Elias Diaz charged with 2003 Philadelphia cold case murder of Rebecca Park
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The man arrested for recent knife attacks on the Pennypack Park Trail and suspected "Fairmount Park Rapist" has now been charged with killing a young medical student 20 years ago.
The Philadelphia District Attorney's office announced Wednesday that 46-year-old Elias Diaz, who was named a person of interest in the cold case Tuesday, was charged with murder, rape and multiple other counts in connection to the death of 30-year-old Rebecca Park in 2003.
Police believe Diaz attacked two other women in 2003 and a 25-year-old woman in 2007. He then remained elusive for 16 years until this November when a string of slashings rattled Pennypack Park.
Diaz was arrested on Sunday, Dec. 17, for a string of assaults at Pennypack Park. Then two days later, police said they uncovered DNA from Diaz that determined he was involved or a person of interest in Park's murder.
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Police believe Diaz was living in an encampment in Pennypack Park before his arrest on Sunday.
Mike Chitwood Jr., now a sheriff in Florida, headed up the investigation into the disappearance and murder of Park back in 2003. She was the second person police say Diaz attacked.
"I'm so proud of the detectives, they never let up," Chitwood Jr. said. "They were always trying to do something with technology because as long as you have DNA, there's always a possibility that somewhere in the future as the science becomes even greater, you're gonna be able to go back to these cases and close them."
The genealogical analysis used to narrow down possible persons of interest included a field of more than 1,000 people, police said.
Investigators were also able to use DNA and forensic genealogical data to compose images of Diaz and photos that were widely distributed over the years as police kept on the case.
"He had all of these women one-on-one at his mercy. Well now, no mercy should be shown toward him," Chitwood Jr. said. "I hope this guy pays for what he did -- the terror he put the community and these women through for the last 20 years."
The DA's office said the Philadelphia Police Department's investigation into Diaz's connection to Park's murder and other rapes from that time is ongoing. Anyone with information that could lead to arrests and additional charges against Diaz is asked to contact the PPD at 215-686-TIPS (8477), or by calling 911.
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District Attorney Larry Krasner also said victims or witnesses can contact the Women Organized Against Rape at 215-985-3333.
Court documents show Diaz's next appearance is a preliminary hearing scheduled for Jan. 8, 2024, and he is being held without bail.
Court records also do not list an attorney for Diaz.
