GUILTY PA - Dr. Melissa Ketunuti, 35, murdered in her Philly home, 21 Jan 2013

[jjenny]

She only had a shirt on according to this report.

"During a news conference Tuesday, homicide division Captain James Clark said that the woman’s body was found clad only in a shirt, although he did not believe she had been sexually assaulted."

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/01/23/reward-offered-in-murder-of-chop-doctor/

 

[Filly]

One of the latest articles said he was working in her neighborhood.

Here is a new article talking about towing his silver pick up and the guy's dog charging at police and was fired upon

http://www.phillyburbs.com/my_town/...cle_8ddbfc0a-d9d9-5573-860a-120318ff8255.html

Didn't read it yet Colette, but thank you again. You are quick. Much appreciated.

 

[JoeFromLB]

updated 10 minutes ago:

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=8965078

The man was taken to police headquarters in Philadelphia around 9:00 p.m. Wednesday.

A silver Ford truck was towed from the home late Wednesday night.

Sources say the work truck is what led investigators to the Bucks County home.

They say this was the truck captured on surveillance cameras Monday in the neighborhood of the murder victim, Dr. Melissa Ketunuti.

...Action News is told there is evidence inside the truck that is important to the investigation.

Sources say the man who the truck belongs to can be also seen on surveillance cameras, out of his truck, on foot, following behind Dr. Ketunuti on South Street.

They say the man stalked behind Ketunuti all the way to her home on Naudain Street, where the investigators believe he went inside, tied her up, and set her on fire.

According to sources, the man left Ketunuti's home after about an hour and can be seen on surveillance circling the house a couple of times.

 

[Isabelle]

The "no sign of forced entry" never convinces me to eliminate the intruder aspect. Depending on specifics regarding her residence and the experience/skill of who wanted to gain entry, there are plenty of offenders who could enter and not leave behind clear evidence.

My prayers are with her family.

Maybe he plied her with a good deal on extermination (no pun intended, seriously). So sad. She was so smart and so cute!

 

[Filly]

updated 10 minutes ago:

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=8965078

The man was taken to police headquarters in Philadelphia around 9:00 p.m. Wednesday.

A silver Ford truck was towed from the home late Wednesday night.

Sources say the work truck is what led investigators to the Bucks County home.

They say this was the truck captured on surveillance cameras Monday in the neighborhood of the murder victim, Dr. Melissa Ketunuti.

...Action News is told there is evidence inside the truck that is important to the investigation.

Sources say the man who the truck belongs to can be also seen on surveillance cameras, out of his truck, on foot, following behind Dr. Ketunuti on South Street.

They say the man stalked behind Ketunuti all the way to her home on Naudain Street, where the investigators believe he went inside, tied her up, and set her on fire.

According to sources, the man left Ketunuti's home after about an hour and can be seen on surveillance circling the house a couple of times.

The one shop on South was the one with the seriously excellent surveillance. If my hearsay is right he went back that way like nothing happened. Just walking.

So sad. Her family isn't even from this country. She left DC to come here and this is what happens?

 

[Filly]

She only had a shirt on according to this report.

"During a news conference Tuesday, homicide division Captain James Clark said that the woman’s body was found clad only in a shirt, although he did not believe she had been sexually assaulted."

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/01/23/reward-offered-in-murder-of-chop-doctor/

She may have not been sexually assaulted, but this doesn't mean he didn't try or that his DNA was left in more ways than one.

Then again what's the definition of sexual assault via Captain Clark at this time?

I feel awful writing this, but did he burn Meilissa up top because of DNA or because he wanted to obliterate her identity because he's a sadistic ?

 

[Filly]

Wait a minute. It probably isn't connected, but there was a woman left on a lawn or lot in Harrowgate early Monday morning just dumped. No pants, and her shirt over her face. I was going to start a thread, but the sources all said something different.

Not far away, but in reality this neighbrhood compared to Melissa's is a world away. We'll see if he frequented here. Maybe he has lived here.

Prayers for the poor woman also found murdered. She too is someone's daughter.

 

[Filly]

This was the other woman murdered. I haven't seen she was ID'd. I'm not sure if they mean her own lawn? One source said alley. One said lot?


http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Womans-Body-Found-on-Kensington-Front-Lawn-187849241.html

Poor woman has the misfortune to be murdered in a very bad part of the city. However, the silver truck guy may have been in a rage? Out all night? Who knows?

 

[Ausgirl]

Lots of questions to be asked, Filly, and don't feel bad for wondering out loud.

In the other crime I was looking into, there was facial trauma, hogtying, massive overkill post-mortem... no rape (at least,, no penetration or sign of sexual assault, yet she was posed sexually) and no-one ever arrested for it. The psychology of a guy who'd do a thing like this is of vast interest, I can't help speculating a bit too.

I'm wondering much the same things as you, so far.

Oman, I am not typing fast enough -- do you think these two could be connected? Maybe he was set off by stressors in his life, and went on a rampage..

 

[Filly]

Lots of questions to be asked, Filly, and don't feel bad for wondering out loud.

In the other crime I was looking into, there was facial trauma, hogtying, massive overkill post-mortem... no rape (at least,, no penetration or sign of sexual assault, yet she was posed sexually) and no-one ever arrested for it. The psychology of a guy who'd do a thing like this is of vast interest, I can't help speculating a bit too.

I'm wondering much the same things as you, so far.

Oman, I am not typing fast enough -- do you think these two could be connected? Maybe he was set off by stressors in his life, and went on a rampage..

Aus, do you mean a connection between your case or the other woman found murdered here? Anything is possible. We'll see where he's lived and maybe it is connected to your case if the age fits.

The poor woman on the lawn is iffy. Then again ya never know. She was found in a part of the city that's real rough with drugs and prostitution. Still she is also someone's child and maybe a mom?

IMO they're definately set off by stressors. Probably can't commit the act. Won't take it out on the people they are angry at and instead pick on a tiny in stature female. Most likely we'll find out he's had problems and never got busted on them. Point being who in heck would leave a dog out to charge when the police are out there?

If you'd like link your case if it's here. You just never know.

 

[Filly]

Wondering aloud. What is in that truck? Could the bug spray be used as an accelerant? He wouldn't take a woman's pants with him and leave them in his truck, right? Did someone notice something of Melissa's was missing? Her boyfriend would know jewelry and her co-workers.

Imagine the people he sprayed for? Could he have sprayed for the dog boarding place?

 

[jjenny]

If they actually have a man on video following her, then (IMO) he likely didn't know her. She was a very attractive woman. It sounds completely random to me (in that she didn't know this person and this person didn't know her).
As she was entering her home, she could have been quickly jumped from behind and taken into the basement.

 

[Ausgirl]

Aus, do you mean a connection between your case or the other woman found murdered here? Anything is possible. We'll see where he's lived and maybe it is connected to your case if the age fits.

The poor woman on the lawn is iffy. Then again ya never know. She was found in a part of the city that's real rough with drugs and prostitution. Still she is also someone's child and maybe a mom?

IMO they're definately set off by stressors. Probably can't commit the act. Won't take it out on the people they are angry at and instead pick on a tiny in stature female. Most likely we'll find out he's had problems and never got busted on them. Point being who in heck would leave a dog out to charge when the police are out there?

If you'd like link your case if it's here. You just never know.

Filly, no chance of a direct connection -- more a maybe chance to help ID a perp via psychology of motive (there are several known suspects in the other case, never arrested).

Good on you for stating that drug dealers and hookers are somebody's family - I hate that so many of their deaths are seen as less important because they are "high risk".. but that's another rant, ha.

And yeah -- bet you there's a preggo wife/nagging MIL/money hassles/something setting him off on a mission to feel more powerful. Pathetic.

I also think he's the type to take a souvenir - but will evidence in the truck show the murder was planned?

 

[Filly]

If they actually have a man on video following her, then (IMO) he likely didn't know her. She was a very attractive woman. It sounds completely random to me (in that she didn't know this person and this person didn't know her).
As she was entering her home, she could have been quickly jumped from behind and taken into the basement.

No, I don't believe they knew eachother either, jenny.

He easily could have known the layout of her house. Even if not I used the word "bum rushed" earlier. When you're busy and your mind is on other things and you were shopping and getting coffee it's so easy to not pay 100 attention and the way the fronts of those houses are he could just slip up behind her. Jumping someone isn't even necessary. We had numerous attacks a few years ago like that in CC. You get out your key and here they come and ask a question or something and are in.

Lord knows I lectured my DD enough. She lived close to there, but with roomates and there were other tenants. I worried my DD may have her key already out, but what about the other girls? She also learned the hard way not to even look at someone asking for a light or the time. She got a gun to her head that way.

I can not even imagine. The grief has to be overwhelming.

 

[Filly]

Filly, no change of a direct connection -- more a maybe chance to help ID a perp via psychology of motive (there are several known suspects in the other case, never arrested).

Good on you for stating that drug dealers and hookers are somebody's family - I hate that so many of their deaths are seen as less important because they are "high risk".. but that's another rant, ha.

And yeah -- bet you there's a preggo wife/nagging MIL/money hassles/something setting him off on a mission to feel more powerful. Pathetic.

I also think he's the type to take a souvenir - but will evidence in the truck show the murder was planned?

We'll see about the truck, Aus. This could be helpful to your case.

Agree souvenier.

Oh well the drug dealers I have no sympathy for anyway. They're out there making money on the misery of others. The men and women out there addicted selling themselves for drug money I do feel for.

Prayers for Melissa's family. My heart breaks for them. This bright, beautiful woman with so much to give just murdered. It's not right.

 

[Filly]

Sorry for all the posts.

How did he not wonder there weren't other people home?

How did he know that dog was either crated or wouldn't attack him?

Have to wait for the update on where he sprayed and for whom?

 

[jjenny]

Well, he could have just been "winging" it. Dog walker came in really soon after the murder. My understanding is that the body was on fire, and dog walker put that fire out. So, whoever committed this crime, likely didn't know all the details of the household.

 

[Ausgirl]

... or knew enough to get his timing right?

 

[jjenny]

... or knew enough to get his timing right?

I very much doubt it. If there is a video of this person following her, that suggests he didn't know her. Or there would be no need to follow.

 

[Ausgirl]

Possibly. But it could have been part of the thrill for him.

If he didn't know her at all, he took a -massive- risk in attacking her in her home from the door-- he'd have no clue who was in the house, etc. Maybe he took that risk (ie, was utterly psycho) but maybe he wasn't, too.