Watch CBS News

Detroit police say killer may be targeting escorts after bodies of 4 women found in car trunks

In a Dec. 26, 2011 photo, Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee, center, addresses the media, with investigator Charles Wilson, left, and Asst. Police Chief Duane Blackmon about the similarities of the women found in the trunk of cars in Detroit this month, at Police Headquarters in Detroit, Mich. Elizabeth Conley,AP Photo/The Detroit News

(CBS/AP) DETROIT - Detroit police say they fear a killer may be targeting escorts after finding that three of four women found dead in car trunks over the past week had placed sex-related ads on the same website.

Chief Ralph Godbee had said on Monday the deaths could be connected but cautioned that police were "stopping short" of calling it the work of a serial killer. However, Godbee says authorities find the link "disconcerting."

At least 45 attorneys general raised concerns earlier this year about how the site, Backpage.com, polices ads for adult services.

The latest victims were found Christmas morning. That is when Detroit firefighters discovered two badly burned bodies in the trunk of a car that had been set ablaze in a garage.

Meanwhile, the bodies of two other women were found just blocks away in another car trunk on Dec. 19. All four women were in their 20s. The causes of death remain under investigation.

Police are also withholding the names of latest victims.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.