Big Panic in Tallahassee

:shock: oh gosh. that sounds awful...

How frightening! http://tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071219/BREAKINGNEWS/71218022/-1/BREAKINGNEWS

Here is the info I rec'd in an email:

Hey I just wanted to let you know that YALL NEED TO BE CAREFUL!!!! The police are not releasing information about this to ensure their chances of catching the killer but there has been a body found on the Fl/Ga line, plus that lady from Crawfordville, plus a 34 yr. old on tram road and ALL of the bodies are missing a head, arms and legs. Someone that works with XXXXX has a son that works for the Police Dept. and he told her that they are not releasing information about this and it IS a serial killer. This is very scary. Everyone needs to be very aware of their surroundings and don't talk to strangers or anyone you don't know. Try not to go anywhere alone.

oh crap.. I have a very good friend that is supposed to be coming over from there this weekend. Guess I need to call and make sure all is ok.

My daughter lives over there and it is really freaking her out. She is the one that rec'd the email and forwarded it on to me.

My daughter lives over there and it is really freaking her out. She is the one that rec'd the email and forwarded it on to me.

Doesnt she need to just go ahead and come home for Christmas NOW? I am tempted to ask my friend to do the same.

jodiFL...she is married, has a new baby girl, owns a home and works. Fortunately, her job is allowing her to work from her home since the baby was born. Hubby is in and out all day and my daughter is armed and prepared should some stranger come calling. She will not be making herself vulnerable.

Good deal!! Smart woman! Make sure that the hubby is being careful too. Do you know if they are all women or men AND women?

from what little information I have...all women

Here is the info I rec'd in an email:

Hey I just wanted to let you know that YALL NEED TO BE CAREFUL!!!! The police are not releasing information about this to ensure their chances of catching the killer but there has been a body found on the Fl/Ga line, plus that lady from Crawfordville, plus a 34 yr. old on tram road and ALL of the bodies are missing a head, arms and legs. Someone that works with XXXXX has a son that works for the Police Dept. and he told her that they are not releasing information about this and it IS a serial killer. This is very scary. Everyone needs to be very aware of their surroundings and don't talk to strangers or anyone you don't know. Try not to go anywhere alone.

How ridiculous! I think everyone needs to first, relax. Yes, a serial killer on the loose sounds scary, and people should ALWAYS be aware of their surroundings, no matter, because somewhere, there is always a random killer, rapist, or burglar, on the loose. Take some self-defense classes, don't get wasted at bars, and if you do drink, have a sober person with you who can defend you and get you home safely, etc. Your chances of saving your life are likely better if you hang up your cell phone while driving. How many people have been killed by auto accidents in the same area during the same time?

I'm not saying that you shouldn't be concerned, but you should always be at least a little concerned about people trying to harm or take advantage of you. Some wear masks, and others wear suits and ties. Serial killers feed off the press and power/control over the people, not much different than the the mode of terrorists, although terrorists typically have a political or religious reason for their actions.

The very thought of not talking to strangers is ridiculous. What if the killer is someone you know. I cannot imagine not talking to a stranger. A stranger is just someone I have yet to meet. If we went through life without talking to a stranger, we wouldn't have a single friend. Every friend starts out as a complete stranger. Even our family members begin as strangers, maybe with the exception of the mother.

chill out. get your priorities in check. ;-)

correction...one body found is male

How freaky! Nice little reminder that the world can be a very unsafe place!

Safety tips to pass along:

1) Always tell someone where you are going and when you should arrive, especially on longer trips. (I have a friend who makes me call her and tell her I am home safely even when I am just going from Sandestin to Seagrove and am still required to wake my mother up to tell her I'm home safely whenever I visit.)
2) Lock your car doors at all times and avoid running errands when it is dark out. A large dog riding shotgun is also a good deterrent, not because they will "protect you" but because they make noise, draw attention to someone's presence, and make the situation more complicated.
3) Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Someone who appears distracted, timid, drunk, or is talking on a cell phone is a preferred target.
4) Only get out of your car in a well lit place with other people around. MANY women disappear from broken down cars or cars w/ flat tires.
5) Trust your gut. Don't be afraid to be paranoid - you are reacting to SOMETHING that is off, but that you can't identify. Criminals take FULL advantage of the fact that women don't want to make a fuss/cause a scene.
6) Always verify someone's identity. If you are pulled over, ask to see a badge and only open the window an inch or 2 - enough to talk, not enough for them to reach in. They sell "police lights" at Spencer gifts.
7) Dial *FHP on any cell phone to reach the police.

another one IF you have a big truck like I do....

I always have to climb up and peek into the back of my truck before heading home and pulling into my garage and shutting the door. Never know what may be lurking back there!

I think everyone needs to first, relax. Yes, a serial killer on the loose sounds scary, and people should ALWAYS be aware of their surroundings, no matter, because somewhere, there is always a random killer, rapist, or burglar, on the loose. Take some self-defense classes, don't get wasted at bars, and if you do drink, have a sober person with you who can defend you and get you home safely, etc. Your chances of saving your life are likely better if you hang up your cell phone while driving.

I agree that the title "big panic" is certainly correct. There is no need to flee Tallahassee, but it is a good reminder that there are many common sense ways you should protect yourself EVERY day.

Huge difference between advocating never striking up a conversation w/ someone you don't know and reminding women to be distrustful of strangers when there is a concern about a serial killer. :roll:

Sadly most people are killed by people they know and most women will be murdered by their lover, not some stranger.

I just talked to my friend and she had heard nothing but is fortunately leaving Tallahassee Fri. AM for her moms in TN. before coming here next week. I also forwarded your advice about calling someone to let them know when she is departing/arriving anywhere. She said "thanks" and that was something that she really didnt do anymore but that she will start doing it again TODAY.

6) Always verify someone's identity. If you are pulled over, ask to see a badge and only open the window an inch or 2 - enough to talk, not enough for them to reach in. They sell "police lights" at Spencer gifts.
7) Dial *FHP on any cell phone to reach the police.

..and you can buy a real badge on ebay, or get a security guard badge. I remember seeing a show about a real police officer being a serial killer. So badges don't matter. My guess is that the killer has a real job, could be a lawyer, plumber, librarian, lawn guy, etc. You never know who is behind the mask of a serial killer.

I'm having a lot of trouble finding any "facts" of these crimes of a "serial killer" other than the ONE beheaded female that was found. I'm beginning to think the "panic" over there is causing a lot of misinformation to be circulated about the internet. I did make a post in the comments section of the Tallahassee Democrat:

Would someone please inform me of just how many headless bodies have been found in the area recently? I see one for sure but no others.

I do not live in this area but have received an email from someone that does and here is what the email says:

Hey I just wanted to let you know that YALL NEED TO BE CAREFUL!!!! The police are not releasing information about this to ensure their chances of catching the killer but there has been a body found on the Fl/Ga line, plus that lady from Crawfordville, plus a 34 yr. old on tram road and ALL of the bodies are missing a head, arms and legs. Someone that works with XXXXX has a son that works for the Police Dept. and he told her that they are not releasing information about this and it IS a serial killer. This is very scary. Everyone needs to be very aware of their surroundings and don't talk to strangers or anyone you don't know. Try not to go anywhere alone.

Now then....show me something believable.

Yes, but often even a small show of assertiveness can make them decide to wait for a less troublesome target. You'll notice that I didn't say unlock the door or get out of the car after seeing a badge.

Fake badge etc. is also why the next item was the number for dispatch to confirm their identity. Even a "real" cop who's a serial killer isn't going to risk getting caught by having his victim's last known location being when he pulled them over!

If they've got fake police lights, a fake badge, and the cojones to continue after being challenged for ID and a call to dispatch - !

I don't know anyone who would call the police headquarters to find out if an officer is for real. As a society, we are very trusting.

If I got pulled over and my "danger will robinson" radar was going off - hells yeah I would!

True story. A woman's car was found along the highway and a few days later they found her body elsewhere. I traveled on that highway frequently. One day I heard a siren behind me to pull over. I knew that I wasn't speeding, and I didn't think I had any headlights out or anything. He pulled behind me, came to the car, asked for my license. I asked through my opened window of 1 inch what was the matter. He aggressively told me to step out of the car. I did not have my car parked. I had my foot on the break only. I raced away faster than lightning right to the police station figuring if he wanted me to get out of the car, it would be there. He didn't follow me. I made a report at the P.O. station. Turns out they had suspicians about him. I stayed with a friend for a while. He was later arrested for murdering that poor woman who was going to be married a week later. The stretch of the highway where I was pulled over was in a very high end area where I guess people might assume that a police officer would be screened more heavily or get a job through relation. This was true. He was related to an attorney I worked with. He was a relatively unassuming person.

Important thing to remember is use common sense and street smarts in any situation.

Scary story, and a good reason not to hand over your license, which contains your home address, name, etc., just because a cop asks for it. Ask to see their license too, and write down the info on it.

A friend just told me that it is legal to not pull over until you are in a well lit area, like a gas station etc. You are supposed to put on your hazards and them proceed to drive a SHORT distance to a populated or well lit area.

And if you are on the interstate, or hwy 98, with no populated are within a short distance, you what?

You do #6 and #7!