Cops: Five Murders Are Connected

Cops in Cherokee County, S.C. believe they have a serial killer on the loose in their community. The victims range from 15 to 83 years old, and police believe all five murders are linked.

Kline Cash, a well-known peach farmer, was the first victim to die at the hands of this suspected serial killer. Cops found Cash shot dead in his living room on June 27, 2009 and he appeared to have been robbed.

Police think the suspected killer also spoke with Cash’s wife about buying some hay earlier in the day.

Cops say they found a mother and daughter -- Gena Linder Parker and Hazel Linder -- bound and shot in Linder’s home one day later and just miles from the first killing.
 
Authorities believe 15-year-old Abby Tyler and her father, Stephen Tyler, were shot to death by the same killer as they closed up their family furniture and appliance store on July 2, 2009.
 
“There’s no evidence there is a hit list," said Sheriff Bill Blanton of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department. "There's no evidence he knows the victims. There's no evidence the victims are connected [to each other]."
 
All five of the murders have occurred within 10 miles of each other and the rural South Carolina community has been in a state of lockdown.

Independence Day activities were canceled as numerous local, state and federal agencies have been hard at work investigating this bizarre set of killings.

"We're knee-deep in the investigation," said Blanton. "There's fear and concern here, and there should be concern."

Serial Killer Still At Large

While the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department has not yet released why they believe the cases are linked, they do have a sketch of the suspected murderer.

Police say the suspect in his 40's, is around 6’2” tall and weighs approximately 230 to 250 lbs.

They say he has blue eyes and salt-and-pepper hair, and was last seen wearing a dirty white baseball cap. They think he could be driving a 1991-1994 silver or tan Ford Explorer Sport.

Cops say they are unsure if the suspected serial killer is familiar with the area.
 
A small town has been gripped by fear as a result of these horrific crimes.

If you have any information about these cold-blooded killings, call our hotline right away at 1-800-CRIME-TV.

Patrick Burris Named Gaffney, S.C. Spree Killer

Patrick Burris was shot and killed by cops as he allegedly attempted to break into a North Carolina residence, then pulled a gun on police.

Police say Burris was using a gun that matched the murder weapon used in the spree killings in Gaffney, S.C. earlier in the week.

Police have no answers as to why Burris began his alleged shooting spree, but say that he had an extensive criminal history. Burris had been paroled from a North Carolina prison in April after serving eight years in behind bars.

"He was unpredictable. He was scary. He was weird," says Neil Dolan, deputy director of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

In addition to motive, a new question arises as SLED Division Chief  Reggie Lloyd held a stapled copy of Burris' criminal record at a news conference and said, "This is like 25 pages. At some point the criminal justice system is going to need to explain why this suspect was out on the street."