New Leads in Mercer Law Grad's Murder, But No Arrest Imminent; Police Chief Announces $12K Reward
Police investigating the murder of a 27-year-old Mercer University law graduate last night searched the next-door Macon apartment of a man who also is a graduate of the law school.
However, no arrest is imminent, Macon Police Chief Mike Burns said at a press conference today, reports 13WMAZ.
Authorities are awaiting results of forensic tests from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, he said. “Hopefully we can make an arrest today but I don’t see that happening.”
Burns, who declined to discuss the evidence in the case, announced a $12,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, reports the Macon Telegraph.
Bibb County District Attorney Greg Winters said unspecified new leads in the investigation of Lauren Giddings’ murder led authorities to obtain a warrant and search the apartment of 25-year-old Stephen McDaniel, according to an earlier 13WMAZ article.
McDaniel, who has been called a person of interest in the case, has not been named as a suspect.
He is being held in jail on unrelated charges that he burglarized two other law students’ apartments in the building, allegedly stealing condoms from them in late 2008 and early 2009, reports another Macon Telegraph article, relying on police reports. McDaniel is scheduled for a bond hearing tomorrow.
Giddings’ dismembered torso was found outside the apartment building on June 30, about five days after those who knew her last heard from her.
She and McDaniel lived in adjacent apartments and shared what the Telegraph describes as a common, awning-covered balcony overlooking the university’s Walter F. George School of Law.
Additional coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Dismembered Body Was Law Grad’s; Investigation Continues”
ABAJournal.com: “Police Seek Evidence in Mercer Law Grad’s Slaying, Await ‘Pivotal’ Forensic Results”
Macon Telegraph: “Police plan update in Giddings case this afternoon”
41 NBC News: “Giddings Murder: Police Focus Investigation on McDaniel”
