Kansas Suspected Serial Rapist Linked To 14th Case

MANHATTAN, KS — A man suspected of sexually assaulting 13 women in two Kansas college towns has been linked to another case and remains on the loose, authorities announced Thursday.

The 14th case is a July 2015 attempted rape in Manhattan, police in Riley County and Lawrence said during a joint news conference. The man is suspected in 12 other rapes and one other attempted rape from 2000 to 2008, The Kansas City Star reported.

Authorities are urging other women who may have been victimized to come forward. All but one of the attacks occurred during school breaks at Kansas State and the University of Kansas, police said. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

The Kansas attorney general's office announced in 2009 that it was investigating the link between the attacks after the two communities sought help.

"We are here today because we need the public's help," said Anthony Brixius, the interim police chief in Lawrence.

Officials also announced Thursday that they'd created a website asking for the public's help. The site allows people to read information about the crimes and to provide tips and assistance to help solve the case. An anonymous donor provided a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the rapist.

Investigators said they are working several leads but are not in a position to discuss that information. They have not released a name of a suspect.

The suspect is now described as a white male, about 5 feet 10 inches tall with a prominent stomach and large thighs. He is believed to be in his 30s.

Authorities have said the man sees a woman and learns her routine. In each case, authorities said, the man wore a mask, and in many cases he had a gun.

Investigators have not disclosed whether they have recovered any DNA evidence.

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