CCTV Of Serial Rape And Murder Suspect
4:14pm Wednesday September 22, 2010
Martin Brunt, crime correspondent
Police hunting for a serial rapist and killer have issued CCTV images of a suspect.
The suspect in the Somerfield store
Detectives want to question him about the murder of Michelle Samaraweera, 35, and the rape of three other victims in Walthamstow, East London. Miss Samaraweera was raped and strangled in May, 2009. Her body was found in a park. She was last seen at about 1am doing late-night shopping at a nearby Somerfield supermarket.
Due to the clarity of the pictures, we're confident someone will know him and know his current whereabouts.
<cite> Detective Chief Inspector Stewart Hill
</cite> The suspect was caught on camera going in and out of the store after Miss Samaraweera went in, and police believe he followed her when she left. The images show a man in dark clothing, with dark hair. Detective Chief Inspector Stewart Hill said: "Michelle was callously murdered as she returned to her boyfriend's address after stopping by at a local supermarket.
"We have been trying to trace a man who entered the shop on the same night and we're keen to speak to anyone who can help us identify him. "Due to the clarity of the pictures, we're confident someone will know him and know his current whereabouts."
Miss Samaraweera in the store on the night of her murder
Police believe the man may be South American. After Miss Samaraweera's murder, detectives reviewed previous attacks and DNA results linked the killer with three serious sex assaults in the area. A 59-year-old woman was raped by a man who dragged her into her home, as she approached her front door, in March last year. In April, 2009, a 46-year-old woman was approached by a man and forced into an alleyway where she was raped.
Later that month, a 32-year-old victim was found partially clothed and semi-conscious in the graveyard of St Saviour's Church. Two other attacks in March 2009 may also be linked to the rapes and murder. The investigation has been complicated because victims have given differing descriptions of the man and described various accents.
The man walking into the supermarket
