As Baltimore police investigate the recent strangling deaths of five women, including four with a history of prostitution, records show three more slayings of convicted prostitutes in the past five years remain unsolved.

The additional cases mean seven woman with convictions for prostitution who were stabbed, strangled or beaten to death since 2003 remain open. The revelations come as a police task force continues to probe the deaths of five women found strangled since April.

Police said Thursday that the latest strangling victim, whose body was found in a wooded area behind the parking lot of New Psalmist Baptist Church in West Baltimore late Monday night, did not have convictions for prostitution in Maryland. Police are withholding the 45-year-old victim’s identity pending the notification of relatives.

Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld said at least two of the five strangling cases do not appear to be linked.

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“Of the five, I’m inclined to believe two are not related, right off the bat, based on what we know already,” Bealefeld told The Examiner on Wednesday. “It’s still concerning. As we develop more information, we’ll be in a better position to say ‘What’s in’ and ‘What’s out.’ ”

A woman whose daughter works as a prostitute in the same neighborhood where Amanda Bishop was found strangled June 22 said the rash of recent killings has left her living in fear.

“I can’t sleep at night. She’s out at all hours, but what can you do?” said Rebecca Castro, who said her daughter Kathy has been involved in prostitution for several years.

“I’ve done everything I can to help her, but I worry all the time.”

Her daughter said she limits her clientele. “I only go with people I know.”

Friends of Bishop, whose naked body was found on Nanticoke Street in Southwest Baltimore, said she was a kind person and a good friend.

“She was loving and sweet,” recalled Crystal Kirby, who attended Southern High School with Bishop and lives in the neighborhood.

“She would give you the shirt off her back.”

“I always tried to tell her that she should get a job, but she said working on the street was easy money.”

MORE UNSOLVED SLAYINGS

Police records show three previous unsolved killings of women convicted of prostitution since 2003.

July 3, 2007: Phyllis Johnson was stabbed to death in the basement of her home in the 1700 block of North Broadway.

July 14, 2006: Valerie Chambers was found stabbed to death in the 1100 block of East Biddle Street.

Jan. 20, 2004: Emma O’Hearn was found beaten to death in the 1100 block of Whitmore Street.

Source: Baltimore Police Department records

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