Suspected serial killer a master of disguise

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jun 24, 1999 by MICHAEL GRACZYK

The Associated Press

HOUSTON -- The railroad drifter wanted in connection with eight killings is a master of disguise, changing names and Social Security numbers and using glasses and facial hair to hide his identity during the years, investigators say.

They are puzzled as to what may have driven Rafael Resendez- Ramirez from burglary to a multi-state killing spree. "It's almost as if he woke up someday and snapped," said West University police Sgt. Ken Macha, who is investigating one of the killings. "There's no clear progression of violence." The tattooed ex-convict, who is believed to be 38, is wanted in connection with five killings in Texas and at least two more in Illinois, and has been tied to a 1997 slaying in Kentucky. Investigators believe he is making his way from town to town by hopping freight trains. All of the slayings took place near railroad tracks, and most of the victims were bludgeoned. Fingerprints have tied Resendez-Ramirez to at least some of the killings. Investigators aren't sure of the motive for the killings, though items were stolen in several of the cases. "All I do know is that if this person is the person we suspect in these crimes, it's a very dangerous and violent person," said Don K. Clark, agent in charge of the FBI's Houston office, where the probe has its headquarters. "I think he can be considered Public Enemy No. 1 right now." According to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Resendez- Ramirez first came to the attention of authorities when he illegally tried to enter the United States from his native Mexico in 1976. He was deported two months later, the first of at least four deportations and numerous run-ins with U.S. authorities. He said he was 16 at the time but has given authorities a variety of birthdates over the years and has used false identity papers to slip in and out of the country, seemingly at will. In fact, authorities said they aren't even sure Resendez-Ramirez is his real name. His description on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List includes 30 aliases. "He's a master of disguise," said Luisa Aquino, an INS spokeswoman in Houston. Resendez-Ramirez has been arrested as many as 10 times from coast to coast. He has spent time in federal prison and at state prisons in Florida and New Mexico. But most of his history involves burglary and getting caught trying to illegally obtain or use American identification. The FBI said he is a native of Puebla, Mexico, 5-foot-7 and about 150 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He has scars on his right ring finger, left wrist and forehead, a snake tattoo on his left arm and maybe a flower tattoo on his left wrist. Sometimes he has worn a mustache, other times he is clean-shaven. Sometimes he wears glasses; sometimes he doesn't. He is believed to be a heavy alcohol and drug user, although his criminal past doesn't appear to indicate that. Resendez-Ramirez has described himself as an orphan, but investigators speaking on condition of anonymity said he has at least one stepsister in New Mexico, others in Mexico and still others believed to be in the upper Midwest around the Great Lakes and Vermont. Texas Rangers have interviewed some family members but have declined to comment.