Houston Police Department

July 20, 2006 -- Houston police are investigating a series of homicides involving the discovery of six females found over a period of time in the north Houston area. The
most recent victim was discovered on July 19, 2006 in the 5400 block of Rosslyn. The cause of death of the unknown female, believed to be between 20 to 45 years of age, is pending an autopsy by the Harris County Medical Examiner's office.

There are five other possible related cases:

* January 19, 2006, the nude body of 21-year-old Jasmine Clark was found lying in the woods just off the side of the road in the 6000 block of Cebra near Mansfield. Her death was ruled a drug overdose.

* On February 15, 2006, the partially nude body of 45-year-old Vanessa Lackey-Franklin was found in a vacant lot in the 4700 block of Kelley. Her cause of death was strangulation and blunt trauma.

* On April 2, 2006, 50-year-old Pamela Goss was found nude behind a church at 1900 Mansfield with multiple stab wounds. HPD released a composite of a possible suspect.

* On June 24, 2006, the nude body of an unidentified female was found in a wooded area near 8300 Sunnyhill. There were no visible signs of trauma and cause of death is still pending.

* On June 26, 2006, the badly decomposed body of what appeared to be a female was discovered in a drainage ditch in the 2000 block of Del Norte. Because of the body's stage of decomposition, the age, sex, gender and race were not visible. The cause of death is still pending the medical examiner's ruling.

As a result of the investigations into these deaths, the Homicide Division has learned of additional victims who may have been picked up by a black male suspect and taken to secluded locations in north Houston where they were sexually assaulted.

A suspect in the sexual assault cases has been described as a black male, late 20s to 30s in age, 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall, weighing 180 to 220 pounds, with very short black hair or bald, and medium to dark complexion. The suspect is thought to be driving a late 1990s model, four-door sedan that is either black or dark blue. Investigators believe the suspect has tattoos on his left arm, across his back and along the upper shoulders written in Olde English or Gothic letters.

The Houston Police Department is cautioning the public that a male sexual predator, usually armed with a knife, may be picking up females of all races and sexually assaulting them. The suspect approaches females as they are walking and asks them if they need a ride. Some of the victims, but not all were involved in prostitution. According to the victims, the suspect is said to have a very friendly approach.

Based on the MO (Method of Operation), it is believed this suspect is responsible for at least six other sexual assaults in 2006. It's believed there may also be other victims who have not filed reports on this suspect. The Houston Police Department would like to request any possible victims, regardless of their criminal histories, to come forward and provide information.

Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Houston Police Department Homicide Division at 713-308-3600, the Sex Crimes Unit at 713-308-1180, or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS for a reward of up to $5,000 plus additional $5,000 from HPD

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division a 713-308-3200.