Police tie DNA from Diver murder to 'bike path rapist'
by KIMBERLY M. KARCHER Clarence Editor

This sketch of the bike path rapist was composed in 1994. He is now described to be a white male, 37 to 40 years old, five-foot-eight to six feet tall, with dark hair, eyebrows and a mustache.

Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard made a haunting announcement during a press conference held on Thursday.

Howard, along with other law enforcement officials, said that DNA has linked the murder of Clarence resident Joan Diver to seven unsolved rape cases and two unsolved rape/murder cases in Western New York.

The crimes are all linked to the perpetrator known as the bike path rapist.

"This is irrefutable evidence," Howard said. "The DNA is a definite connection."

Howard would not disclose where the DNA was found, other than to say it was not from Mrs. Diver's body, which was discovered near the Clarence/Newstead bike path two days after her Sept. 29 disappearance.

The DNA connection is the first confirmed case of the serial rapist in 12 years. His crime spree can be tracked in the towns of Amherst, Buffalo, Hamburg and now Clarence.

Out of the 10 known assaults, Mrs. Diver is the only victim who was not sexually assaulted, according to police.

DNA has linked seven of these 10 crimes, three of which are homicides, and the remaining three have been linked by the suspect's method of operation.

"This is somewhat shocking information," said Howard, who noted the evidence of the connection was revealed to him late Wednesday evening. "Where has he been for the past 12 years? This has haunted anyone with any knowledge of these crimes."

Howard said the DNA is now being processed through a national DNA database, and the department has received hundreds of leads since Thursday's announcement.

As of Monday morning, police had arrested one individual who skipped out on a parole hearing where he was supposed to provide a DNA swab. Officials said they will continue to arrest parolees who have not or will not submit to a DNA sample.

Policed are also investigating whether or not Mrs. Diver's sport utility vehicle was moved before or after the crime. Howard said evidence has indicated the possibility that the vehicle, which was found near Shisler Road, may have been moved by the killer. Witnesses have said they spotted Mrs. Diver's car near Salt Road that day. She was a resident of Salt Road.

Police have been collecting and testing evidence from the vehicle for weeks but would not say what was found.

"We feel it is inappropriate to release any more information while the investigation continues," Howard said.

Howard cautions anyone, especially females, using bike paths to take extra precautions, by running with someone else and changing their daily routine.

"The suspect is very aware of where he commits these crimes," Howard warned. "People, especially females, need to be aware. He is very meticulous about what he leaves behind."

Amherst Police Chief John Moslow said the safety of residents could not be guaranteed and every precaution should be used.

"We will not stop until there is an arrest," Moslow added.

"For a 20-year span of time, this individual has been preying on women in our society," said H. McCarthy Gipson, Buffalo police commissioner.

The first reported rape by the bike path rapist was in June 1986. The first reported homicide of the bike path rapist was 22-year-old University at Buffalo college student Linda S. Yalem, who was jogging on the Ellicott Creek bike path in September 1990 when she was attacked. His second murder was May Jane Mazur, who was found on Exchange Street in November 1992.

Almost two months ago, the bike path rapist killed his third victim but did not sexually assault her, according to police. Mrs. Diver's body was found proximately 20 feet from the Clarence/Newstead bike path in thick brush.

In most of his crimes, the bike path rapist approaches his victims from behind and incapacitates them with some type of cord around their necks.

A special investigation team involving officials from all four affected towns has been created to handle the case.

Anyone with any information is encouraged to call the Sheriff's Department tip line at 689-1390.

e-mail: k k a rc h e r @beenews.com