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Thursday, July 01, 1999
 		OnCampus/News
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 CAMPUS 
 
Students, residents fear rail killer
 
[Photo]
FILE PHOTO |
 
 Rafael Resendez-Ramirez
Height: 5'7" Weight: 140-150 lbs. Age: 38 Description: Medium build, male hispanic. He has scars on his arms, wrists, hands and forehead. He has a faded tattoo of a snake on his left forearm.
 
Jill Gorin
NEWS EDITOR
 
Angel Leoncio Reyes Recendis, the real name of suspected serial killer Rafael Resendez-Ramirez is still on the loose, making UK students and others who live near the railroad tracks on edge.
 
"Everybody has been scared out of their wits," said R. Sloan, Journal Avenue resident. "He could be hiding in the weeds and watching you when you're not looking."
 
The suspected serial killer is wanted for five murders in Texas, two in Illinois and the murder of Christopher Maier, a UK student, in August 1997 in Lexington. Police say he travels the railroad tracks, seeking his next victims.
 
WANTED
RAFAEL RESENDEZ-RAMIREZ is being sought in connection with a double murder that occurred in Jackson County, Illinois, on

June 15, 1999. He is also suspected of being involved in other homicides which have occurred in Texas, Kentucky and Illinois. Considered armed and extremely dangerous.

If you have any information concerning Resendez-Ramirez, please contact your local FBI office at 254-4038 or the national office at 1-800-889-8161.

REWARD
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading directly to the arrest of Rafael Resendez-Ramirez.
Sloan and her family are moving from Journal Avenue, because they feel they are too close to the railroad tracks.
 
"We thought we were safe here," she said, "but now know we're just too close."
 
UK students who live near the railroad tracks have not gone to such extremes, but still take precautions.
 
"I think you have to be smart," said Susan Samples, education graduate student and Gazette Avenue resident. "I just lock my door, don't go out after dark, stay in lighted areas...things you should do anyway."
 
One Conn Terrace resident does go out after dark, but has a faithful companion with him at all times.
 
"I walk my dog (a Collie mix named YoYo) after dark," said Jerry Pang, nursing graduate. "I think he'll see him before I would."
 
Many UK students taking summer classes must walk to campus, which can be scary for those who live near the tracks.
 
"When I walk to class, I never cross over the tracks, but I know several students who do," said Abbe Steinhauer, University Village resident and family studies and sociology junior.
 
UK Chief of Police Rebecca Langston wants to encourage not only current students, but future students coming to UK to be safe, regardless if Resendez-Ramirez is caught by then.
 
"Parents need to prepare students before they come to UK this fall," she said. "and tell them not to leave their cars or dorm rooms unlocked."
 
As for now, UK police are giving advice, but don't want residents to become frantic.
 
"We certainly don't want to cause panic," said Stephanie Bastin, of UK police operations. "But increased awareness and being more alert is what's called for."
 
"(Not going out alone and being aware of your surroundings) are common sense precautions you should take every day," she said, "only they're heightened."
 
One couple, Cameron and Sarah Alsup and their children, said that it is reassuring that police are occupying the area.
 
"We see police searching and looking," said Cameron Alsup, statistics graduate and Transcript Avenue resident. "They're really making an effort to find this guy."
 
But police caution about relying on them too much.
 
"People need to be responsible for their own safety," Bastin said. "Police can't be everywhere at the same time."
 

 
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