Today, December 15, 2011, the FBI launched a media campaign that includes a reward of up to $25,000 offered by the Metropolitan Police Department to assist investigators in catching a cold-case serial rapist and murderer who attacked women in the D.C. metropolitan area.
Between May 6, 1991, and August 1, 1998, a single assailant sexually assaulted eight women, attempted another sexual assault, and committed one homicide in the D.C. metropolitan area. The victims ranged in age from 18 to 41 years old. DNA has now linked seven of the nine attacks and all are linked by modus operandi.
The Montgomery County, Maryland Police Department, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and the FBI’s Washington Field Office are investigating the case with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Homicide victim, Christine Mirzayan, a 29-year-old intern, was attacked and murdered while walking to her residence in the Georgetown area of D.C., on Aug. 1, 1998. In addition to being sexually assaulted, she was struck multiple times in the head with a rock and her body was left yards from the Whitehurst Freeway.
“In law enforcement, we understand that justice delayed does not mean that justice will be denied,” said U.S Attorney Ronald C. Machen, Jr. “One piece of information from the public, no matter how insignificant it might seem, could crack this case and allow us to apprehend this killer.”
The public is asked to review the information and consider whether they know someone who generally fits this description, who lived or had ties to the area around the times of the assaults or who may have been known to spend considerable amounts of time in those areas.
“It is unlikely that a criminal who committed such heinous acts of violence against women would stop,” said Chief Cathy L. Lanier of the Metropolitan Police Department. “We need the public’s help in identifying and locating this violent predator.”
Law enforcement is seeking any information related to the assaults and murder in order to apprehend the assailant, dubbed the Potomac River Rapist. The Potomac River Rapist is described as an African-American male, between 5’8”-5’11” tall, with a medium build. At the time of the assaults, he was believed to be in his late-20s to late-30s. Since time has progressed, he is believed to be in his late-40s to late-50s.
Most of the assaults followed a particular pattern. The assailant used a “blitz” attack by throwing a blanket or towel over the victim’s head. All of the sexual assault victims, except for the murder, were attacked in their homes or private residences. All attacks took place during weekday evenings except for the murder, which occurred on a Saturday night.
People who know the suspect may not believe that he is capable of committing these crimes. He may not necessarily have a violent criminal history. Because investigators are in possession of DNA evidence that can either positively link the suspect to his crimes or exclude innocent parties, citizens should not hesitate to provide information, even if it is just the name of a potential suspect.
Law enforcement agencies are asking anyone with information to contact MPD at (202) 727-9099 or the FBI at (800) 225-5324. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the police department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.
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