"Philadelphia Strangler" Linked to 3rd Victim, Police Urge Calm

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Police in Philadelphia say a third homicide is the work of a serial strangler and are pleading with residents not to become vigilantes as the search continues for the killer.

Authorities said Tuesday that DNA links the death of 27-year-old Casey Mahoney to the slayings of two women found beaten, raped and strangled in the city's Kensington section.

Three other women reported surviving sexual assaults in the area, two of whom said they were choked into unconsciousness.

Authorities stressed that neighbors must not take the law into their own hands. A man falsely identified as a suspect on Facebook called police for help after fearing vigilantes.

The mayor has announced a $30,000 reward for information leading to the culprit's arrest and conviction.

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