‘Serial killer’ carnival worker ‘admits killing two women and a teenage girl’
A suspected serial killer who works for a traveling carnival has admitted killing two women and a teenage girl, police say.
James Michael Wright, 23, reportedly shot Elizabeth Vanmeter, 22, Athena Hopson, 25, and Jocelyn Alsup, 17, near his home in Washington County, Virginia, between late February and mid-Matrch.
Wright reportedly told cops he killed Vanmeter first, on February 28, after they’d had a fight, before burying her body near his home.
The young woman was reported missing on March 17, WJHL reported.
Alsup is said to have been Wright’s next victim, with the alleged killer reportedly telling police that he shot her after they had sex in the woods near his home on March 9.
He is said to have claimed he was trying to shoot an animal when he accidentally struck her with a bullet instead.
Wright told police he covered Alsup’s body with logs near a creek close to his home.
EastEnders sex shock as Sharon and Keanu reignite their passionThe teenager was reported missing the day before Wright says he killed her.
Wright also tried to claim Hopson’s death, which he said took place on March 17, was an accident.
He told investigators they’d gone for a walk, when he tripped, fell and accidentally shot her in the head, killing her.
The alleged serial killer is then said to have claimed he put Hopson’s body in the back of his truck, only for it to fall out as he drove over a bridge, and into a river that ran underneath.
He said he was unable to retrieve the corpse after.
Woman, 90, meets daughter, 70, for first time after putting her up for adoption as a babyWashington County Sheriff Fred Newman told a news conference Monday that his deputies were yet to uncover a possible motive for the killings.
He said: ‘Although he stated they were accidental we find that hard to believe based on the information that we have.’
Wright met all three of his alleged victims while working for the James H Drew Exposition carnival. Alsup was the daughter of one of Wright’s colleagues.
His alleged killing spree was uncovered when Johnson Police Department questioned Wright over reports he was the last person Hopson had been seen with.
Wright’s home was subsequently searched, and he is said to have admitted to all three killings during a second interview.
He has now been charged with three counts of capital murder, three counts of use of a firearm in commission of a felony and three counts of disposing of a body.
He remains in jail in lieu of bond.