Detroit police fight serial-killer rumors

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DETROIT, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Detroit police say reports about a serial killer attacking women in the city are unfounded.

John Serda, commander of the police Southwest District said he had been trying to squelch rumors about a rapist-serial killer "for weeks."

"If there was a serial killer and rapist out there, I would let the community know," Serda said. "And I'd be seeking the public's help in finding him. But I investigated this to make sure we weren't missing anything. There's no serial killer."

About 50 people gathered Thursday night in a southwest park were they believed four recent assaults occurred, but police said just one woman was assaulted in the park and other recent cases were elsewhere, and a suspect was in custody.

A flyer announcing the park vigil said, "At least four women have been found raped and beaten; three have died and one remains in critical condition."

"Everywhere I go, every community meeting I go to -- and I go to a lot of them -- I'm being asked about this," Serda said.

Police said a woman attacked in the park last week has been unconcious and investigators had been unable to determine if the incident involved rape.

Lt. Lori Pierce said three prostitutes were raped two weeks ago but not anywhere near the park. A suspect was arrested in those incidents.

The assaults on the prostitutes and the alleged rape of a woman by her boss are the only rapes reported in the district in recent months, the officers said.

John Lopez, president of Detroit Southwest Pride, which distributed the flyer, said he planned to meet with police and possibly put an end to some of the rumors.