The man suspected of killing a Santa Monica woman was previously convicted on felony charges for luring young women into his clutches by claiming to be a photographer in the entertainment industry.
In fact, in one instance that led to a conviction, the purported photographer used the exact same film title to lure his victim as he did with 22-year-old Kristine Johnson and another woman who escaped from him more than a month ago in West Hollywood.
Johnson’s bound and partially clothed body was discovered by hikers at the bottom of a steep hillside in the Hollywood Hills on Monday afternoon. She disappeared Feb. 15 after telling her roommates she was going to audition for the film production at the Century City Mall.
Police refused to release the name of the film production used by the suspect.
Johnson was found wearing a specific article of clothing that the suspect asked both her and the female from the West Hollywood incident to wear to their purported photo shoots. Johnson was last seen in a light blue corduroy outfit, blue jeans and a matching shirt, according to police.
Also on Tuesday, new details emerged about the house on Skyline Drive searched by police last week in connection with Johnson’s disappearance.
That house — a two-story Spanish-style home currently for sale — is located two houses away from where Johnson’s body was found, according to a source familiar with the property who wished to remain anonymous.
On Tuesday, the home’s front gate was sealed with yellow police crime scene tape.
However, Butts said Santa Monica investigators didn’t place the tape there and he wouldn’t confirm or deny whether the house was searched. Police have said a home in the vicinity of where the body was found was searched last week.
The home is located in an isolated neighborhood high in the Hollywood Hills that is difficult to get to.
“This person is a very convincing and very smooth predatory type person.” — — JAMES T. BUTTS JR. Santa Monica Police Chief
“Skyline Drive is out of the way — you have to know it’s there,” the source said, adding that actor Laurence Fishburne lived in the house until six months ago. “You don’t just happen upon Skyline... Whoever did this to this woman knew the area.”
Police said the suspect is being held on an unrelated parole violation by another law enforcement agency, though they refused to name which one. Also, investigators know the man’s name but aren’t releasing it while they build a case against him.
Two L.A.-area television news stations broadcast the suspect’s photo and name on Tuesday night, despite a warning from police that making his identity public could jeopardize the investigation.
“We are very disappointed that Channel 2 and Channel 9 decided to air the subject of interest,” said SMPD Lt. Frank Fabrega. “If this person turns out to be the suspect, other victims that come forward will have a difficult time proving anything in court because they have a pre-conceived notion that he’s guilty.”
Throughout the two-week investigation, police have remained tight-lipped on specific charges that would identify the suspect and information relating to evidence seized. Detectives have attempted to question him and he is not cooperating, Butts said.
“We are not going to discuss anything that will identify him,” Butts said, adding he has not met the suspect.
The suspect was arrested on the unrelated charge shortly after Johnson’s car was dropped off at the St. Regis Hotel in Century City on Feb. 16 — the day after she disappeared. He has been in custody ever since.
Ten search warrants were executed last week at various locations throughout Los Angeles, including the home on Skyline Drive and the suspect’s West Hollywood residence, which is located two blocks away from where he attempted to lure the woman in the January West Hollywood incident.
“There are other pieces of information that we believe tie the suspect to Johnson’s disappearance,” Butts said. “We await forensic processing of evidence secured from Kristi’s Miata and locations searched pursuant to search warrants before making a final arrest decision.”
“There are other pieces of information that we believe tie the suspect to Johnson’s disappearance.” — — JAMES T. BUTTS JR. Santa Monica Police Chief
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 5, 2003. Read the original PDF.