Authorities are investigating a possible connection between the disappearance of Indiana University student Lauren Spierer and accused murderer William Clyde Gibson.
"A detective from the Bloomington Police Department has been assigned to make an inquiry with investigators in New Albany regarding the Clyde Gibson case they are investigating," Bloomington Police Department Captain Joe Qualters said in a statement Thursday.
Gibson, 54, was arrested last month for the April 19 murder of a 75-year-old Clarksville woman and the 2002 murder of Florida resident Karen Hodella. Gibson is also suspected of killing 35-year-old Stephanie Kirck of Charlestown, Ind. Kirck's remains were recently found on Gibson's New Albany property, police said.
Qualters said investigators are looking into Gibson as part of their ongoing investigation into Spierer's disappearance.
Spierer, 20, was last seen around 4:30 a.m. on June 3, 2011, just a few blocks from her Smallwood Plaza apartment. Earlier in the night, Spierer had visited Kilroy's, a nearby sports bar that closes at 3 a.m. When she left the establishment, she left behind her shoes and cellphone, police said.
After leaving the bar, Spierer reportedly went to the apartment of Corey Rossman, a fellow college student at the university, before deciding to walk home. What happened to her after that remains a mystery. She was reported missing less than 12 hours later.
Bloomington police, Indiana University police, the Monroe County Sheriff's Department, Indiana State Police and the FBI have all conducted searches for Spierer.
Qualters said that, while authorities have yet to find any evidence linking Gibson to Spierer, his M.O. has prompted them to look into him.
"We are certainly interested in anyone who comes to the attention of law enforcement for targeting women as victims," the veteran law enforcement officer said.
The FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit is assisting police with their investigation of Gibson.
Lauren Spierer is described as a white female who is 4-foot-11-inches tall with a slender build. She has blue eyes and blond hair. She was last wearing a white tank top with a light-colored shirt over it and black stretch pants. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call Bloomington Police at 812-339-4477. You can also visit FindLauren.com
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Lauren Spierer
CORRECTION: In a previous version of this article, the authorities in charge of the case were mislabeled. They are from Indiana.