East St. Louis may accept FBI help in murder cases

EAST ST. LOUIS -- East St. Louis police say they would accept help in investigating the murders of nine women whose bodies have been dumped there over the past two years, despite spurning an offer from the FBI last year.

"The FBI has lots of expertise that can lend credence to any investigation," said East St. Louis Police Chief Delbert Marion, who was promoted to the top job last month. "We're not too proud to accept assistance from anyone."

FBI Agent Reginald Joseph said Thursday he planned to extend another invitation to help East St. Louis Police in the investigation. Despite media accounts that mentioned his agency's involvement, Joseph said the FBI has never had a role in the investigation.

A similar invitation to former Police Chief J.W. Cowan last year was never accepted, Joseph said.

"Why he didn't accept the invitation, I don't know," Joseph said.

Since that time, the bodies of four more women have been dumped in East St. Louis, including two found this week, bringing the total to nine since Nov. 8, 1999.

"We're not leaving out" the possibility that the crimes are related, East St. Louis Detective Sgt. James Mister said Wednesday, "but there's nothing connecting them that I know of now."