RENO, Nev., Feb. 16, 2008
Sad End To Reno's Missing Student Mystery
DNA Evidence Links Brianna Denison's Killer To At Least Two Other Attacks
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Reno police believe they have the DNA and description of the man who may be responsible for the death of 19-year-old Brianna Denison as well as the rape and attempted assault of two others. (CBS)
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Washoe County coroner personnel remove the body of Brianna Denison, found in a field in Reno, Nev., on Feb. 15, 2008. A worker found her body about noon in a brush-covered field on the city's south side near a light industrial area, Reno police spokesman Steve Frady said. (AP Photo/Kevin Clifford)
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Play CBS Video Video Nevada Kidnapper Leaves Clues DNA found in the Brianna Denison case is linked to two other Reno, Nev. attacks, giving police a clearer picture of the perpetrator. Jeff Glor reports.
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Video Break In Brianna Case Investigators into the kidnapping of Brianna Denison in Reno, Nev. are closing in on a suspect. Julie Chen talks to Cmdr. Ron Holladay of the Reno Police and Brianna's mother and grandfather.
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Video Search For Missing Nevada Teen Police suspect foul play in a female college student's disappearance while visiting friends at the University of Nevada. A kidnapping investigation is underway. Julie Chen reports.
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Interactive Crime Beat Statistics and specifics on crime in America.
An autopsy confirmed that a dead woman found in a field on the city's south side Friday was Brianna Denison and that she died of strangulation, Reno Deputy Police Chief Jim Johns said.
Her body had been in the field for more than a week about 8 miles from the house where she last was seen early Jan. 20 at the edge of the University of Nevada, Reno, he said.
"I would say this is a serial rapist," Johns said at a news conference. "We have two, probably three (cases) linked through DNA."
"The totality of the information in this case leads us to believe it is a sexually motivated crime," he said. "I'm worried this guy is still out there, and I'm worried somebody else is going to get hurt."
CBS News affiliate KTVN reports that Reno police think the suspect is still living in northwest Reno or near the University of Nevada.
Denison's body was discovered Friday in a grown-over lot by a business park on the city's south side. The spot is about 8 miles from the house where she last was seen early Jan. 20 at the edge of the University of Nevada, Reno.
Campus officers will do all they can to support investigators "in hunting this animal down and bringing him to justice, said university Police Chief Adam Garcia.
Fast Fact
Heavy snowfall over the past few weeks may have delayed the discovery of her body, police said.Anyone with information can reach the Reno police hot line at 745-3521, detectives at 334-2115 or Secret Witness at 322-4900.
Denison was abducted Jan. 20 by a suspected rapist that police have linked by DNA to a string of attacks near the Reno campus. A student at Santa Barbara City College in California, she was visiting her hometown over winter break and was last seen sleeping on a couch at a friend's rental house just off campus.
Denison's disappearance generated an outpouring of support from the community. Hundreds of volunteers aided in daily searches in and around Reno, and electronic casino marquees featured her photograph.
One of the victims, who is no longer living in the area, has been cooperating with the police, and provided an extensive description of the suspect and the suspect's vehicle, reported CBS News'Early Show correspondent Jeff Glor.
One of the "Bring Bri Back" fliers with her photo and information about a suspect and suspect vehicle was tacked to a telephone pole on the corner of the field where her body was found about noon on Friday.
Police said DNA evidence links Denison's kidnapping to two other attacks on women near the university late last year, and that an earlier on-campus attack also could be related.
© MVIII, CBS Interactive 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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Add a Comment See all 17 Comments
- nutsie: You remind me of the Ron Paul prophets...they were so zealous of their cause to the point they didn''t realize they were doing more harm than good to promote him.
If you are the example of a respectable "legal" gun owner....ummmm need I say any more?? - Reply to this comment
- You really think women/girls, the ones most at risk, are going to start carrying handguns everywhere?
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- The reality at this point is that it is far from reality to get close to an attack without one on one approach. The truth would be the authorities will have what they need one day to place the threat they have where it can.
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- start thump''''in a gun,it could save your life!
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Posted by nutsie11
Sure thing pal, you''re in a deep sleep, you wake up with a man standing over you with God only knows what kind of weapon, that gun certainly would have helped her! - Reply to this comment
- Yawn...
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- Lord? God? Satan? Christians? What do any of those fabrications have to do with a crime like this?
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- It was "Slippery ***" Cheney!
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- "The totality of the information in this case leads us to believe it is a sexually motivated crime," he said. "I''m worried this guy is still out there, and I''m worried somebody else is going to get hurt."
Is this one of the understatements of the year or what? "hurt" implies pain that a person can walk away or recover from--the man is raping and killing--be afraid that another woman will die--and the worst is--if he can''t grab them at a club, then he (or they) will come in your home and just grab and take you--and the friend in the next room heard nothing? Not even someone breaking into her home.
She sleeps a bit TOO soundly for comfort. - Reply to this comment
- Posted by tato_4x4 at 08:55 PM : Feb 16, 2008
No, really YOU need to shut up about shutting up! lol That''s the beauty of AMERICA slick, we have freedom of speech! Disagree if you want, it''s you''re CHRISTIAN fought right! - Reply to this comment
- You suffer no more child... Live in the glory of your lord and rest in peace...
Dear Family,
May you heal quickly and forever remember your loving child as a gift from God. May you never have to suffer anymore. Thoughts and prayers are with you while you continue to grasp and cope with your loss. Brianna is now at rest and so the heart must heal. Bless you all and may God keep each and everyone of you. - Reply to this comment
- Oh, please, keep your God talk to yourself. It achieves nothing, and neither do your prayers or phony outrage. Your comments are the sheerest self-aggrandizement. Here''s a novel concept: when something awful happens, demonstrate a little class, reverence and depth by shutting the hell up.
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- I agree with Lynne_M1...
Casteration for rapists will cure this kind of evil. - Reply to this comment
- Rest in peace now, young one! Condolences to her family!
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- Sooner or later...you WILL be caught !!! I''m a believer of what goes around comes around !!! But YOU will die in a worse death then she died of. She has God''s open arms and God''s love to go to. YOU will only have the fire of Hell. Look behind you....Hell is catching up to you !
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- B-a-s-t-a-r-d CASTRATE HIM!
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- Catch him before he kills again!!!!!!!!
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- May she rest in peace and my deepest sympathy to the loved ones left behind.
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