Third woman was victim of Kensington strangler

Philadelphia police are struggling to catch a serial murderer. Police confirmed Tuesday that DNA from the body of a third woman matches DNA from two other bodies found in the Kensington area.

Captain James Clarke said the verification of the third victim is significant.

“As a result of this being the third murder in a short period of time, in the same area, with the same type of victims, we do at this time consider it to be a serial murderer,” said Clarke.

Tensions are already running high in the area, and the news of another victim will only add to that.

Clarke said police will do everything necessary to identify the killer and bring him to justice.

“Three is a big number,” Clarke said. “We’re asking anyone who has any information, even if they think that it may not be a bit linked to this, to contact the Homicide Unit and let us sort it out.”

A police task force has been set up and police are flooding the Kensington area. The Guardian Angels are also on patrol to make sure women get home safely, and to help gather information.

More than $30,000 in reward money has been offered for information leading to the capture and conviction of the so-called Kensington strangler.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter says he hopes the money will entice someone to come forward with information on the man connected to three killings in the neighborhood.

“We need to find this person, we need to capture this person, we need to get this person off the streets of our city. We strongly believe that someone possibly in the neighborhood, or someone in the city of Philadelphia knows who this person is.”

Anyone with information can call 911 or 215-686-TIPS.

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