Tips continue to flood in as police hunt for Tiffany Souers' Killer

By Seamus McGraw  

June 6, 2006

GREENVILLE, S. C. (Crime Library) — Investigators probing the strangulation death of Clemson University co-ed Tiffany Souers say they have interviewed at least 50 people, taken DNA samples from more than a dozen of them, and are optimistic that they are closing in on their man.

"The investigation is moving quickly," 13^th Circuit Solicitor Bob Ariail said in a prepared statement released Monday. "I continue to feel optimistic. We are certain that by Wednesday we will have significant information to release to the public."

Among other things, investigators have taken DNA samples from between 15 and 20 of the more than 50 people interviewed in the probe thus far, Arial said

Ariail's hopeful comments came just days after his office released an enhanced photograph of a young and as yet unnamed man whom authorities believe is the prime suspect in Souers' slaying. Investigators also have released a description of what is believed to be the suspect's older Chevy or GMC SUV.

The young man, his face obscured by a distinctive bandana, was photographed while trying unsuccessfully to withdraw cash from one of two ATM machines using Souers' stolen bankcard. Authorities say the suspect tried at least six time to use the card in the hours after Souers was slain, strangled, an autopsy showed, apparently with her own bikini top. Her partially nude body was found the following afternoon. Though authorities have not said whether she was sexually assaulted, they have theorized that the crime was "sexually motivated." The release of that photograph triggered a barrage of tips to a dedicated hotline — some 200 calls were logged just over the weekend, authorities said and they are hoping that among the leads they're sifting through, will be one or more that will help them positively identify the suspect.

In that, authorities expect the suspect himself will be of help, though not intentionally.

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Contact Seamus McGraw at seamusm@ptd.net

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