Columbus Police are working hard to set the record straight after rumors about a serial killer on the loose started swirling on social media.
On Saturday, three women were found dead from gunshot wounds in a South Side home, sparking widespread speculation online that a serial killer was targeting victims in Columbus. However, police were quick to shut down these rumors at a Tuesday press conference, emphasizing that no serial killer is currently operating in the city.
Deputy Chief Smith Weir took to the podium to clarify the situation.
“We’ve been made aware that over the past several days, there have been some rumors circulating on social media that some of the incidents are connected to a serial killer. I can tell you definitively that that is not the case.”
While the rumors spread on social media, another piece of misinformation circulated online claiming that a bald man was knocking on doors, pretending to be homeless, and attacking people. This was also debunked by police, with officials noting that this claim was being shared in multiple states and had no basis in fact.
The homicide investigation is ongoing and the triple homicide from Saturday involved victims Sierra Muse, 34, Dawn Clover, 49, and Tiffany Parrish, 36.
Police are looking into a possible connection between this incident and a fatal shooting on Tuesday in the South Side. Haikiem Graham, 39, was arrested and charged with the murder of Darrell Hambrick, 45, whose death occurred in a home once rented by Hambrick and tied to the triple homicide.
While Weir didn’t dive into specifics, citing the ongoing investigation, police documents released Tuesday suggested the killings on South Ohio Avenue were “drug related”.
Police have asked anyone with surveillance footage or cell phone video from the areas near the homicides to come forward.
While they are still trying to identify any additional suspects, Deputy Chief Weir said they are actively investigating and working to piece together what happened.
While the rumors may have caused some unease, authorities are urging the public to rely on accurate sources for information and to report any tips directly to the police. As of now, they’re continuing to work toward justice for the victims while investigating every lead.
Featured image: Columbus Police Headquarters in Downtown Columbus. (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0).
