Pennypack Park Attacker Linked To Killing, Rapes: Police

PHILADELPHIA — Authorities in Philadelphia reportedly have the man dubbed the "Fairmount Park Rapist" in custody.

Police believe Elias Diaz, the 46-year-old man who was charged in connection with attacks in Pennypack Park, is the man behind the Fairmount Park rapes, as well as the fatal strangulation of 30-year-old Rebecca Park in 2003.

This is due to DNA test results that have all but confirmed Diaz as the attacker in the Fairmount incidents, police said Tuesday.

The "Fairmount Park Rapist" struck four times in the park.

Three of the incidents, including a rape and murder, occurred in 2003; one occurred in 2007.

On April 30, 2003, a 21-year-old woman was raped at knife point at Kelly Drive and Fountain Green Road.

On July 13, 2003, Rebecca Park, 30, jogging in West Fairmount Park was raped and strangled to death at 3500 Conshohocken Ave. Her body was found four days later.

A 37-year-old woman who was jogging on West River Drive near the Falls Bridge on Oct. 25, 2003, when the suspect attempted a knife point rape. The woman was able to escape.

All the attacks occurred within a one-mile radius and investigators used DNA evidence to link them to one suspect who became known to the public and the media as "the Fairmount Park Rapist."

Then, Aug. 11, 2007 at Frankford and Solly avenues a woman was raped and police believe the same man was responsible.

All these attacks took place in park settings against females who were jogging or walking.

Police said the victims of the attacks gave similar accounts of his appearance, describing him as a Hispanic man with a Latino accent, medium and muscular build, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, dark complexion, black hair with a thin mustache or jaw line beard and bushy eyebrows.

He was also described in previous incidents as having a "widow's peak" hair line.

In two cases, he was wearing an earring in his left ear.

He was seen leaving two scenes on a purple metallic 10 speed bike.

DNA from these incidents was entered into the Combined DNA Index System for routine searches. To date, there have been no leads.

The PPD Office of Forensic Sciences also submitted the DNA profile to Interpol for a global search which also did not return any leads. Recently, the OFS has submitted the sample for genetic genealogy and phenotyping analyses.

Genealogical leads have not identified a subject.

DNA phenotypic analyses uses DNA to predict the physical characteristics of the subject.

The predictive characters are not absolutes and cannot account for characteristics such as age, weight, and elective alterations. However, it can be used to develop a composite "sketch" of the subject.

At the time of the initial attacks, the subject’s age was provided as approximately mid-20s to late 30s.

Anyone who has information on these cases can anonymously provide it via the police Tip Line at 215-686-8477.