Over the past year, there have been multiple homicides along a popular trail in south Kansas City. The Kansas City Police Department is investigating the possibility of the cases being related.
Since August 2016, there have been four homicides along the Indian Creek Trail, police said in a statement on Friday.
August 19, 2016 - John W. Palmer, 55, East Bannister Road, Lydia Avenue
February 27, 2017 -David Lennox, 66, 9939 Walnut Street
April 4, 2017 - Timothy S. Rice, 57, 1601 East Red Bridge Road
May 18, 2017 -Michael Darby, 373 West 101st Street Terrace
All four of the victims were white males between the ages of 54-67. Three of the men were walking their dogs along the trail or close to it, officials said.
At this time, there is not physical evidence that suggests the cases are related, but the possibility is being reviewed by police.
The map below shows the locations of where the men were found dead.
Retired Sgt. Dave Bernard cracked homicide cases for 21 years.
“A serial case is one of the most difficult cases to work,” he explained. “A lot of times if you go back in the past looking for lesser crimes in that area, you may be able to turn up something. Let’s say attempted robbery, attempted rape, something of that nature and in some of those early cases maybe the suspect has already been identified.”
We don’t know how all four men died, but Bernard said there’s a reason for that.
“You want to let the public know there is a danger here, but at the same time you don't want to give away your case or tip too much off about your suspect,” he said.
Until police have more information, people who use the trail or spend time in the area should pay close attention to their surroundings.
“I would say, let’s stop the daily routine if it involves going into this particular area until police have made an arrest or until they say it’s safe,” Bernard advised. “You can go back, but I certainly wouldn't do it in this geographical area knowing there is somebody on the loose.”
Police said there will be extra patrol in the area to include patrolling on foot and ATV. Anyone with information is asked to call police or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
