MPD Announces Names of Skeletal Remains

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 17, 2018
Homicides | Videos |

The Metropolitan Police Department announced the names of the three women whose skeletal remains were found on the 100 block of Wayne Place, SE in April.

During a press conference Aug. 15, Police Chief Peter Newsham identified the three women as 48-year-old Jewel King, 41-year-old Verdell Jefferson and 43-year-old Dorothy Butts.

Verdell Jefferson

Dorothy Butts

Verdell Jefferson

According to Newsham, the cause of death for King and Butts were gunshot wounds, and Jefferson’s death was deemed the result of blunt force trauma. Furthermore, Newsham said two of the women were killed by “at least one suspect or circumstance” based on how they were found.

When asked if the suspect was a serial killer, Newsham said the MPD was not ruling that out. Newsham noted that all three victims were women, found in the same area and killed in the same year, 2006. Newsham said there were no other links between the three deaths.

While the police have no persons of interest at this time, MPD is asking the community for help as their investigation continues.

“If you knew any one of these women, if you frequented the area or lived in the area,” Newsham said.” If you were a delivery person or a mail carrier or any of the like, and you were in the area during the year of 2006 you may have a bit of information that could be of help.”

MPD is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the suspect or suspects involved in this case.

https://youtu.be/FH6XgXeLRoQ