bloodrayne
01-14-2007, 02:36 AM
Two More Bodies Found In Manhole Near Coveleski Stadium
Police: Deaths may be connected
South Bend, Indiana - Two bodies were found Friday in a manhole not far from where two other men were discovered dead earlier this week.
Police found the bodies of two men in the hole above a railroad viaduct east of the 600 block of South Scott Street — near Coveleski Stadium — about noon while investigating Tuesday’s homicides.
The most recent deaths also appear to be homicides, South Bend police Capt. Phil Trent said. Autopsies will determine for certain the cause of death and who they are.
The deaths appear to be connected in what could be a quadruple homicide, authorities said. All the men had a similar manner of death. The deaths of the men Tuesday were determined to be from severe head trauma.
At least three of the men were believed to be scrappers, those who forge for scrap metal to sell, Trent said.
“These guys have strong ties to scrapping,” he said. “We have more of a reason to believe this is related to scrapping metal than to believe it was done by a serial killer.”
Police did not confirm whether one of the men found Friday was Brian Talboom, 51, a homeless man who was reported missing Wednesday and was last seen with the two men found Tuesday.
Michael S. Nolan Jr., 40, and Michael Lawson, 56, also homeless, were found Tuesday in the nearby manhole. Nolan, Lawson and Talboom were friends, said friends of the three men earlier in the week.
The three men were reportedly frequent mealtime visitors to Hope Rescue Mission on South Michigan Street.
“People are waiting to see who (the dead men) are,” said David Vanderveen, executive director of the mission. “We’re hoping it’s not Brian.”
No suspects were in custody as of Friday night, but authorities say “several people have been talked to.”
About 20 emergency responders — police, investigators, firefighters and railroad police — gathered in the muddy, grassy area south of the tracks, just to the east of the railroad viaduct at Scott Street.
The area is not visible from the ground level below the viaduct and is 10 to 15 feet up a bushy embankment directly north of an abandoned two-story brick warehouse in the 600 block of South Scott Street.
The building is a known squatting spot for homeless men and scrappers, especially in the winter.
The Metro Homicide Unit police van backed up to a loading bay at the former warehouse building directly south of the area where the bodies were pulled from the manholes.
Investigators are treating the inside of the building as a crime scene and are searching for evidence related to the deaths, Trent said.
Trent would not comment on whether investigators believe the men were killed inside the building before being dragged outside to the nearby manholes, or whether they were killed elsewhere.
About 2:45 p.m. Friday, a firefighter was lowered into the manhole with the help of a device connected to a hook-and-ladder fire truck parked west of the manhole, police said. That firefighter then hauled the bodies out of the manhole with the aid of the wires and hook equipment.
Authorities then placed the victims in body bags behind a shield of large, red sheets.
The manhole is about 32 inches wide, and the holes are about 8 to 10 feet deep, police said. Below the shaft is a “concrete room” that holds cables that are 8 feet wide, 8 feet deep and 8 feet long, Trent said.
The men were found inside the concrete area. The shafts are not part of an elaborate sewer system, but rather an isolated area owned by the Norfolk Southern Railroad company and leased to companies to lay fiber optic cables, Trent said.
The two manholes where the bodies were found have electrical cables that run through them, Trent said.
Police say they have no reason to believe there are more bodies lying in manholes across the city.
“We have no more outstanding missing people known to law enforcement,” Trent said. “But we’ll continue searching the area.”
Police found Friday’s bodies during a systematic search of the area. After the discovery, police expanded the search to other manholes and other locations frequented by scrappers.
Cadaver dogs were brought into the area to assist police in the search for evidence and victims.
Friday’s discovery raised the total homicide count this week to five, after 75-year-old James Lydeen was discovered dead in his Dubail Street home Thursday. Authorities have not released a cause of death in his case but believe foul play was involved.
South Bend Mayor Stephen Luecke issued a statement Friday night about the recent rash of deaths.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the families and friends of these victims,” the statement read. “As a community we cannot accept this terrible violence. It is highly unusual to have such a string of fatalities in our community and we are determined to find the perpetrator.”
Police: Deaths may be connected
South Bend, Indiana - Two bodies were found Friday in a manhole not far from where two other men were discovered dead earlier this week.
Police found the bodies of two men in the hole above a railroad viaduct east of the 600 block of South Scott Street — near Coveleski Stadium — about noon while investigating Tuesday’s homicides.
The most recent deaths also appear to be homicides, South Bend police Capt. Phil Trent said. Autopsies will determine for certain the cause of death and who they are.
The deaths appear to be connected in what could be a quadruple homicide, authorities said. All the men had a similar manner of death. The deaths of the men Tuesday were determined to be from severe head trauma.
At least three of the men were believed to be scrappers, those who forge for scrap metal to sell, Trent said.
“These guys have strong ties to scrapping,” he said. “We have more of a reason to believe this is related to scrapping metal than to believe it was done by a serial killer.”
Police did not confirm whether one of the men found Friday was Brian Talboom, 51, a homeless man who was reported missing Wednesday and was last seen with the two men found Tuesday.
Michael S. Nolan Jr., 40, and Michael Lawson, 56, also homeless, were found Tuesday in the nearby manhole. Nolan, Lawson and Talboom were friends, said friends of the three men earlier in the week.
The three men were reportedly frequent mealtime visitors to Hope Rescue Mission on South Michigan Street.
“People are waiting to see who (the dead men) are,” said David Vanderveen, executive director of the mission. “We’re hoping it’s not Brian.”
No suspects were in custody as of Friday night, but authorities say “several people have been talked to.”
About 20 emergency responders — police, investigators, firefighters and railroad police — gathered in the muddy, grassy area south of the tracks, just to the east of the railroad viaduct at Scott Street.
The area is not visible from the ground level below the viaduct and is 10 to 15 feet up a bushy embankment directly north of an abandoned two-story brick warehouse in the 600 block of South Scott Street.
The building is a known squatting spot for homeless men and scrappers, especially in the winter.
The Metro Homicide Unit police van backed up to a loading bay at the former warehouse building directly south of the area where the bodies were pulled from the manholes.
Investigators are treating the inside of the building as a crime scene and are searching for evidence related to the deaths, Trent said.
Trent would not comment on whether investigators believe the men were killed inside the building before being dragged outside to the nearby manholes, or whether they were killed elsewhere.
About 2:45 p.m. Friday, a firefighter was lowered into the manhole with the help of a device connected to a hook-and-ladder fire truck parked west of the manhole, police said. That firefighter then hauled the bodies out of the manhole with the aid of the wires and hook equipment.
Authorities then placed the victims in body bags behind a shield of large, red sheets.
The manhole is about 32 inches wide, and the holes are about 8 to 10 feet deep, police said. Below the shaft is a “concrete room” that holds cables that are 8 feet wide, 8 feet deep and 8 feet long, Trent said.
The men were found inside the concrete area. The shafts are not part of an elaborate sewer system, but rather an isolated area owned by the Norfolk Southern Railroad company and leased to companies to lay fiber optic cables, Trent said.
The two manholes where the bodies were found have electrical cables that run through them, Trent said.
Police say they have no reason to believe there are more bodies lying in manholes across the city.
“We have no more outstanding missing people known to law enforcement,” Trent said. “But we’ll continue searching the area.”
Police found Friday’s bodies during a systematic search of the area. After the discovery, police expanded the search to other manholes and other locations frequented by scrappers.
Cadaver dogs were brought into the area to assist police in the search for evidence and victims.
Friday’s discovery raised the total homicide count this week to five, after 75-year-old James Lydeen was discovered dead in his Dubail Street home Thursday. Authorities have not released a cause of death in his case but believe foul play was involved.
South Bend Mayor Stephen Luecke issued a statement Friday night about the recent rash of deaths.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the families and friends of these victims,” the statement read. “As a community we cannot accept this terrible violence. It is highly unusual to have such a string of fatalities in our community and we are determined to find the perpetrator.”