of a residence and ultimately murdering her," he said.
The hope is that a pair of women's panties could help solve the case. The undergarment, dotted with pink panthers and hearts, was found next to Denison's body.
DNA testing, however, revealed the garment belonged to another woman. It also had traces of DNA from a possible suspect. Police hope the unusual pattern of panthers and hearts may prompt someone to come forward with information.
"We want to get the message out to any potential victims out there that may have lost this underwear during a sexual assault or attack," McDonald said. "They may not be comfortable reporting that, but we will handle it with dignity, and it will remain confidential with us," he added.
Meanwhile, police say it's important that students be vigilant. Many are heeding the warning. Dozens of young college women attended a self-defense class Thursday night conducted by martial arts experts. The university's free shuttle service is receiving a record amount of calls. Fear has become the dominant talk even in the classroom.
"Teachers on a daily basis are stopping class to talk about it; to give us advice on what to do in situations," said junior Christy Griffin. He needs to be caught now. We'll all feel a lot better and safer." |
| oxymoran |
Posted - Feb 17 2008 : 18:26:12
Reno Gazette (from Feb 8 ---before the body of Brianna was found)
Reno police said that DNA isn’t the only link between four sexually motivated attacks against women near the University of Nevada, Reno campus, including the Jan. 20 abduction of missing woman Brianna Denison.
They were also crimes of opportunity.
After a 19-year-old UNR student reported last week that she was raped in October at gunpoint by a stranger in a campus parking lot, police say they are searching for a serial sexual predator.
Meanwhile, police continued to caution community members to secure their homes and not travel alone at night or when few people are around. They also encouraged people to call in tips.
Analysis of DNA has linked Denison’s abduction to a Dec. 16 rape and abduction of a UNR student and an attempted sexual assault Nov. 13 of a UNR student in an apartment parking lot across the street from the site of the attack in October.
Police have not connected the October incident with the others but say there are similarities. All four incidents occurred within blocks of each other. Three of the four women, including Denison, resemble each other in body size, hair color and age.
The man’s DNA that was collected from the Denison abduction and the December abduction and rape has not matched any profile stored in the state or national DNA database. But a backlog of about 3,000 convicted offenders’ DNA profiles has yet to be entered into the database.
It’s possible the suspect’s DNA is on a shelf at the Washoe County Crime Laboratory waiting to be entered into the system, officials said.
“The main criteria for these crimes is that they were crimes of opportunity,” Reno police Lt. Robert McDonald said. “It doesn’t appear he was stalking these women or knew them. They were simply in the area and were vulnerable. He took the opportunity to grab them.
“We want to catch this guy,” McDonald said.
A sketch of the man in the Oct. 22 rape should not rule out potential suspects, because they rely on witness memories, and the man could have altered his appearance, McDonald said.
Any change in behavior, appearance or information about a man who drives a pickup resembling the suspect’s and that may have baby items inside could be clues to the man’s identity. |
| oxymoran |
Posted - Feb 17 2008 : 18:20:11
Description of killer of Brianna Denison
Associated Press - February 16, 2008 6:24 PM ET
RENO, Nev. (AP) - Reno police have reissued the description of the serial rapist they believe killed Brianna Denison and attacked others in Reno. Based on information from previous victims they describe him as:
A white male between the ages of 28 and 40 who is at least 5-foot-6, with brown hair, a long face and a square chin. He is believed to have normal speech with no accent or regional dialect.
He was reported to have facial hair in December, about a quarter to half-an-inch long below his chin was soft and not prickly as stubble normally is. But police said he may have shaved
He has a shaved pubic region, an "innie" belly button, a belly that was described as not excessively large and firm but not flabby, and a light covering of hair on his arms.
The suspect's vehicle is described as an extended cab pickup truck or SUV with an interior dome light above the windshield.
The truck is tall enough that it requires a step up to gain entry, but that step is not an added "aftermarket" step.
It has cloth seats and an automatic transmission with a floor-mounted console described as "fairly skinny" that opens in front, and The radio has blue and red LED read-out.
A baby shoe was on the front seat floor board, and 8 1/2" x 11" white pieces of paper with typing on the floor board of the front seat.
Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to contact either the Secret Witness Program at (775) 322-4900, or the Reno Police Department's 24-hour tip line at (775) 745-3521. |
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