By David Lohr

(Continued)

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On Nov. 15, investigators identified the skeletal remains found in the barrel as that of Lois Tomich, who was 28-years-old when she vanished in Nov. 1983.  Lois' ex-husband, Tom Tomich, was long considered a suspect in her disappearance, however authorities were never able to link him to the crime.  The day after the identification was made, investigators went to question Tomich about his ex-wife's murder.  He denied any involvement, however his answers were viewed as suspicious and plans were made to bring him in for further questioning.  Nonetheless, Tomich had different plans and the following day he jumped off of an 11-story apartment building in downtown Omaha.

Not only was Tomich connected to Lois, it was soon discovered that he also knew Barajas.  In fact, she was last seen on May 25, nine days after Tomich paid $250 to bail her out of the Sarpy County Jail in Nebraska, where she had been held for a drug possession charge.  Authorities are now looking for a link between Tomich and Smith, who frequented areas where Tomich was known to hang out. 

Last week, Marty Bilek, the chief deputy for the Douglas County sheriff's office in Nebraska, told the Associated Press they were going to work with other local agencies to re-examine all unsolved cases from the last 20 years.

"Tom Tomich associated with prostitutes," Bilek said.  "He's a killer, who was also active in the 1980s, and we know now he might have killed again."

April Corter and Jessica O'Grady remain missing.  Even though they do not have a body, authorities arrested Jessica's boyfriend, Christopher Edwards, 19, in June and charged him with her murder.  That case is still pending.  April's disappearance remains a mystery, however authorities do not believe her disappearance is related to the other cases.  If in fact Tomich was a serial killer, April does not fit in with his MO.

Anyone with information relating to these cases is asked to contact Sgt. Dwayne Riche at(402) 676-3778.

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Contact  David Lohr at           crimewriter74@hughes.net

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