“Serial Killer On The Loose: Eighth Body Found In Texas Lake As Fears Grow Evil Sicko Is Targeting Young Men”

To say the least, the headline caught my eye when it popped up on my phone.

The article explained:

In the last ten months, eight men’s bodies have been found in Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas. Social media is looking for a serial killer. One site dedicated to the deaths has 71,000 members. Perhaps they will turn up some information.

The victims’ families are said to be asking for more transparency from law enforcement.

I ended up reading three more articles, and I learned a little more. The Sheriff says the autopsies show no signs of trauma. That tends to mean no sign of violence. The articles did not explain the cause of death. Each man had consumed alcohol. The Lake is a thirty-five-minute walk from an area of restaurants and nightspots. Investigators say they have no evidence indicating foul play. Except for proximity, there is nothing linking the deaths.

The bottom line is, I don’t know if there’s a serial killer loose in Austin or not.

The headline grabs your attention, which is what it should do! A headline does not tell the whole story.

It is certainly understandable loved ones want to know everything about the investigation. However, investigators are limited in what they can share. If a suspect or witness knows “particulars” concerning the crime, you must be able to say the only way anyone could have that information is to have participated in the crime.

Only make up your mind about a case once you hear the facts.

Jim Leach’s book “You Can Tell ME, Effective Interviewing Made Simple,” is available at “booksbyleach.com” and Amazon.com.