Police sketch of man wanted in rape, stabbing.

Police: Attacks on girls similar

Web posted October 12, 2000

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By Johnny Edwards
Staff Writer

She was offered a shot at a modeling career. Instead, an 18-year-old woman in south Augusta nearly became another metro Augusta homicide.

The brutal attack and sexual assault Tuesday has worrisome parallels to the slaying of a teen-ager in Aiken two months ago, the Richmond County Sheriff's Department has acknowledged.

``All I can say is there are similarities that I won't go into,'' said Maj. Ken Autry, head of criminal investigations. ``There's no way to really tell.

``People need to know this, and they need to tell their daughters.''

The most recent victim was found in Richmond Gardens subdivision at about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, after her persuasive attacker lured her to her home from a Huddle House parking lot in South Carolina. She was raped, knocked unconscious and stabbed three times in the throat with a steak knife, Maj. Autry said.

When the man had gone, the girl awoke and managed to reach a phone and summon police. Investigators say they believe the assailant meant to kill her.

``We're sure he did,'' Maj. Autry said. ``She bled real bad. It's kind of obvious he left her for dead.''

On Aug. 4, Judy Carpenter found her daughter, Jessica Lynn, 17, dead in their home on Brentwood Place in Aiken. Authorities have said her throat was deeply cut, and an autopsy showed she died from internal bleeding and lack of oxygen.

Description Authorities are looking for a Hispanic man in his 30s, about 6 feet tall and 175 pounds. He is clean-cut and does not speak with a foreign accent. He was seen driving a late-model, teal-green car, possibly a Honda Civic. The car had tinted windows, low-profile tires, a spoiler on the back and a black-and-white paper tag.

Aiken County Coroner Sue Townsend said Wednesday the cases are alike concerning the victims' ages and injuries, but she declined to elaborate.

Both women were white, thin, attractive and had brownish-blonde hair.

But this time, the victim lived to tell about it.

Aiken Department of Public Safety Capt. Tom Galardi said investigators were sent across the river early Wednesday to learn more about the Augusta rape. He remained quiet on the details of the Carpenter case.

``We've got our fingers crossed every day,'' Capt. Galardi said. ``That's why we're looking into anything even remotely similar.''

The 18-year-old was in critical condition at a local hospital after the attack but was able to speak with investigators and a Georgia Bureau of Investigation sketch artist Wednesday, Maj. Autry said.

She gave police the following account of her ordeal:

On Tuesday morning, she drove to Huddle House off Interstate 20's Exit 5 in Belvedere, where she was to meet her boss for lunch. She ran late and missed him, so she decided to leave.

As she was pulling out of the parking lot, a man driving a teal-green car was pulling in. He waved her down and asked for street directions.

They talked for about 20 minutes, eventually pulling both cars aside, near a Burger King. He told her he once owned a modeling agency and escort service and was considering opening a business in the Augusta area. He offered to take photos of her. At best, the photos could lead to bigger modeling jobs, he said. At worst, he would pay her $150 for her time.

He followed her to Augusta to her home on Circular Drive, where she changed into a revealing outfit. Meanwhile, he disappeared into her kitchen.

When she emerged ready to take the pictures, he attacked her with a knife, apparently one from the kitchen. The last thing she said she remembers before losing consciousness is being raped.

Maj. Autry said a neighbor saw the man casually leave the home, start his car and drive away.

Deputies are looking for a clean-cut Hispanic man in his 30s, about 6 feet tall and 175 pounds. He did not have a foreign accent, the teen-ager told police.

His car had tinted windows, low-profile tires, a spoiler on the back and a black-and-white paper tag.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call investigators at (706) 821-1080.

Reach Johnny Edwards at (706) 823-3225 or jedwards92@hotmail.com.

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