Police release more details in Im death
MU researcher Jeong Im died of stab wounds Jan. 7 on third level of
Published Oct. 4, 2005
MU police released a photograph Tuesday of the knife used in the January killing of 72-year-old MU researcher Jeong Im.
The knife, an "Old Hickory" model that police said probably was made between 1954 and 1984, has an 8-inch blade and a 5-inch wooden handle with the "Old Hickory" trademark.
Im was killed between 10:30 and 10:45 a.m. on Jan. 7 near his car on the third level of the Maryland Avenue Parking Garage. Shortly after noon, the suspect returned to set fire to the vehicle, police said. Im's body was found in the trunk of his Honda Accord. Boone County Medical Examiner Valerie Rao said that autopsy findings showed Im died of multiple stab wounds to the chest and did not die from the fire.
Police are not sure if one or more people were involved with Im's death. MU police Capt. Brian Weimer said the knife was found at the scene, but declined to give specifics.
Investigators also are looking for the owner or driver of a faded red, 1980s model Ford F-150 pickup truck with a light gray or tan camper shell with tinted windows. The truck has a faded black driver's side door, a damaged front bumper and a rear driver's side quarter panel.
Police also released an updated description of a "person of interest" in Im's killing.
The person of interest is described as a 6-foot to 6-foot-2 slender white male with medium length wavy or curly brown hair. Police said the person of interest might have worn a painter's or drywall mask.
"What's important is that the person may or may not have been wearing the mask at the time," Weimer said. Weimer also said the suspect might have been carrying a gas can.
A reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in Im's death has been raised to $25,000.
Police ask that anyone with information contact the MU Police Department at 882-7203 or Crime Stoppers at 875-TIPS.