October 21, 2014

Finding Victims In Gary Case A Lengthy Process

Darren Vann of Gary has been charged in the slaying of a woman whose body was found Friday at a Motel 6 in Hammond.  - Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Darren Vann of Gary has been charged in the slaying of a woman whose body was found Friday at a Motel 6 in Hammond.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

GARY, Ind. (AP) — Investigators in Indiana and Texas are reviewing unsolved murder cases and missing person reports after a man told police he killed seven women and hinted that there may have been more victims over the last 20 years.

Darren Vann of Gary, Indiana, was charged Monday in the death of 19-year-old Afrikka Hardy. Her body was found Friday night at a Motel 6 in nearby Hammond. Officials said she had been strangled.

Hammond Police Chief John Doughty says the 43-year-old Vann confessed to Hardy's slaying and directed police to six bodies in Gary.

Vann is a convicted sex offender in Texas.

Investigators could have a hard time determining if Vann had other victims. Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson says Vann may have preyed on those who aren't likely to be noticed missing.

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