Local law enforcement officials have called a mechanic to help fix an unsolved murder with the renowned criminal profiler setting his eyes on clearing a homicide over 20 years old.

“My advice to the killer is he should not plan any long trips or buy any green bananas,” warned Richard Walter, a murder case consultant who has been brought in by District Attorney General Lisa Zavogiannis to help solve the December 1996 murder of Lela Mae Adcock, 74. “I anticipate success.”

Adcock was found murdered inside her apartment on Rebel Hill Street just before Christmas in 1996. Her throat had been cut. While several promising leads were followed after the murder, none panned out, leaving the case in the cold case file for two decades. However, Zavogiannis said she has not given up bringing the killer to justice.

“We are working to give our community and the victim’s family closure,” Zavogiannis said. “And, I think we’re closing in.”

Walter, who works with the Sherry Black Foundation for Peace Officers, helps local agencies in solving cold cases. He has 22 years of experience interviewing thousands of convicted felons around the world.

“I guess you could call me a mechanic of murder,” Walter said of his affinity for solving cold cases, noting there is a “keen person of interest” who has been developed in the Adcock case. The veteran sleuth believes investigators are on the brink of breaking the case wide open.

“Our killer acted with intent but was inexperienced,” said Walter, noting the suspect’s actions may have given away his identity. “He may have helped identify himself.”

The investigator, who did not divulge the identity of the prime suspect, said he believes the killer has been empowered all these years he has escaped apprehension.

“Information is power,” Walter said. “Now it’s our turn. Sometimes killers get caught in their own web.”
Walter’s local work has been in an advisory and training role as he complements local law enforcement efforts. He says he has already seen breakthroughs in the case but noted things remembered even now, 21 years later, by the public could have a major impact in making the case against the murderer.

“We still would like the public’s help,” Zavogiannis said, noting she believes Walter has breathed new life into the cold case. “We consider this a hot case now.”