Shannon Lassere & Marianne Weissman: 2 Indianapolis women killed in ‘similar manner’ days apart, victim’s son says ‘not a coincidence’
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA: Just five days after two women were discovered dead "in a similar manner" on the same Indianapolis road, the bereaved son of one of them fears "someone weird and evil" may be out there.
The local outlet reported that on Thursday, February 1, the body of 52-year-old Marianne Weis was discovered behind a strip mall, approximately 450 feet away from the scene where 58-year-old Shannon Lassere was found fatally stabbed in the parking lot of a dentist office on January 27.
Police identifies similarities between two murders
Weis' cause of death has not been disclosed by Indianapolis police, but according to Captain Roger Spurgeon, both women "were killed in a similar manner".
Without providing more details, officials stated that the women, who were both White and in their 50s, displayed physical signs of trauma.
Although there hasn't been an official connection made between the murders, interim police chief Christopher Bailey noted that there are "similarities in these two cases".
He explained, "We’re here out of an abundance of caution to share information with the community," hoping “for information that will help move these investigations forward."
Justin Smith, victim Shannon Lassere's son, thinks both are the work of the same killer.
"I feel like there is somebody out here doing something. It’s not a coincidence. Something’s wrong," he said to Fox 59. "There’s somebody weird and evil walking around out here doing something."
Three years ago, Lassere—who was deaf—moved to Indianapolis with her family from Seattle. Justin claimed that on the evening of January 26, she walked from her house to a nearby gas station and never came back.
His mother's body was discovered across the street from her residence.
About "the most amazing woman ever," her son remarked, "I had a bad feeling in the morning."
"It was just so callous the way they took her. She didn’t deserve it. She wouldn’t have prompted it.”
Shannon Lassere's daughter hopes for justice
Cecilia, Lassere's daughter, added that there was too much coincidence for the two killings to be unconnected.
She told WTHR, "For my mom to be found and then for someone else to be found in the same area later, something is definitely going on, and I hope they find justice."
“Why would someone hurt her?” the bereaved daughter asked.
“She was so welcoming. Any of my friends that was ever in my life, she welcomed them in. She was just the best person ever. Like, she made me the mom I am today.”
In the vicinity of the two consecutive killings, police are increasing patrols and requesting that residents examine their security cameras for any suspicious activity. It is advised that people avoid going for nighttime walks by themselves and pay attention to their surroundings.
