Newspapers / Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.) / April 24, 2004, edition 1 / Page 27
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APRIL 24.2004 • Q-NOTES National 27 Chicago issues warning foiiowing gay murders Four cases remain unsolved, two markedly similar CHICAGO. 111. — Chicago police fiave finally issued a community alert warning North Side residents not to allow strangers Brad Winters (right) was discovered dead last August. Chicago police released this drawing of a possible suspect. into their homes under any circumstances after a series of slayings of gay men. The alert was put out following a meeting with community activists during the second week of April, but nearly two weeks after the most recent slaying which left the community in a state of shock and fear. Police have also released a sketch of a suspect in the murder of Chicago resident Kevin Clewer, 31, who was found Mar. 24, stabbed to death in his apartment on the 3400 block of North Elaine PI. While media reports have linked his murder to the murder last August of Brad Nelson Winters, 38, the police say there is no DNA evidence to con nect the crimes. The attackers did both use similar methods. The suspect in the Clewer murder is described as male, white Hispanic, 5’7” tall, with a slim/athletic build, and he speaks with a Hispanic or European Spanish accent. The murders of four gay men remain unsolved and at least two of the slayings are markedly similar, although police say they have no evi dence to suggest they are linked. The body of Kevin Clewer, 31, who worked at a suburban factory, was found Mar. 24. Brad Nelson Winters, 38, a the ater director, was discovered dead last August. Both were found in their bed rooms with multiple stab wounds. Winters also was strangled. “[These are] young, white, gay men found stabbed in their home. No signs of forced entry, no signs of fighting or force. 1 mean, the dots are there to connect," said Aimee Pine of Equality Illinois. Police believe Clewer was killed by someone he met that night, and Winters might have been killed by someone he met and brought home. Chief of Detectives lames Molloy said. "We are waiting for results of evidence that was recovered [at the scenes of the killings], but there is nothing that jumps out at us that says these homicides were com mitted by the same person,” Molloy said. As soon as the police warning was received, gay bars and businesses along Halsted Street posted them on bulletin boards. The notice tells people to be careful about whom they let in their homes and says. “While police are not linking these two homicides, residents need to be aware of these crimes and take necessary meas ures to keep themselves safe.” The killings have left the city’s gay com munity living in fear that a serial killer may be on the loose. “People are scared,” said Aimee Pine, operations director for Equality Illinois. “That police now have issued these warn ings is a big deal. ... We didn’t know if these were horrible unrelated incidents or if someone was out there hunting white gay men.” Dry Cleaning Alterations, Drapes. Comforters Hours: Mon.-Fri.-7 am-7 pm; Sat.-8 am-6 pm ^1,70 ea. Any Dry Cleaned & Pressed Garment This coupon good for an iinlimilcd number oj items. Excludes Suede a Leather Advance Payment Required central 1 1 1 “ ri Ucnlcc's^^l 1 Food Uon 3203 Eastway Dr. Charlotte. NC 704.531.8084 www.Benlees I .com House of AfrIca If you can't get to Africa... then let Africa come to you. 1215 Thomas Avenue off Centrol Avenue between Pecon and The Plaza Charlotte, NC 704»376»6160 Hours: Mon. - Sot. 11 am - 8 pm For more African Art: Safari International 1504 Central Avenue 704*376*6116 The House of Africa/Pape's Art Gallery offers the area's largest selection of African art including: lion and zebra skins, statues, exquisite art, antique end comtemporary masks, clothing, jewelry and herbal medicines
Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.)
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April 24, 2004, edition 1
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