Byers Christine - In Cold Pursuit

In Cold Pursuit

In Cold Pursuit

My Hunt for Timothy Krajcir
The Notorious Serial Killer

By Lt. Paul Echols and Christine Byers

New Horizon Press
Far Hills, New Jersey

Copyright 2011 by Paul Echols and Christine Byers

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever, including electronic, mechanical or any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher.

Requests for permission should be addressed to:

New Horizon Press

P.O. Box 669

Far Hills, NJ 07931

Echols, Paul and Byers, Christine
In Cold Pursuit: My Hunt for Timothy KrajcirThe Notorious Serial Killer
Cover design: Robert Aulicino
Interior design: Susan S. Sanderson

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010925080

ISBN-13 (eBook): 978-0-88282-420-8
New Horizon Press

Manufactured in the U.S.A.

2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 / 5 4 3 2 1

T his book is dedicated to all of Tim Krajcirs victims and their families. Specifically, we dedicate this book to the families of Mary and Brenda Parsh, Sheila Cole, Virginia Witte, Joyce Tharp, Myrtle Rupp, Margie Call, Deborah Sheppard, Mildred Wallace and Grover Thompson. The murder victims have been identified, along with many of the rape victims, but there are others out there who were never found.

T his book is based on the experiences of the authors and reflects their perception of the past, present and future. The personalities, events, actions and conversations portrayed within this story have been taken from interviews, research, court documents, letters, personal papers, press accounts and the memories of some participants.

In an effort to safeguard the privacy of certain people, some individuals names and identifying characteristics have been changed. Some characters may be composites. Events involving the characters happened as described. Only minor details may have been altered.

D eborah Sheppard didnt have time to freshen up between her dancercise class and the championship intramural basketball game. But she didnt need to. She was beautiful even after a workout. It was a Thursday, one of two nights a week that Deborah religiously attended fitness classes. Heads turned as she walked into the basketball courts with her rust-colored jumpsuit with white stripes hugging her curves. The faint smell of chlorine lingered in the air from the Olympic-sized swimming pool near the basketball courts at Southern Illinois Universitys student recreation center. She was there to support her friends and roommate Anthony Smith as their all-black team The Chosen Few battled The Saltons for the title in a predominantly white league.

Summer break was about a month away for students. Deborah was about to graduate with a bachelors of finance degree. She planned to move back to the Chicago area after graduation to be near her family and had dreams of becoming as successful as her father. Her parents, Bernie and Hazel Sheppard, planned to make the six-hour trip down to Carbondale and spend Easter weekend with their firstborn. They hadnt seen her since Christmas. Her younger sisters looked forward to staying in Deborahs apartment to share some girl time while their parents stayed at a nearby hotel. Bernie decided against taking the girls out of school a day early to make the drive to Carbondaleit was a decision he would agonize over for the rest of his life. So instead of traveling that Thursday, the family planned to get an early start the next day, Good Friday.

Deborah didnt mind. The extra day gave her more time to clean up her apartment before their visit and time to go to the big game. She found a seat among some of her girlfriends, but it didnt take long for the first man to approach her. Randy Dickerson spotted her. The two had been in an on again, off again relationship since the year before. At the moment, it was on. He smiled when her eyes caught his. He got up and walked toward her just as the crowd erupted into applause for another basket scored by the Chosen Few.

Hey, Deb, whats up? Randy asked.

Nothing much. You think they are going to win? Deborah asked.

Yes, theyre hot tonight, he responded.

The pair watched the game, cheering for their friends as points were scored. Randy didnt want his moment with Deborah to end in the stands.

Deb, would you like to go over to the Varsity Theater? Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip is showing, he asked.

Probably not. I am all sweaty and need to take a shower, she said. I also need to pick up some stuff around my apartment. My parents are coming down tomorrow.

Okay, Randy said.

Rejected.

Soon, a friend of Deborahs caught her attention and she moved to another spot on the bleachers to strike up a conversation. It was obvious the Chosen Few were going to have a good night. Deborah decided they didnt need her support as it was clear they were on their way to victory, so she got up to leave when an old friend, David Goose Canada, tried to stop her.

How you doing, lady? he asked.

Deborah looked at him with her big brown eyes, but didnt flash a smile and didnt break stride on her way out of the building. He had tried courting her for something more than a friendship in the past. She told friends she would never date him, because she wasnt interested in him. David was not pleased with Deborahs cold reception. He mumbled something else to one of his friends about Deborah. She said something back. Their words got lost among the cheers of the crowd, which was focused on the game. And so did Davids attention to Deborah.

About the same time, Randy noticed Deborah was gone. He assumed she had left for her apartment only a couple blocks away. He stayed and watched as the Chosen Few took the championship. Anthony beamed with pride as the photo was taken. The reward for the victory was modest: a T-shirt declaring them intramural league champions. Deborah watched from a doorway as the Chosen Few celebrated the victory. She called her friend Jo to tell her the good news.

Hey, girl, they won! Deborah said.

For real? Thats great. What are you doing for dinner? Do you want to grab something?

No, I have to go back and take a shower. My parents are coming tomorrow. I might call Murray and see if hell bring me some tacos. Curt is supposed to come over later and go over what clothes Im going to wear for that magazine shoot.

Okay, thats cool. Talk to you later.

Murray Jones was like most of the men in Deborahs life: He would do anything for her. And she knew it. The previous summer, he asked her to go with him to his family reunion in Belleville, Illinois, just outside of St. Louis, Missouri. She agreed. He offered to give her a watch as a sign of their friendship, but Deborah took it as a sign that he wanted more. She rejected the gift. She did like him as a friend but wasnt attracted to his slightly overweight build. He now worked at a Mexican fast-food restaurant and didnt mind bringing leftovers to Deborahs apartment every chance he got.

His roommate was Curt Reichert, a photography major, who had taken pictures of Deborah before. She trusted him. He was busy taking pictures of the championship team as Deborah left for her apartment, only a few blocks away.

Anthony beamed with pride as Curt took the picture. The thrill of victory couldnt last long. He had to get ready for his job as a student janitor on campus. He got to the apartment he shared with Deborah around 7:30 P.M. Deborah was in the kitchen making something to eat. Soft music was playing from an eight-track player. She had changed into hot pink sweatpants and a V-neck top.

Hey, Anthony. You guys played great tonight! Deborah greeted him. When are you going to get your T-shirt?