Police Warn OC Homeless to Sleep in Shelters Because of Serial Killer

Three homeless men have been murdered

Police and advocates are warning homeless people in Orange County to be careful if they sleep on the streets. A serial killer, who may be targeting the homeless, has already killed three men.

"It's almost clueless to everyone," said Darryl Bossier. "Why are you attacking people that have nothing?"
 
The Orange County Rescue Mission on Thursday handed out safety packets, in an effort to help the homeless protect themselves.

"It has some tips for those living on the streets, but more importantly it has a flashlight, a whistle, and some suggestions on how to create a lot of noise if they feel that someone is following them," mission president Jim Palmer said.
 
Homeless people also are being encouraged to sleep in shelters or in groups.
 
The body of the first stabbing victim, 53-year-old James McGillivray, was found Dec. 21 near a Placentia shopping mall.

The second stabbing victim, 42-year-old Lloyd Middaugh, was found on a riverbed trail in Anaheim a week later.
 
The third victim, 57-year-old Paulus Cornelius Smit, was discovered with fatal stab wounds outside a Yorba Linda library, where a photo of him stood at a small candlelit memorial this week.

A surveillance camera in Placentia captured images of the suspect, a man wearing a dark hooded sweater, who may be driving a four-door Toyota.
 
Police are seeking tips on the man in the surveillance pictures.

"At this point I don't have any information on a profile, but our task force is using every investigative resource we can think of," said Sgt. Bob Dunn of the Anaheim Police Department. "Every avenue will be explored."

 

Copyright The Associated Press
Contact Us