Parents call on experienced coroner
to review Penich murder case
By Jeremy Kirk, Seoul bureau
chief
Jamie Penich |
SEOUL — The parents of a 21-year-old Pennsylvania student who was murdered here in
March have asked an American forensic pathologist to review their daughter’s case.
Cyril H. Wecht, Allegheny County, Pa., coroner, reviewed autopsy photos and reports
last week from South Korean police officials. Police have been unable to link a suspect to
the crime scene where Jamie L. Penich’s body was found, despite 10 weeks of
investigation. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, known as CID, has been
assisting in the probe.
"I believe this has all the earmarkings of a crime of rage because of the
appearance of the body," Wecht said earlier this week. "I believe it’s
sexual rage."
Lee Won-tae, Seoul’s medical examiner, said Penich was brutally stomped and died
from a blow to the neck and chest.
Wecht consulted on the O.J. Simpson case and the 1996 plane crash that killed
then-Commerce Secretary Ron Brown.
The South Korean police also are seeking help from the FBI to contact a Netherlands
woman who slept in the victim’s motel room.
Anneloes Beverwijk, 22, says she slept through the March 18 murder, waking only when
someone entered the room, and when someone nudged her shoulder.
Beverwijk returned to the Netherlands about 10 days after the murder. Police want to
question her again, said Hwang Woon-ha, chief of detectives at Yongsan Police Station,
Friday, but they have been unable to contact her.
Since leaving South Korea, Beverwijk said she hasn’t been contacted by either
agency.
Earlier this month, an FBI agent visited Patricia and Brian Penich, the victim’s
parents, at their Derry Township, Pa., home.
The attacker left a bloody shoeprint in the room, but police have not linked it to a
suspect. No fingerprints were lifted from the scene, police have said, and DNA tests
haven’t produced conclusive evidence.
At least five U.S. soldiers have been suspects but were dismissed. Korean police say
that on the night of the murder, Penich danced with U.S. soldiers at Nickleby’s bar
in the Itaewon entertainment district.
Korean police suspect Penich’s attacker danced or socialized with her that
evening.
Back to May stories
Page Two news roundup
Stories from April, 2001
Stories from March, 2001
Stories from February,2001
Stories from January, 2001
Stories from December, 2000
Stories from November, 2000
Stories from October, 2000
Stories from August and September, 2000
Stories from June and July, 2000
Home |
