Jul 10, 2008 9:40 am US/Eastern
Baltimore Police Investigate Strangulations
BALTIMORE (WJZ/AP) ―
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Baltimore police are forming a squad to investigate the recent strangulations of five women, including the stepdaughter of a former police commissioner.
CBS
Baltimore police are forming a squad to investigate the recent strangulations of five women, including the stepdaughter of a former police commissioner.
Police say it is too early to determine if the deaths are connected. However, the head of the department's homicide squad has assembled a squad of four veteran detectives.
Kai Jackson reports in the last three months, five women were strangled in various areas of the city.
Four of the victims, including former police Commissioner Leonard Hamm's stepdaughter, Nicole Sesker, had been convicted of prostitution. As a result, police say all murder cases involving prostitutes are being reviewed by the squad and patrols are being increased in areas known for prostitution.
"As we're digging in deeper, we're finding certain things aren't connecting as we originally thought, so right now it's really too early to say all of these homicides are connected," said Troy Harris, Baltimore City Police spokesperson.
The body of the fifth victim was found behind a church in West Baltimore on Monday night.
Oscar Cobbs is a community activist in West Baltimore. He believes a special squad may help find a killer. But he says attacking the causes of prostitution is the bigger challenge.
"If we are to deal with the ladies who think they need to go and subject themselves to this, then we need to be prepared to give them alternative solutions," said Cobbs.
Police say they are following several leads, but are not saying what they are.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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