Slain woman identified by implants
Suspect may have eluded Coast Guard
BUENA PARK, Calif. – An ex-model found stuffed in a bloodstained suitcase without fingers or teeth was so badly mutilated that authorities had to use breast implants to identify her body, prosecutors said Friday.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Marshals Service offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Ryan Alexander Jenkins, a wealthy reality TV show contestant who was charged Thursday with murder in the gruesome slaying of Jasmine Fiore.
Detectives tracked the serial number on the implants because they could not use fingerprints or dental records.
Fiore’s body was found Aug. 15 in a trash bin in Buena Park, an Orange County city about 20 miles southeast of Los Angeles.
Authorities believe Jenkins, a contestant on VH1’s “Megan Wants a Millionaire,” may have fled more than 1,000 miles to reach his native Canada.
Buena Park police Lt. Steve Holliday said Jenkins, a native of Calgary, Alberta, is possibly armed with a handgun. Prosecutors said he had significant resources to finance his flight.
Prosecutors revealed the U.S. Coast Guard briefly pursued a boat Wednesday that was licensed to Jenkins, but it eluded them. The Coast Guard was unable to verify that Jenkins was aboard but believe he was.
The chase occurred off the coast of northwest Washington, a few hours before Jenkins’ boat was discovered at the Point Roberts, Wash., marina, about 25 miles south of Vancouver. The Canadian border is a short walk from the spit of U.S. territory. Jenkins’ car was found at a marina in the northwest Washington town of Blaine.
Canadian authorities have since ended a massive border search using helicopters, ground police and dogs but continued their investigation.