Suspected Serial Killer Eyed As 7 Bodies Found Behind Strip Mall

Police said they have a suspect in the serial killing of seven people whose bodies were buried behind a strip mall in New Britain, Connecticut.

On Monday, police announced they found four bodies in the same location where three women's remains were discovered in 2007, according to CNN.

The four newly discovered bodies were unearthed in April during what authorities described as a serial killer investigation.

Police also said they have a suspect in the seven killings.

"There is no danger to the public at the time from the alleged serial killer," New Britain Chief of Police James Wardwell said at a press conference on Monday. Wardwell declined to name the suspect.

But both NBC Connecticut and the Bristol Press cite anonymous law enforcement sources who said the suspect is 45-year-old William Devin Howell.

Howell is in Connecticut prison serving a 15-year sentence for manslaughter in the killing of 33-year-old Wethersfield resident Nilsa Arizmendi. He was convicted in 2007, though Arizmendi's remains were never identified.

It's unclear if Arizmendi's remains are among those found behind the strip mall.

At the press conference, Chief State's Attorney Kevin Kane was asked whether Howell's name means anything to him.

“A lot of names mean a lot of things to me," Kane responded, according to the Press.

The three bodies found in 2007 were identified as Diane Cusack, Mary Jane Menard and Joyvaline Martinez. One of the four sets of remains unearthed last month is that of Seymour resident Melanie Camilini, NBC Connecticut reports.

Authorities said at least three of the victims were known to be substance abusers, the Press reports. Police said very little else to indicate what connection the victims may have had with each other or the suspect in the killings.

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