Slaying Methods Similar
A State Police investigator says that after reviewing other suspected homosexual-linked slayings, he believes the crimes were committed by at least two independent killers. That theory by Sgt. Jack Hanlon, who heads the investigation into the slayings of John Roach, 21, and Daniel McNeive, 22, has been supported by other investigators reviewing the evidence in the slayings. “If you kill one way, seldom kill another way,” said Hanion, referring to similarities in the killing and disposal of several victims. Lt. Jerry Campbell of the Indianapolis Police Department declined to comment on Hanlon’s theory, but agreed he and other investigators see strong similarities between the deaths of McNeive and Roach. Roach and McNeive were the only two killed at the scene where their bodies were found. The others were killed, then taken to the countryside for dumping, investigators believe. Police also see links between the unsolved slayings of Maurice Taylor, 23, and Michael Petree, 15.
While he said the slaying of Michael Riley is not identical to those slayings, Lt. Richard Russell of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department said many indicators in the killer’s method of operation lead him to believe the person who killed Taylor and Petree also killed Riley. Another Hamilton County homicide victim Delvoyd Baker is believed to have been killed by another person. The Indianapolis Police Department does not have jurisdiction in the investigations because the victims were found outside the city. Nonetheless, Police Chief Joseph MacAtee has established an information depository for suburban sheriffs and State Police to draw on because the victims were, for the most part, Indianapolis residents.
A composite drawing of the man Riley was last seen with drew about 400 telephone calls with tips, police said. Investigators are checking all leads to eliminate persons who are not suspects. Hancock County Sheriff Nick Gulling said he is willing to work with members of the local gay community to solve the homicide of Michael Riley. Yesterday, Gulling confirmed he had talked by phone with some gay representatives and said he thinks some of the criticism made by gays of the way police are handling the investigation is valid. “I’m not opposed to listening to anyone who has a recommendation on how to solve a case.” Gulling said.
