2 Women Found Dead in Suitcases Leads to Multistate Hunt for Killer
Zelich later admitted killing both women and received 35 years in prison, while DNA evidence linked him to the second victim.
- In June 2014, investigators discovered two suitcases containing human remains along a rural Wisconsin road, identifying the victims as Laura Simonson and Jenny Gamez; the discovery led authorities to Steven Zelich, a former West Allis police officer.
- Farmington Police Department Detective Sergeant Lee Hollatz had been investigating the disappearance of 37-year-old Simonson, who was last seen with a man using the online handle 'Mrhandcuffs,' which Hollatz later identified as Zelich.
- After his arrest, Zelich confessed to killing both women, claiming he accidentally strangled Gamez and Simonson during "breath play," and was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the murders plus 10 years for hiding a corpse.
- While Zelich's convictions brought legal closure, families of the victims continued to grapple with their loss; Gamez's foster sister, Amanda Duron, stated "Anytime you lose somebody that's so close to you, like your sister, your life's never going to be the same."
- A new '20/20' episode, 'The Suitcase Murders,' airs on Friday at 9 p.m. ET on ABC, with correspondent John Quiñones examining the investigation that spanned from Oregon to Minnesota and involved the FBI.
26 Articles
26 Articles
An online dating profile and DNA evidence helped solve the 2014 murders of two women. A former police officer was convicted in the case.
abc 13 Houston
2 women found dead in suitcases leads to multistate hunt for killer
When human remains were found in suitcases abandoned by the side of a rural Wisconsin road in 2014, a community was left shocked and searching for answers.
2 women found dead in suitcases lead to multistate hunt for killer - Regional Media News
When human remains were found in suitcases abandoned by the side of a rural Wisconsin road, a community was left shocked and searching for answers. The first responding officer opened one of the suitcases and discovered a woman's decomposing body - naked, bound with rope [...]
2 women found dead in suitcases lead to multistate hunt for killer
Retired Walworth County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jeff Recknagel and “20/20” correspondent John Quiñones examine evidence, including one of the suitcases in which the victims were found. (ABC News) When human remains were found in suitcases abandoned by
2 women found dead in suitcases lead to multistate hunt for killer - The Pulse of NH
Retired Walworth County Sheriff's Office Detective Jeff Recknagel and "20/20" correspondent John Quiñones examine evidence, including one of the suitcases in which the victims were found. (ABC News)When human remains were found in suitcases abandoned b...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 78% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
