http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/...ttacks-n398716
Police believe a man killed last week by a West Virginia sex worker could be linked to the disappearances or deaths of four prostitutes in the Las Vegas area a decade ago — and maybe a half-dozen more women in Chillicothe, Ohio.
Charleston, West Virginia, police said the man, identified as Neal Falls, 45, most recently of Springfield, Oregon, was killed July 18 in the apartment of an escort he'd met on Backpage, an online personals portal often used to arrange sexual liaisons.
IMAGE: Neal Falls
Neal Falls was shot and killed July 18 by a woman Charleston, West Virginia, police described as a sex worker whom he'd attacked. Charleston, West Virginia, Police Department
The woman, whose identity hasn't been released, told investigators Falls drew a gun and tried to strangle her. She said she grabbed Falls' gun when he set it down to overpower her and shot him.
Police said they found what they described as a "kill kit" in the trunk of Falls' car, including handcuffs, knives, axes, a sledgehammer, a bulletproof vest, another gun, shovels and bleach and other cleaning supplies.
"BASED ON THE ITEMS THIS MAN HAD IN HIS POSSESSION, IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THIS WAS ONLY GOING TO BE A ONE-TIME EVENT FOR HIM."
Lt. Steve Cooper, chief of detectives for the Charleston police, told NBC station WSAZ of Charleston that authorities issued a national alert because "based on the items this man had in his possession, it's hard to imagine this was only going to be a one-time event for him."
Authorities said Falls lived in Henderson, Nevada, near Las Vegas, about a decade ago, during the same period that three local women whom police described as prostitutes were killed and found dismembered and one other disappeared.
Police in the Las Vegas area, including Henderson, said they are coordinating with Charleston police to find a connection.