The Broward Sheriff's Office has released a sketch of a man who robbed a woman at the Town Center mall in August. Police believe the same man is responsible for the December 2007 murders of Nancy Bochicchio, 47, and her 7-year-old daughter, Joey. John Walsh, host of the popular television show, America's Most Wanted, recently told WPBF he suspects those murders are also connected to the March 2007 slaying of Randi Gorenberg, 52, whose body was found dumped at Governor Lawton Chiles Memorial Park.
"This is a serial killer. He is good at what he does. It's all about the power trip, and I know that when the cases get closer and closer together, like this pattern has, the killer is on the attack. So I say to everybody, don't let your guard down. It's a game for him," Walsh told WPBF.
Yesterday, I contacted Dr. Deborah Schurman-Kauflin, an expert criminal profiler who has studied and investigated serial killers for over 20 years, to ask for her professional opinion on the case, based upon the details investigators have chosen to share with the media.
"First, this offender is clearly escalating and is very dangerous. I would look for offenders who have specifically approached women with small children in parking garages and store parking lots," Dr. Schurman-Kauflin said. "Most likely, he found attacking outdoors to be too difficult and thus changed his attack.
"Second, he is psychopathic and is someone who has thought about killing for a long time. Ligatures around the throat to control are not that common. Such offenders usually are practicing for future attacks that involve more than just murder.
"This is a man who has a lot of females in his life. He would be close to, or would have spent a lot of time around, a young child. His familiarity with mothers with children says that is something with which he is comfortable. Those around him would be surprised he has committed these crimes because he will be sheepish around those close to him. People who know him will notice his preoccupation with the murders and his strange statements regarding the case."
Dr. Schurman-Kauflin also said she has "no doubt" the killer will strike again.
Earlier this month, the Boca Raton Police Department announced the creation of a profile at the social networking Web site MySpace.com, which they are using to broadcast new details about the murders of Nancy and Joey as they unfold. Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County, Inc. also announced a $350,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person involved in these crimes. For more information on the latest developments and other details related to the murders, click here to read my post from Feb. 07, 2008.
According to police, the suspect is described as a White or Hispanic male, 18-25 years of age, 5'10" tall, of medium build, and possibly with a ponytail.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Boca Raton Police Department at 561-338-1352 or Crime Stoppers at 800-458-8477.
Dr. Deborah Schurman-Kauflin's personal Web site is located at: http://www.drdsk.com
