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Posted on 05/29/2006 8:04:41 AM PDT by SC Swamp Fox
(Clemson-AP) May 27, 2006 - Law enforcement officials are continuing their investigation into the apparent murder of a Clemson University student.
Pickens County Coroner Jim Mahanes says 20-year-old Tiffany Souers was found strangled in her off-campus apartment. According to the Clemson police captain, Ms. Souers was strangled with her bathing suit top.
Souers, of St. Louis, Missouri, was found dead Friday morning by a friend. Police say there is no sign of forced entry into her apartment.
Authorities have confiscated the girl's computer and are trying to track down friends who might have information helpful to the investigation.
University spokesman Robin Denny says Souers was a junior majoring in engineering and was enrolled in summer school. She was living in the Reserve apartment complex in Central, SC, just a few miles away from the university.
Denny says the school also is looking for them to see if they need grief counseling.
The Clemson Police Department and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) are investigating.
If you have any information, call police.
Sounds like a date gone bad.
That does happen. I thank God my kid survived.
The people of the Palmetto State know how to deal with scumbags like that.
Sad story....very sad, and it certainly touches all of us, who have daughters of college campuses.
Another freeper wrote to me about this yesterday because I have a daughter headed there in the fall.
It looks like FOX has people on the scene, no surprise.
SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) will get to the bottom of this pretty quickly. Many of them send their kids there too.
I've never heard of a woman doing it ever.
And I've heard of some strange stuff.
At least it's not North Carolina.
Me neither, but I have heard of several cases where a woman had her partner do it for her, and there are enough freaks out there to oblige such requests.
Anyway, I think this is all farfetched anyway.
I'm going with "psycho-boyfriend" for now.
The information that I've seen reported indicates she wasn't dating anyone right now. Doesn't rule out an ex, of course.
Apparently this girl did alot of charity work. The police will be checking on this angle, no doubt.
very sad. does this mean they're gonna ban bathing suit tops?
Wow, just saw her mom on GMA and she's a Beth Twitty lookalike. Amazing. She said the police have expressed confidence that the killer will be found, although she didn't tell of any theories or suspects they had shared with her.
As a mother, she said she thought it was random, because she couldn't imagine anyone who knew Tiffany doing something like this. She did say the back sliding glass door was unlocked, as far as "no sign of forced entry."
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I've been wondering the same thing for some time now. |
That's a big tidbit of information about the door. Thanks. At least now we know that's how he made his exit.
Just thinking out loud here... It still doesn't rule out him getting in through the front door, then locking it behind him. I've been thinking that maybe it was someone who was waiting in her apartment Thursday night when the friends dropped her off late that night.
I read a news article Sunday about how the police would know more "when her roommate got back in town," which, if true, meant that Tiffany's roommate went somewhere (home to family?) for the holiday. So I'm wondering if the perp knew this beforehand. She had a MySpace page but it's been pulled. (They've gotten pretty quick at this, by the way. I presume to avoid any more bad publicity.) As of yesterday, her Facebook account was still up. The 'Net is where the news media are getting some (or maybe all) of these photos they keep showing.
It's hard to understand why young people, especially girls, cannot comprehend how their 'Net communication is being read by other people. If any of you have ever looked at how they use this social communication software, you know exactly what I'm talking about. I try to tell them, and some of them do listen, but many of them get this blank look -- the blank look they get when they're thinking "I know everything already so I'm tuning you out, and besides, you're my mother's age so what could you possibly know?"
My husband and I were talking last night about this cognitive "disconnect" many of them have about posting their personal information. It's somehow related to the well-known phenomena of teenagers and their perceived immortality. ... "Oh, that's something that always happens to someone else. It'll never happen to me." Somehow, they understand the facts cognitively, but it just doesn't sink in.. The facts don't always get past their own feelings of invulnerability.
If any of you have young kids or know someone who does, I would highly suggest you find them online. (If you want to know how, mail me with questions. I can't help you do the search because it can be time-consuming, but I can get you started.) One day I'm going to put a thread together about this. There are so many parents out there who just don't realize....
I forgot to ask: If you know of any other threads on this, please let me know.
Any construction going on close to her apartment?
Ping to my comments, in case you're intested and/or have more info.
I hope it's not another Danny Rolling situation. I remember how gripped in fear Gainesville was when that was going on.
Random is scarier. I hope there's some forensic evidence to test.
Investigators have used Souers Web page on the site Facebook.com to look for leads.
"You would use something like that to see who she communicated with or any message she may have left, Griffin said. Something could point us in a direction that we need to go."
In addition, SLED Investigators have Souers' computer, Griffin said.
"They're going to analyze it to see if there area any messages or anything on there. Anybody that maybe we don't know about that we would contact," Griffin told WYFF News 4.
"Any construction going on close to her apartment?"
First thing that entered my mind, also.
....construction site....
Posted on Tue, May. 30, 2006
Clemson student's death shocks neighbors, college community
JACOB JORDAN
Associated Press
CENTRAL, S.C. - Neighbors of a 20-year-old Clemson University student who was strangled with a bikini top at her off-campus apartment were dealing with the news of her death while trying to figure out why local authorities are telling them so little about what happened.
Tiffany Souers was killed early Friday, but authorities have released few details about her death. The junior who was taking summer classes, was found on her apartment bedroom floor by her former roommate and her boyfriend, who had come by to return a key. The top was still around her neck, authorities said.
Investigators have not received the results of a sexual assault test and there are no clear suspects or motive, prosecutor Bob Ariail said Tuesday. He wouldn't talk about the timeline of events leading up to Souers' death, whether she had any prior relationships or if she knew her attacker. There was no sign of forced entry.
Souers, a civil engineering student from Ladue, Mo., was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority at Clemson, an agricultural and engineering school in the northwestern corner of the state about 30 miles west of Greenville. She also helped a local charity craft its bylaws and was planning an internship later this summer.
"This was an aspiring young girl who was an all-American kid from all appearances," Ariail said. "That does tug at your heartstrings."
Neighbors said her apartment was quiet and they didn't hear anything unusual the night she was killed.
"I never expected anything like that to happen here," said 22-year-old Justin Garrick, who lives in the apartment directly above Souers'. "They're never loud or anything."
Souers' building is in the back of a sprawling three-story apartment complex about three miles from campus. Orange tiger paws representing Clemson's mascot are painted on the pavement and students tan at the pool, exercise at the community center during all hours of the night and routinely leave their doors unlocked.
"Sometimes we were bad and left keys under the mat," said Kimberly Perry, 21, who will be a senior in the fall. "It was just kind of shocking. That kind of thing doesn't happen around here very often."
Souers' ground-level apartment is down a narrow hallway that is dark even during the daylight hours. It opens away from the complex's center to a parking lot, which is bordered by a construction site.
A red piece of evidence tape still dangled from Souers' door Tuesday.
Some neighbors were disappointed local authorities didn't let them know what was going on. Residents said they saw the coroner's vehicle and several police cruisers, but even those questioned by police had to learn from media reports what had happened.
Neighbor Roeun Eang said she and a friend spent two nights at a nearby hotel after hearing about the killing.
"I was just kind of freaking out a little bit," Eang said.
By Tuesday, the apartment complex had sent out a letter informing residents of Souers' death. It also instructed residents to keep doors locked and identify visitors.
"With the circumstances surrounding Tiffany's death are unknown at this time, we urge everyone to exercise common sense security precautions," according to the letter.
Ariail, who was taking media questions because local police were swamped with calls, advised residents to be mindful, but not concerned.
"I don't think they should be afraid to go back to their apartments," Ariail said.
He said the entire police force in Central, which is just a few miles from the heart of campus, was working on the case. Other state and local authorities also were assisting in the investigation.
"It was frustrating I couldn't give them more help," said Seth Chinnis, a neighbor who was questioned by authorities. "I was 50 feet away."
Well, I hope they're questioning the construction employees.
Did that phrase jump out at anyone else?
"Did that phrase jump out at anyone else?"
This is what jumped out at me:
.....apartment complex is bordered by a construction site....they don't lock their doors...they leave the key under the mat...they tan at the apartment complex pool...police found the sliding glass door open..
My daughter graduated from Clemson...wonderful place! Everyone's so friendly that you do feel safe everywhere you go. I can see how a young student can get a false sense of security.
This girl lived three miles from the campus. My daughter lived on campus in the dorm for the first two years, then bought a townhouse directly across the street from the campus. She had three roommates at the townhouse. Everyone was always coming and going. They'd forget or lose a key...someone would leave one in the mailbox or under the mat. Typical. They probably even left the door unlocked at times.
I constantly reminded my daughter to lock the door....in fact, I badgered her. Anytime I was there, I noticed that they did lock it at night before going to bed.
I remember when she first moved in, I even calculated if someone could jump from their elevated deck to hers to enter their back door. I was happy to see that they couldn't.
Like a FReeper said, it could have been someone was waiting for her. They had four bedrooms. If she was at the pool that day, maybe she didn't lock the door while she was outside.
I just hope they find the creep who did this.
God rest Tiffany's soul.
<..sigh..>
http://www.crimelibrary.com/news/original/0606/melanie_parker_found_murdered1.html
Texas College Student Found Murdered in Burning Apartment
Houston, Texas. (Crime Library) — Melanie Diane Parker, a 21-year-old, 5'2" blue-eyed blonde, a student at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas (TX ...
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=34313655&MyToken=4d51c1fe-a227-4a22-8509-16cd94099b2f
Oh dear. Another parents' nightmare.
Police search for SUV in Souers case, enhance photo of suspect
Investigators look for victim's missing sheets, believe killer still in area
Published: Friday, June 2, 2006 - 6:00 am
By Julie Howle and Jeanne Brooks
STAFF WRITERS
jhowle@greenvillenews.com
Investigators are racing to identify a man they believe is a "likely suspect" in the strangling death of Tiffany Marie Souers while searching for a Chevrolet Blazer or GMC Jimmy that he may be driving.
They also are searching for the sheets that were missing from the bed of the Clemson University student when she was found on the floor of her apartment, a source close to the investigation told The Greenville News late Thursday. After an extensive search, investigators fished a set of sheets from a river, but they turned out not to be hers, the source said.
Authorities are searching for a 1986-95 Blazer or Jimmy that is light-colored, possibly gray or white, the source told the newspaper.
Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor Bob Ariail, at a news conference Thursday, said the suspect was "candidly photographed undertaking a transaction that specifically connects him with the victim, post her death." He declined to discuss details of the photo or vehicle.
The man isn't clearly identifiable in the photograph, but investigators hope someone will recognize "characteristics about him" and call police, Ariail said. He said they also plan to release a photograph of a vehicle.
The photograph is being enhanced because it "is not going to be the highest quality," Ariail said, but it will give an idea of his appearance.
Authorities believe the man is still in the area.
They also plan to release "a profile of the behavior characteristics" of the suspect developed by a profiler from the State Law Enforcement Division, Ariail said.
Investigators have developed a DNA profile from items taken from the crime scene, Ariail said.
"The body fluids developed as part of the investigation are being processed by the DNA section of the State Law Enforcement Division lab," he said.
He wouldn't identify the body fluids.
When asked if anything was stolen from the apartment, Ariail said, "I will probably be able to tell you that tomorrow."
Asked if the DNA links the man in the photograph to the crime scene or if sexual assault was involved in the incident, Ariail said he couldn't say.
Authorities have said Souers was strangled with a bikini top about 1:30 a.m. May 26. Pickens County Coroner Jim Mahanes said she was wearing only a bra when she was found at her apartment at The Reserve in Central, with the bikini top around her neck.
The behavior profile will give "some indication of the type of person that we're looking for," Ariail said, adding that the traits and characteristics were developed from the crime scene and the nature and circumstances of the crime.
"With that much information being disseminated at one time, we hope we will get some immediate feedback from the community," he said.
Ariail said the investigating agencies are working to create a system to receive what they expect will be "a significant amount of calls." He said they expect to get calls from people who may have been the victims of similar assaults, "giving us names and giving us anonymous information."
The prosecutor said he didn't know if the suspect in this case is connected to previous crimes. Asked if he thought Souers' attacker could have committed crimes before that weren't reported, Ariail said, "I think there's some indications that this crime is similar to a lot of unreported crimes that may occur on a college campus."
Ariail said it is important for local and national media to get the information out when it is released because many Clemson students aren't at the school now in summer session but at their homes across the country and world.
Ariail said he would say where the photograph was taken and if it was surveillance or a personal photograph today but declined to comment Thursday.
He said officers don't think there is a connection between this case and two unsolved slayings of Clemson students in the 1990s.
"We don't believe this person is an old person. We think this person is a very young person," he said.
Souers, 20, from Ladue, Mo., had stayed at her apartment at The Reserve in Central after the end of the spring semester to take summer classes and help an Easley charity, according to her mother, Bren Souers.
BMP
Saturday, June 3, 2006
Investigators are hunting a young, white male they believe strangled Tiffany Marie Souers in a "sexually motivated" crime and who likely still is in the area, using grainy photos that show his face swathed in bandannas.......
http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060603/NEWS01/606030313
I found this on the courttv website....some interesting information that just might mean something........
Notes from The Lineup -
Shamus McGraw was interviewed: believes the suspect to be young and disorganized; left TS drivers' license alongside road, left DNA behind. He said according to SLED most likely suspect's first murder, may be on verge of panic now.
Faith Clark (worked with TS @ non-profit, Share Inc, resale outlet for children's clothes): TS may have come in contact with suspect twice at the non-profit business; harasser of women; overly friendly; married has children; hung out at charity, would find an excuse to come by; was asked not to come back to the business 2 wk before TS murder; his vehicle is extremely similar to that in ATM photo, but Faith can't be positive.
(Program usually repeats at 9pmPT/12amET )
While watching the interview, I also remember thinking "She better not mention this guy's name, if it's the wrong guy she could ruin an innocent person's life." I remember what the MSM did to Richard Jewel.
| Sex Offender |
| Date of Photo:08-18-2005 |
Jerry B Inman
Alias: Jerry Buck Inman
| Status: Released |
||
| Department of Corrections #: 117455 |
Date of Birth: 12-19-1970 |
|
| Race: White |
Sex: Male |
Height: 5' 10" |
| Hair: Brown |
Eyes: Brown |
Weight: 159 lbs. |
| Scars, Marks, Tattoos: Tattoo Back:Skull; Tattoo Left Chest:Tiger; Tattoo Left Hand:Skull Pentagram; Tattoo Left Leg:Skull Dagger; Tattoo Neck:Bat; Tattoo Right Arm:Skull Dragon Cross Memory Of Broth; Tattoo Right Hand:Skull; Tattoo Stomach:Female Gun; |
||
| Last Reported Address: Dandridge, TN | ||
| County: |
Date Address Entered: 09-02-2005 |
|
| Qualifying Offense(s): Kidnap;Comm.Or Fac.Felony (Principal) Sex Bat/ Wpn. Or Force (Principal) |
||
| Victim(s): Gender: Unknown ; Minor? No | ||
| Inman is a Sex Offender under Florida law. Positive identification cannot be established unless a fingerprint comparison is made. |
To the people who were saying on this thread about the construction site next door: Congratuations. :-)
Tennessee Sexual Offender Registry
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
|
Per Nancy Grace a few minutes ago: His tentative release date from prison, if he had been kept in jail where he belonged, was June 6, 2006.
Today.
Is there another thread on this, or is this the only one? You know?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1644632/posts
I pinged you to the other thread a few mins ago:)
That's not him.
Either it's him, or authorities were confused when they said it. Or maybe the AP added the "authorities said" all on his own, I dunno.
If I had any sympathy for this "James Harold Inman" and his "attempted aggravated sexual battery," I would ask the mods to remove it. :-)
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