By By JAMES CRAWFORD – Special to The Standard
The search for Melinda McGhee expanded last week as investigators from Escambia County Sheriff's Office traveled to Louisiana to met with investigators of the Louisiana serial killings to discuss the possibility of the two cases being linked and to have those investigators review the evidence Escambia deputies have found.
Louisiana television station KATC Channel 3 reported on their website Friday morning that Louisiana investigators are exploring the possibility that the serial killer may have been involved with the abduction of McGhee from her home in the Poarch community on March 24.
According to KATC, Smith said his department contacted the serial killer task force a few weeks ago because of similarities between the serial deaths in Louisiana and the disappearance of McGhee. Officials said the task force regularly consults with other agencies about unsolved crimes.
The Baton Rouge Area Foundation, in conjunction with CrimeStoppers announced a new $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer.
To be eligible for the new reward, the information must be called into the Crimestoppers tip line between Monday, April 21 and Friday, August 1.
The family of Pam Kinamore, the killer's third known victim, is still offering a 100,000 dollars.