RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -- A Richmond criminal profiler believes one person could be linked to the disappearances of Alexis Murphy and Samantha Clarke even though the cases have their differences.
Randy Taylor is the common thread in the disappearance of Murphy and Clarke, who vanished nearly three years apart.
And while Taylor has been charged with Murphy’s abduction, he is certainly on investigators radar for Clarke’s mysterious disappearance.
Dr. Joan Neff, a criminologist at the University Of Richmond, said that some criminals are opportunists that will take advantage an opportunity if it presents itself.
Taylor lived in Clarke's Orange County community in 2010. Fast forward to 2013 and Taylor’s new residence was in Murphy's community.
In fact, witnesses told police his truck was often seen in the area of her home. And investigators said both Murphy and Taylor were seen together on gas station surveillance video around 7 p.m. the night she disappeared.
"I don't think it's necessary to say that all stalkers or people who try to lure women into a situation for murder or sexual crimes are necessarily looking for the same type of women physically," said Neff.
Dozens of officers were at Taylor’s home this afternoon-at one point moving the media back. Experts said there is a good chance they could be working on information Taylor provided.
“It’s not unusual to make an arrest and make an individual give more information or to get the person to confess and that's what I'm sure they're doing with this person,” said Neff.
Additionally, Neff said Taylor's place of residence at the time of both incidents certainly raises the red flag, but adds police definitely had to have more than that to make the arrest.
Randy Taylor is behind bars with no bond. His next court date is in January, which gives prosecutors five months to work on the case.
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