ANOTHER WOMAN VICTIM ATTACKED BY THE SERIAL RAPIST KILLER WHO MURDERED MICHELLE SAMARAWEERA IS FOUND
Posted on July 24th, 2009

By Walter Jayawardhana

New Scotland Yard , who are investigating into the murder and rape of the Sri Lankan woman Michelle Samaraweera (35) said in the course of their investigation about the serial rapist killer who attacked herƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  an additional woman victim has also been found.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Police investigating the murder of Michelle Samaraweera and the two DNA-linked sexual assaults have now officially linked a third rape case to the investigationƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, the police said.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The body of Michelle Samaraweera, believed to have been raped and brutally murderedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  at the dead of night after visiting a grocery stores was found during the early hours of the next day,in a London Park,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ semi-clothed.

Following reviews of previously reported cases detectives have now obtained conclusive DNA results linking the man responsible with another serious sexual assault in the Waltham Forest area, detectives said.

The incident happened on 29 April 2009 at 01:30 in the grounds of St Saviours Church, Markhouse Road. The 32-year-old victim had been walking towards the same Somerfield store as Michelle when she realized a man was following close by. The victim has no further recollection of the attack but a member of the public heard noises and called police. Officers arrived shortly after to find the victim semi-clothed and in a distressed state in the churchyard.

Detectives were first alerted to the series of attacks on Saturday 30 May after the body of woman was found in a small park and play area along Queens Road E17, close to the junction with Markhouse Road. Michelle [21.7.73 – 35 ys] had been strangled and raped.

Detectives from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command (HSCC) quickly linked two assaults in the area.

The first at 01:00 on 24 March as a 59-year-old woman was walking to her home near Queens Road E17. She approached her front door and noticed the suspect standing nearby. She walked around him and as she entered her property he forced his way inside, raping her in her bedroom.

The second assault at 01:00 on 22 April involved a 46-year-old woman who had been walking along Lea Bridge Road with the suspect attempting to talk to her when she was forced into an alleyway near to St James Street rail station, E17. She was raped before the suspect fled, warning her not to leave the scene.

The suspect has been described as being of Asian appearance, or with dark skin, and is aged between 30 and 45 years.

Along with these incidents officers are now appealing for witnesses and information about two further assaults on women in the South Grove and Markhouse Road areas in March 2009. They are not DNA linked cases but appear similar to the previous four incidents.

On Thursday March 19 at 22:00 a man armed with a knife grabbed a 16-year-old girl in South Grove opposite the Alpha Business Centre, E17. At the same time a group of men – one white and two black – driving a silver-coloured car, witnessed the attack and rushed to the woman’s aid. Their intervention allowed the woman to escape the scene.

On Thursday 26 March at around 23:30 a woman aged 46 years was walking close to St Saviours Church in Markhouse Road when a man grabbed and assaulted her. Three white men who had been driving a white van nearby witnessed the assault and stopped to help. The suspect fled the scene.

The suspect in both attacks is described as being of Asian appearance with a light skin tone.

Officers are keen to trace witnesses to the attacks but also the men who assisted on each occasion. They may have vital information that could assist the investigation.

Detective Superintendent Vic Rae (HSCC) said: “We have now managed to officially link a third sexual assault to the murder of Michelle Samaraweera. It is essential that we work with the community to trace the man responsible as soon as possible. We need to hear from anyone who has any suspicions. Any information, however small, could make a real difference to us.”

Following previous appeals officers issued two CCTV stills of Michelle at approx 01:00 on Saturday 30 May as she entered the Somerfield supermarket in Markhouse Road opposite the junction with Queens Road.

Det. Supt. Rae said: “Michelle was callously murdered as she returned to her boyfriend’s address and it’s essential we trace the man responsible as soon as possible. Michelle was wearing a very distinctive black jacket with white parallel lines down the sleeves. We know she was in Somerfield’s between 01:00 and approx 01:15 but we have no other sightings of her between 22:00 on Friday 29 May and the time her body was found at around 05:50 on Saturday. We need to hear from anyone who saw Michelle or who has any information which could help.”

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may have been approached by a man matching the description of the suspect.

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8345 3715; if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Michelle Samar's possible killer

Michelle’s Killer

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