Serial Killer Shatters S.C. Town's Psyche

5 People Killed In One Week, 40 Years After "Gaffney Strangler" Terrorized Southern Town

(CBS)  Janice Foster spent the holiday weekend locked and loaded. Weapons lay within easy reach throughout her house.

No one in Gaffney, South Carolina is taking chances. A serial killer's on the loose.

"It's definitely very very scary," Foster told CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann.

"It's in the back of your mind," said Alan Foster. "No matter where you go, people are talking about it."

Talking about being "terrified."

In one week, five murders here.

Last Saturday, Kline Cash, a peach farmer, was shot in his home.

Last Wednesday, 83-year-old Hazel Linger and her daughter were gunned down together at home - and remembered together at today's joint funeral service.

On Thursday, Stephen Tyler and his 15-year-old daughter Abby were killed as they closed the family appliance store, less than a half mile from the sheriff's office.

Investigators say all the victims were bound and shot. A sketch provides their best glimpse of someone most people here expect to kill again.

"We have many leads coming in, still coming in," said Gaffney Police Chief Richard Turner. "We do want those to continue; anyone that feels they have any information, how slight it might be, please make those calls, get in touch with the task force."

It's hard to believe for a town of only 13,000 people but 40 years ago, another serial killer - nicknamed the "Gaffney Strangler" - abducted and killed four people.

Once again, the community psyche is shattered. Unless you're expected, people in Gaffney say don't drop by.

Says Alan Foster: "Every time somebody opens a door they're carrying a gun."

This county had six homicides last year; now it's had five in one week.

[Heartland87]

Actually according to the profilers/police/FBI they believe he will stay in town and not leave. Supposedly he's someone you would never think to be a murderer either. I too hope he finds himself on the wrong end of a shotgun or worse. I'd prefer he find himself on the barrel end of a 45 many times over.
A few mistakes in this story too - the lady's name is Linder not Linger. And the police have NOT said that all of the victims were bound and shot. And there's many more than 13,000 people here!
And most people know that if you show up uninvited then there's a good chance whoever's on the other side of the door has a gun very close by and this is pretty much all the time not just when serial killers are around! Part of Southern-living. Nicest people you'll ever meet but make sure you're invited to their house before you go in!

I'll be glad when this guy is caught and ALL of the funerals are over! Including Michael Jackson's and Farrah Fawcett's and now Steve McNair! Who's next! ugh.....

[dartplayer501]

Saw a story on CNN over the weekend that a few years ago this little town had another serial killer, who killed four or five people in a matter of days. If I were the police, I'd be looking for connections.

[justcurious777]

It was about 41 years ago...he strangled (rather than shot) only women - didn't kill any men (that we know of anyway...) the guy was caught, sentenced to 4 life sentences, went to prison in 1969 and was killed by another inmate in 1972. I doubt there's a connection...

[debinok1]

Well one thing is for sure, if this guy is watching the news, he is going to be a lot more careful. Which may be good news for this particular community. He is either going to move his operation to another town or he is going to start traveling from town to town. It has been a few days since his last attack, start looking for news of somthing similar in other towns/cities.

[johninpennsyl]

With the heat on and his likeness posted he might hit the road-but I sure hope he runs into some grandmother's double barrel and a load of 00 buck at about 15 feet.

[menefer]

This guy looks like someone we had in Va who was know as the Rt 29 stalker/killer that they never found.

[robinspp]

No one in US should be allowed to have Gun. It is time to implement total gun control.

[Kuei1248]

I hope that includes the police!

[johninpennsyl]

People in US must be allowed have gun.
Right of people have gun guaranteed in second article.

[John_Merritt]

Not going to happen. There is no other country than the USA that can be invaded by ANY external force outside the boundaries of this country. We have the most well armed militia, and most, IF NOT ALL, will ever give up their 'security' without a fight.

[HDNKR]

robinspp...........Keep dreaming...2nd ammendment brother!!

[ROBERTMOSSMAN]

Thats an utterly brilliant idea. The criminals will have all the guns and we won't.

[goeswest]

Keep dreaming robinspp becaue it aint gonna happen

[wickedmoonshine]

I'm not scared and I live down here.

[drthvader]

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