DELPHI, Ind. — Despite similarities between the descriptions of a man who sexually assaulted and killed a woman in a St. Louis store and the suspect in the killings of two Delphi teenagers, police say it's too premature to draw a link between the two cases.
A 53-year-old mother of three, identified as Jamie Schmidt, was killed Monday at the Catholic Supply of St. Louis store.
Police in St. Louis have released a description of the suspect, but he has not been identified. They are looking for a white man about 5-foot-8-inches tall, and 40-50 years old. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a navy blue Carhartt-style work jacket, a plaid shirt, red, white, and black in color, glasses, a brown belt with a red and blue square on the clasp or clip of the belt and a newsboys/flat hat.
A 53-year-old person of interest is in custody for the crime.
The description is similar to the one given for the Delphi suspect – the person believed to have killed teenagers Abigail Williams and Liberty German in February 2017.
A spokesperson with Indiana State Police said they are “aware” of the investigation in St. Louis, but that it’s premature to “draw any connection between the two investigations.”
“If and when an arrest is made of a suspect identified by the Indiana State Police as the alleged perpetrator of the Delphi Murders, rest assured, we will let everyone know,” ISP Capt. Dave Bursten said.
Police said they don't believe the suspect knew Schmidt, according to the Associated Press.
Williams and German went missing while hiking along the Monon High Bridge on Feb. 13, 2017. The girls' bodies were found the next day and the families, law enforcement and their community have spent the last 21 months trying to find the person responsible.
Anybody with any information on the suspect in St. Louis is asked to call 636-529-8210.
Indiana State Police released a picture of a suspect, which was taken by Liberty on her cell phone. She also captured a man's voice saying "down the hill" during what police call "criminal activity." You can listen to that recording and see the photo below.
Indiana State Police ask anyone who recognizes the man or the voice, or who may have any other information, to call the Tip Line at (844) 459-5786 or 1-800-225-5324 (800-Call FBI). Tips can also be emailed to Abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com. Information can be reported anonymously.
MORE COVERAGE | Delphi Daughters: The Untold Stories of Who Abby & Libby Were | Delphi investigation: The latest on finding the killer | TIMELINE: The disappearance and murders of Abby & Libby | 360 VIDEO: A tour of the Monon High Bridge Trail | Delphi Daughters: Families tell their story for the first time | Delphi girls murdered: What is the evidence? | Take 1 minute for justice for Abby & Libby
