DNA match in Taylor Van Diest case
Posted Nov 23, 2011 8:26 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
BC Mounties believe whoever killed 18-year-old Taylor Van Diest in Armstrong, BC, Halloween night also sexually assaulted a woman at an escort agency in Kelowna seven years ago. Investigators have matched DNA samples from both crime scenes.
“The sexual assault occurred on April 12, 2005 and was reported to the Kelowna RCMP at that time,” said RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk. “The assault occurred inside the Garden of Eden Escort Agency which was then, and still is, located in the downtown area of Kelowna.”
The RCMP still doesn’t know the suspect’s identity, but officers are re-releasing a composite sketch from 2005. The man is described as follows:
Caucasian male with a darker skin tone, 19-20 years of age (making him now 25-26 years old), dark coloured eyes possibly brown, and with short dark hair. He is believed to be between 5’8″ and 5’10” with a stocky build. He is not particularly fit or muscular.
Police are also releasing a bit of a psychological profile, hoping the man’s family gives them a call.
“We ask that residents of the Okanagan to think back to the days just prior to Taylor’s murder on Halloween night to see if they recall some form of conflict, or personal upset on the day or days leading up to Halloween,” Moskaluk said. “This may include financial pressures, relationship pressures, job loss or other serious life stressor.”
“There may have also been changes to his regular routine, such as missed appointments, commitments to work or school. Friends, family and associates would have likely observed noticeable changes in his mood on or around Halloween night, which may have included a withdrawal or loss of interest in his usual activities, changes in appetite, changes in sleep patterns, irritability, increased use of alcohol or drugs or changes in personal grooming and hygiene.”
Moskaluk says the man probably had scratches and cuts on his body in early November. He believes he is still living in the Okanagan Valley.
Van Diest’s badly beaten body was found near some railroad tracks and she died before she arrived at the hospital. She was going to a Halloween party when she was attacked.
Earlier this month, police got a letter from someone claiming to be her killer warning more young women could be targeted. It’s still not known if the letter was legitimate.
The RCMP is asking anyone with information about this suspect to contact police via the dedicated tip line 1-888-688-4264.
