Search For Body Fruitless Serial Killer Task Force, Volunteers Focus On Smaller Area Near Mount Spokane

Sun., Aug. 30, 1998

Pat Scuichetti Luke Timmerman Also C Staff writer

The Spokane serial killer task force and a band of about 60 volunteers found no additional evidence Saturday where a piece of human scalp had been found two days earlier.

The volunteers searched a 40-acre piece of land southeast of Deadman Creek near the intersection of Holcomb Road and Mount Spokane Park Drive.

After taking Friday off to plan strategy for covering the area, the search group began at 10 a.m. and worked through midafternoon.

The group searched a much smaller piece of land Saturday than on Thursday. Saturday’s search concentrated on the immediate area of where the hair and scalp tissue was found. A dog from a nearby home found the scalp.

“We’re doing a more intensified search,” said Sgt. Cal Walker, of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Department.

Seven or eight dogs were used for the search. The task force did not use helicopters or any other special equipment.

“Today is basically a people and dog search,” Walker said.

The “scalp” found several days ago is actually a large quantity of hair along with a small chunk of decomposing flesh attached, Walker said.

The hair was long and dark, but the exact natural color couldn’t be determined because it had deteriorated over time.

Challenges facing Saturday’s searchers were the thick brush and the heat. Searchers used metal tracking sticks to probe brush piles and mounds.

Detectives said they have not received any lab analysis on the hair.

The task force is investigating the deaths of more than 20 women since 1984. Two bodies were found in the vicinity of Mount Spokane Park Drive and Holcomb Road, where the scalp was found this week.

Detectives believe at least eight of the victims were killed by a serial killer, although the two found near Mount Spokane have not been linked.

All of the serial killer victims either worked as prostitutes or used illegal drugs. At least one woman who fits the victim profile is missing. Melody Ann Murfin, 43, hasn’t been seen since May.

It was not known when the search would continue.

Map of area

Staff writer Luke Timmerman also contributed to this report.

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