The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation [OSBI] has released new details in the June 8 shooting deaths of 11-year-old Skyla Jade Whitaker and 13-year-old Taylor Dawn Paschal-Placker.
Speaking at a news conference in Okemah, OSBI spokesperson Jessica Brown said that investigators are searching for a "person of interest" who may have information about the slayings.
"We have someone who drove that area and saw a man standing outside his pickup truck and that was about the time we believe the girls were killed," Brown said. "We just want to talk to him. We think he might have seen something that could help us resolve this case."
According to Brown, the person of interest is an American Indian male, approximately 35-years-old and about 6-feet-tall, with dark hair and a ponytail. Witnesses said the man was standing near the crime scene, next to a white single cab pickup with an Oklahoma license tag.
"Witnesses say he acted suspiciously, but we don't know what he was doing there," Brown said. "This person is more than just a possible witness. We do not have any idea that he knows anything more, but maybe he saw someone in the area."
OSBI first released the sketch Friday and investigators are now saying they have received over a hundred leads, which they are actively investigating.
This latest development in the case comes on the heels of a press conference OSBI held last week, during which time they announced that two different-caliber weapons were used during the slayings. Suggesting that more than one shooter was involved.
Investigators have declined to release details on the types of weapons that were used and will not comment on how many times each girl was shot. It also remains unclear whether the girls were sexually assaulted, pending the completion of DNA testing on evidence collected during the autopsies.
On Friday, Taylor and Skyla's friends and family members said their goodbyes to the two girls during separate funeral services. Unfortunately, some members of the media chose not to respect the family's privacy and set up camp outside. Thankfully, the media hounds were kept at bay by members of Bikers Against Child Abuse, who formed a human wall and held up jackets to block the prying camera lenses. I emphasize with the reporters – who were only doing their job – but the assignment editors should be ashamed.
A bank account has been set up to help the girls' families pay for the funeral expenses. Donations can be sent to Bank of Commerce, P.O. Box 48, Weleetka, OK 74880.
The OSBI is offering a $30,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the murders. Anyone with information is asked to contact the OSBI hotline at 800-522-8017 or the Okfuskee County Sheriff's Office at 918-623-1122.