BRIANNA DENISON - Aged 19 years - Reno, Santa Barbara (USA)

merlynsam
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:47 pm

BRIANNA DENISON

Last seen around 4 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 20



Charles' Crime / Punishment Blog

From Charles Montaldo,

Police Puzzled Over Missing Reno Student

A Santa Barbara City College student, who was home in Reno, Nevada, on winter break, went out partying with friends Saturday night and then spent the night on their couch. When Brianna Denison's friends woke the next morning she had disappeared, leaving her personal items behind.

A friend drove Denison home Saturday night and she was last seen around 4 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. She slept on a couch near an unlocked glass door using a two-foot teddy bear as an extra pillow. The next morning, she and the teddy bear was gone, but her clothes, purse and cell phone were still there.

Investigators have searched door-to-door in the neighborhood and have used helicopters and search dogs looking for clues of what happened to the 19-year-old Denison. They believe that she was abducted.

They have interviewed the friend who gave Denison a ride home and have eliminated him as a suspect.

No Trace of Brianna

"We have not discovered any shoe prints, anything that might lead us to a direction that a suspect may have taken her," Police Commander Ron Holladay told reporters. "We have done extensive searches both with canines and also on foot and door to door, under houses, backyards, things like that and have turned up no clues."

"All the indicators are that Brianna has been abducted," Holladay said. "It is our sincere hope that she'll come walking in the door any minute, but the longer it goes, the less the chances are of that occurring."

The FBI and two investigators from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have joined the search for Denison. Her family has offered a $100,000 reward in the case.

http://crime.about.com/b/2008/01/24/police-puzzled-over-missing-reno-student.htm

merlynsam
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:54 pm

--

Associated Press

Jan 22, 2008

By SANDRA CHEREB

Reno Cops: Missing Student Was Abducted

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Investigators went door to door Tuesday searching for a 19-year-old college student who they believe was kidnapped from a friend's home over the weekend. Brianna Denison was last seen around 4 a.m. Sunday when she went to sleep on her friend's couch after a night of partying. She slept near an unlocked glass door and used a 2-foot-tall teddy bear as an extra pillow, police said.

When the friend awoke, Denison and the teddy bear were gone. Her purse, cell phone and clothes, including two pairs of shoes, were undisturbed, police said.

"We have not come up with any other clues, any of the items or anything that would lead us to Brianna at this time," police Lt. Ron Holladay.

Detectives were awaiting test results on whether a stain on the pillow she was using was blood.

The FBI and two investigators from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children joined the search Tuesday. Police aided by helicopters and dogs scoured the neighborhoods near the home.

The search teams planned to concentrate on a park near the home before a snowstorm later Tuesday, police spokesman Steve Frady said.

Family members Monday night pleaded for help and her safe return. They described Denison as caring and responsible.

(...)

Denison's friend, K.T. Hunter, told the Reno Gazette-Journal that the couch is against the wall of the bedroom where she was sleeping with her dog. She said that she never heard a noise and that the dog never barked.



http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hA_DEEClMpRwsFr29Un8v3z-yCtwD8UBA6MG0

merlynsam
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:57 pm

Associated Press

Jan 23, 2008

By SANDRA CHEREB

Search Turns Up No Sign of Reno Student

RENO, Nev. (AP) — An extensive search has turned up no new clues to the disappearance of a 19-year-old college student last seen sleeping near an unlocked door, police said Wednesday.

Officers questioned a man who had given Brianna Denison's friend a ride home the night before she disappeared, but said he is not a suspect.

"We have spoken with the person who was driving the Suburban that we were looking for originally and he is not involved in the case," police Cmdr. Ron Holladay said Wednesday in an interview with CBS' "Early Show."

Denison, visiting her hometown during a a winter break from her school in California, was last seen at 4 a.m. Sunday. Police said she had been sleeping on a couch near an unlocked glass door after a night of partying. When her friends awoke later that morning, she was gone — but her clothes, purse and cell phone were left behind.

"All the indicators are that Brianna has been abducted," Holladay said. "It is our sincere hope that she'll come walking in the door any minute, but the longer it goes, the less the chances are of that occurring."

Investigators with search dogs have combed the neighborhood.

"We have not discovered any shoe prints, anything that might lead us to a direction that a suspect may have taken her," Holladay said. "We have done extensive searches both with canines and also on foot and door to door, under houses, backyards, things like that and have turned up no clues."



http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hA_DEEClMpRwsFr29Un8v3z-yCtwD8UBMJIO0

merlynsam
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:02 pm

Charles' Crime / Punishment Blog

From Charles Montaldo,

Student's Disappearance Linked to Prior Assault

DNA evidence found at the scene of a 19-year-old student's disappearance in Reno, Nevada on Jan. 20 has been linked to a sexual assault of another student a few blocks away on Dec. 16. Police are seeking a while male in his 30s in connection with the disappearance of Brianna Denison and the earlier attack.

After the DNA match was made between to two cases, investigators interviewed the victim of the earlier attack to get a more detailed description of her attacker. She is a University of Nevada-Reno student.

"Our chances of capturing the suspect are exponentially increased now because of the DNA," Reno Police Commander Ron Halladay told reporters. "He probably lives in the area. It's still my hope that Brianna is alive, and we're expending every resource possible to get her back safely."



http://crime.about.com/b/2008/01/28/students-disappearance-linked-to-prior-assault.htm

merlynsam
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:04 pm

Associated Press

Jan 27, 2008

By MARTIN GRIFFITH

Cops: Disappearance Tied to Prior Attack

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Police said Sunday a DNA link between the disappearance of a 19-year-old woman and the December sexual assault of a college student leads them to believe a sole attacker was responsible for both cases.

DNA taken from the scene where Brianna Denison was last seen Jan. 20 matches DNA gathered after the Dec. 16 sexual assault of a University of Nevada-Reno student who lived several blocks away, police commander Ron Holladay said.

Police believe a white male in his 30s is responsible for Denison's disappearance and the attack, Holladay said.



http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hA_DEEClMpRwsFr29Un8v3z-yCtwD8UEJPQ81

merlynsam
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:06 pm

Daily Nexus

Published Monday, January 28, 2008

DNA Tests Link Abducted Student to Prior Attack

After a week without leads, Reno police have now found new evidence in the case of missing Santa Barbara City College student Brianna Denison.

Following a lab test, detectives have ruled that DNA found at the crime scene matches a sample taken from a Dec. 16 sexual assault of a University of Nevada-Reno student who lived only a few blocks away. Police believe the 19-year-old Denison was abducted on Jan. 20 after she stayed overnight at a friend’s house in Reno where a sliding door was left unlocked.

Reno police have re-interviewed the victim of the Dec. 16 attack, who was abducted just outside her house and then returned to her home by the suspect. On Jan. 19, just a day before Denison disappeared, the woman of the Dec. 16 attack was the victim of an attempted burglary, which police believe may be associated with the attacker.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Reno Police Commander Ron Holladay said police believe the suspect is a white male in his 30s.



http://www.dailynexus.com/article.php?a=15595

merlynsam
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:11 pm

WTOP News

By SCOTT SONNER

January 31, 2008 - 10:36pm

2nd Attack Tied to Suspected Abduction

RENO, Nev. (AP) - DNA evidence now links the suspected abduction of a 19-year-old woman from a friend's home to two attacks on women near a university late last year, and authorities said Thursday that they're investigating still another attack that could be related.

Already linked to a sexual assault in December, DNA evidence ties the suspected abduction of 19-year-old Brianna Denison on Jan. 20 to a November attack in the same neighborhood, police said.

And police have released a sketch of a suspect in an October attack in a parking garage near the University of Nevada, Reno, that investigators believe might be tied to the other cases. The woman who said she was attacked came forward because of the extensive media coverage of Denison's disappearance, University Police Chief Adam Garcia said.

The woman said she was attacked at gunpoint at about 10 p.m. Oct. 22 in a garage within 100 yards of a campus police station. She said a man "attacked her from behind, knocked her to the ground and held a gun to her head while sexually assaulting her," Garcia said.



http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=104&sid=1028152

merlynsam
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:13 pm



America's Most Wanted

AMW MISSING DATA FILE FOR BRIANNA DENISON

Police Link Reno Attacks To Brianna Denison Disappearance

http://www.amw.com/missing_persons/case.cfm?id=52576

INCLUDES VIDEO FOOTAGE INSIDE THE HOUSE FROM WHERE SHE DISAPPEARED

merlynsam
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:19 pm

Nevada Appeal

January 28, 2008, 7:15 AM

F.T. Norton, ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com

Description released of person sought in Brianna Denison disappearance

Victim of Dec. 16 rape tied to Denison disappearance provides police with more details of her assailant

New information released in the disappearance of Brianna Denison on Jan. 20, ties it to a kidnap and sexual assault on Dec. 16 and possibly the fondling of another woman. The following information released by the Reno Police Department is relative to a possible suspect vehicle and a suspect description:

• Suspect vehicle: Extended cab pick-up truck or SUV, dome light above the windshield, tall enough that it requires a step up to gain entry, floor-mounted console that was described as “fairly skinny” that opens in front, blue and red LED read-out on the radio, cloth seats, automatic transmission. There was a baby shoe on the front seat floor board. There were 8 ½” x 11” white pieces of paper with typing on the floor board of the front seat.

• Suspect: White male, approximately 28 - 40 years, long face with a square chin, taller than 5’6” but not excessively so, very strong but not with a significantly muscular build, a belly that was described as not excessively large and firm but not flabby, an “innie” belly button, shaved pubic region, a light covering of hair on his arms, no jewelry or a watch, facial hair about a quarter to a half an inch long below his chin and was soft and not prickly as stubble normally is, unknown if he had a mustache, brown head hair of undetermined style, normal speech with no accent or regional dialect, no smoker’s breath, no alcohol, no bad breath, no cologne or after-shave.

• Suspect clothing at the time of the Kidnap/Sexual assault: red (not maroon) short sleeve shirt described as being made of material similar in feel to a Fubu jersey-type shirt (silk/rayon/polyester type) with a medium blue-colored neckline, short printed (possibly embroidered) word on the upper left breast area, another shirt underneath with wrist-length sleeves, unknown color pants – regular length – not jeans. The pants reminded the victim of basketball pants as the material was smooth but they made no noise when he moved and they had an elastic waist band and no zipper.



http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20080128/NEWS01/198670093

merlynsam
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:23 pm

FOXNEWS.COM

Thursday, January 31, 2008

DNA Links Suspect in Missing Nevada Coed Case to Third Local Attack



DNA evidence has now linked two attacks late last year on women near a university campus to the suspected abduction of a third woman on Jan. 20, and authorities said Thursday they're investigating another 2007 case that could be related.

Already linked to a sexual assault in December, police announced that new DNA evidence ties the suspected abduction of Brianna Denison to a third attack in the same neighborhood in November.

They also released a composite sketch of a suspected rapist in a previously unreported attack in the area in October that investigators said is "not inconsistent" with the descriptions in the other three cases near the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno.

The developments stem from an "exponential increase" in information flowing into police tip lines since investigators released a description on Monday of a suspect in a December kidnapping and sexual assault, Reno Police Commander Ron Holladay said.

Police said DNA helped link that crime to evidence collected at the Reno home where the 19-year-old Denison last was seen in the early morning hours of Jan. 20.

On Thursday, police said they also were investigating the October r ape of a woman who came forward on Wednesday to report she was attacked at gunpoint in a UNR parking garage within 100 yards of a campus police station.

Some of the characteristics are similar that she has given, however I wouldn't go as far as to say they are an exact match by any means," he said, adding that "not inconsistent" was an accurate way to describe them.

The new sketch is based on the woman's description of a 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10 white male with light brown or dirty blond hair. He had a slender to medium build and was wearing a dark-hooded pullover sweat shirt, athletic-type nylon sweat pants with black stripes and white tennis shoes, Garcia said.

The woman described the weapon as a black and silver handgun, the first time police have reported the use of a gun in any of the attacks.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,327367,00.html

merlynsam
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:25 pm

Kolo 8 News

1st February 2008

Police Continue to Keep Watch on UNR Neighborhood

Police are continuing to keep a close eye for anything suspicious in the UNR neighborhood. A man stopped by Reno Police around midnight Thursday in the UNR area was questioned and released. No arrest was made.

Police were responding to a call of a suspicious man fitting the suspect description in the Brianna Denison case.

http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/15112331.html

merlynsam
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:27 pm

Mercury News

2nd February 2008

Volunteers search for missing teenager
SERIAL RAPIST SUSPECTED IN RENO CASE

Two weeks after she vanished from a friend's house in Reno, a 19-year-old woman was the target of a search Saturday by Nevada first lady Dawn Gibbons and hundreds of other volunteers.

Volunteers combed neighborhoods and wildlands around Reno in an effort to find any sign of Brianna Denison, who police think was abducted Jan. 20 by a serial rapist linked by DNA to a string of attacks near the University of Nevada, Reno campus.

Gibbons spent much of the day with a 14-member team conducting a grid search on the sage-covered lower slopes of Peavine Mountain above northwest Reno. Standing 20 feet apart, team members looked for clothing and other evidence.

Gibbons said any missing person case is tragic but the local disappearance struck home because her 20-year-old son, Jimmy, was a classmate of Denison at Reno High School.

"It touches your heart," she said. "She's a nice kid, a really nice kid. It helps when you're out looking for her, for anything that could find her. Obviously, we want her back alive."

Police continued to track down leads Saturday in the case that has put neighborhoods around the university on edge and prompted expanded campus patrols and escorts.

http://www.mercurynews.com/nationworld/ci_8155926?nclick_check=1

merlynsam
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:28 pm

Reno Gazette Journal, NV

3rd February 2008

Family asks for more volunteers in search

The Brianna Denison Search Center will continue conducting civilian volunteer searches through Feb. 10.

Family members on Saturday said they were grateful for the more than 250 volunteers who went on searches earlier in the day. But they need more.

Denison, 19, was abducted from her friends home on Jan. 20, near the University of Nevada, Reno.

(..)

Besides needing volunteers for ground searches, Denison's Aunt, Lauren Denison, said more are needed for logistics duties such as signing in volunteers, handing out fliers and creating blue ribbons that say "Got Bri."

The search center will remain at the Circus Circus convention center and will take volunteers beginning at 9 a.m. The last search crews are sent out around 2:30 p.m. so they can return before dark.

Volunteers need to be at least 18, in good physical condition and have a photo identification. They are encouraged to dress for the outdoors. To reach the center, call 785-8302.

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080203/NEWS/802030350/1321

merlynsam
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:29 pm

KOLO TV

4th February 2008

Police Combing Northwest Reno Neighborhoods For Clues

A lack of promising leads in the Brianna Denison case is causing Reno Police to resort to some unusual methods.

Officers are patrolling several neighborhoods near the home where Brianna Denison was kidnapped and they're stopping anyone who resembles the suspect in her disappearance.

So far, most people have been cooperative, but some say the police might be going too far.

"I have mixed feelings about it," says Justin Boucher, a UNR junior. "Because stopping someone on appearance is profiling, that's the definition of profiling...so i don't know if they should be doing that or not."

Reno Police are routinely making stops in Northwest Reno, hoping it will lead them to Briana Denison's abductor.

Authorities are pulling people over; taking pictures; and DNA samples if the person is compliant.

Students say these are sacrafices people should be willing to make to help solve the case.

http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/15270231.html

merlynsam
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:02 pm

Kolo 8

Feb 6, 2008

Reporter: Terri Russell

Hounds, Horses look for Denison

http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/15380746.html

merlynsam
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:05 pm

News Review

7th February 2008

By Dylan Riley

A shadow over campus

Students and instructors try to carry on normally as evidence mounts of campus crimes

http://www.newsreview.com/reno/Content?oid=620684

merlynsam
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:10 pm

RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL

2/7/2008

By JACLYN O'MALLEY

DNA backlog donations at $70,000

Donations to eliminate a DNA backlog at the Washoe County Crime Laboratory increased to $70,000 by late Wednesday, the sheriff's office reported.

Law enforcement officials Monday appealed to the public for $150,000 to pay for the processing of the 3,000 DNA samples from convicted offenders. Local official said new state law requires the samples but provided no money for processing.

The samples would be entered into state and national DNA databases, which could provide a link to the man who abducted Brianna Denison, 19, on Jan. 20.

Sheriff Mike Haley said it's possible that eliminating the backlog could result in murders, rapes, robberies and other cold cases being solved. Authorities say the man who abducted Denison has been linked by DNA to at least two other sexually motivated attacks against University of Nevada, Reno students within blocks of where Denison was kidnapped. That DNA has not matched any stored in the state and national databases.



http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080207/NEWS01/802070355/1321/NEWS

pam supportfromireland
Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:33 am

I see family are looking for more volunteers in search. Anyone know anyone in Reno that could help?

hippy
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:06 pm

Santa Barbara News

16/2/2008

Autopsy to tell if body is missing Reno kidnap victim

http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/article.jsp?Section=OPINIONS-LETTERS&ID=565245875702988929

hippy
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:24 pm

Las Vegas Review Journal

16/2/2008

Reno police decline to link body, missing college student

http://www.lvrj.com/news/15698092.html

hippy
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:25 pm

Record Courier

16/2/2008

Body found in south Reno won't be identified until Saturday

http://www.recordcourier.com/article/20080215/NEWS/654581021/-1/NEWS

hippy
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:37 pm

Nevada Appeal

16/2/2008

Discovery of woman's body fuels speculation about Brianna Denison case

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20080216/NEWS01/739453410/-1/NEWS

Concerned about Madeleine
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:12 am

FoxNews.com

Saturday, February 16th

Associated Press

Police ID Body of Missing Reno Coed

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330890,00.html

Very sad news :cry:

pam supportfromireland
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:37 am

It is amazing you expect it, but when see it in black and white, it makes it so incredibly sad. Hope they find the person responsible.

hippy
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 1:41 pm

How sad - just went into missing to see if any news and her name had disappeared! I knew where this would be! :cry: