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UPDATE: FBI joins investigation into slayings
Authorities believe same person
killed all three victims
By TIM GULLA
Ledger Staff Writer
tim@gaffneyledger.com
A team of more than 30 investigators from multiple agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has been assembled in the wake of three murders in less than a week in the northwest corner of Cherokee County.
During a press conference Thursday morning, Cherokee County Sheriff Bill Blanton confirmed investigators believe all three killings were committed by the same person.
Hazel Keaton Linder, 83, and her daughter, Gena Linder Parker, 50, were both found shot to death inside Linder's home at 114 Buck Shoals Road on Wednesday afternoon.
Investigators scour the area near the house where the two bodies were found for evidence. The Federal Bureau of Investigation joined the manhunt Thursday.
Local peach grower Kline Cash, 63, was shot to death inside his Battleground Road home just last Saturday.
"We feel it's the same person," Blanton said of the killer, though he declined to reveal what evidence led investigators to that conclusion.
And police believe that although one of the victims was a male, that the killer seems to be targeting women, since the first person he approached last Saturday was Mr. Cash's wife.
A task force of investigators, crime scene analysts and forensic scientists from numerous police agencies and counties has been assembled to hunt down the killer.
"They're not going to stop until this man is caught," Blanton declared, surrounded by Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright and a bevy of other law enforcement personnel.
Blanton is advising area residents to remain vigilant and cautious. They're advised to not let anyone inside their homes if they don't know the person.
Door to door salesmen are being warned to stop knocking on doors for everyone's safety.
Blanton even said a legitimately stranded motorist is advised to call 9-1-1 or flag down other motorists and ask them to call for help rather than knock on doors.
Any tips, no matter how "trivial," are being sought.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, which is heavily involved in the probe, are taking over the Cherokee County Crimestoppers tip line so that it's manned 24 hours a day and tips can be handled immediately.
Blanton and other investigators declined to provide many details of Wednesday afternoon's murders, such as how the crime scene appeared, the locations of the mother and daughter inside the home, or the type of weapon involved in their killings.
The suspect in the death of Mr. Cash was driving a 1991-1994 two-door Ford Explorer Sport with faded grey or champagne-colored paint.
A dark blue van, possibly a mini-van, was seen leaving the driveway of the Linder home at about 3 p.m. Wednesday.
The killer, whose sketch was distributed earlier this week in connection with the Kline Cash killing, is considered extremely dangerous.
Blanton reached out during the press conference to the killer's possible friends, family or acquaintances for information, not only for the safety of others but themselves.
"He's unpredictable," the sheriff said of the killer. "He acts on impulse."
The sheriff said Mr. Cash, Linder and Parker were unrelated. But just like the death of Mr. Cash, it appeared the deaths of Linder and Parker might have stemmed from a robbery.
"These were three good people minding their own business," the sheriff said. "They didn't deserve this to happen to them."
The suspect allegedly approached Cash under the pretense of buying hay. While there was a “Hay For Sale” sign near the Linder home, police confirmed it was not Linder's sign and that they were not in the business of selling hay.
Sheriff Wright said his office has at least eight investigators working on the probe. Some of his officers have been involved since the death of Mr. Cash.
All of the police agencies involved are redirecting resources to the hunt for this killer.
Blanton said his deputies' off-duty assignments were being pulled so they could focus on the murders. The state Highway Patrol is chipping in as well to help patrol Cherokee County while deputies focus on the murders.
"This is a matter of priority," said Spartanburg Sheriff Chuck Wright.
All of the killings took place just a few miles from the Spartanburg County line and the North Carolina border, making this important for all involved.
"Bad guys don't like it when good guys talk across county lines," Wright added.
More information is expected to come out as the case unfolds.
Additional press conferences may be held either later Thursday or Friday.
The Gaffney Ledger will be updating readers both online and in print as developments occur.
