NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. -- Seven hours south of Niagara Falls, the death of a suspected serial killer is a "potential lead" in the deaths of two local women.
Last month in Niagara Falls, Terri Lynn Bills was found dead, her body dismembered. A police search led to the discovery inside a vacant home. Just a week ago, 90 law enforcement from various local, state and federal agencies launched the largest police search in Niagara Falls history, looking for clues in the murder.
Bills' death mirrored that of Loretta Jo Gates three years ago. Gates' killer also dismembered her body. Both women had engaged in prostitution and escort services, according to family.
The local cases may fit a possible motive in an investigation in Charleston, W.Va., where a woman posted an escort ad on a website and was attacked when a man who responded entered her home.
The woman, identified only as Heather, was able to get the gun and kill the man, 45-year-old Neal Falls. Heather has been cleared of any charges, because police say she acted in self defense.
A search of Falls' SUV turned up what one detective described as a "serial killer's toolkit", including knives, a machete, shovel, bulletproof vest and bleach.
That led Charleston Chief of Detectives Lt. Steve Cooper to conclude Falls is a possible serial killer.
"We want law enforcement across the country to be aware of [this case]," Lt. Cooper said.
Niagara Falls Police Captain Kelly Rizzo confirmed his department reached out to his counterparts in Charleston.
"We are looking at [the West Virginia] case as another potential lead," Captain Rizzo told 2 On Your Side.
Charleston Police say they have received inquiries from various agencies across the country, including in Nevada, where 4 escorts were murdered. Falls was in Nevada during at least one of the murders, according to reports.
The Niagara Falls connection is only a "potential lead". It's too early to know if any evidence matches that gathered in the Bills and Gates investigations. However, a retired detective told 2 On Your Side even the slightest chance of a connection requires police to do a thorough investigation to see if this possible serial killer also attacked here in Western New York.
