It’s not that law enforcement isn’t willing to do anything about it. Killers in this day and age are much more savvy, and with the prolification of information about investigative tactics easily attained via television, the internet, print media and the like, it makes the job of investigating these types of crimes much, much more difficult.

Also, you mentioned that several pictures appeared to be mugshots. A smart killer knows to target victims who might, for whatever reason, be willing to put themselves in circumstances that could lead to danger. This is why many serial killers commonly target prostitutes; they are easy to gain access to and, by the very nature of their occupation, must put themselves in situations that could easily turn dangerous.

I’m not saying ANY of these women were prostitutes or put themselves in dangerous situations. Some of the pics also appear to be DMV photos, which can often be misinterpreted as mugshots. But it’s important to understand that a predator is always on the lookout for prey. We never go about our lives thinking we’d like to become a victim. But the sad truth is that predators are always looking for that one opportunity, and it begins with someone who does not expect to be victimized.

Finally, with regard to what the author said about these cases not being formally acknowledged by LE as being connected: that is not uncommon, and it absolutely makes sense. In fact, this is a sign of investigative integrity. What that means is that the guy didn’t leave DNA with his victims, or the victims’ bodies were too effected by the elements of nature to attain foreign samples. In lieu of DNA, it would be wholly imprudent to take a position linking deaths, even if the M.O.s or criminal signatures are strikingly similar. I’m reminded of the case of Edmund Kemper. During his killing period, there were two other active killers in the same area targeting the same type of victims (young white women). Some of the methodry of the three killers overlapped. Had LE assumed all the victims were killed by one suspect, there could easily be two other killers walking about today.

I can assure you, though, that LE take these cases very seriously. In fact, it often dominates the investigator’s every thought. Driving down the road to pick up your kids from school, you are thinking about how the victim came into contact with their killer. Preparing dinner, you are wondering which wound was inflicted first. It can drive you nuts. But LE can’t reveal all the tireless hours they put into their investigations any more than they can offer the public the information they crave. It just isn’t good police work.