Tragedy struck Sandy Shore once more last week. On Tuesday, 9/13, a landlord at the Verdant Bay Apartment Complex found the body of Ashley Dixon in her apartment. "The poor girl was lying on the floor with her hands folded over her chest. Looking so peaceful. But I knew something was wrong right away," said Jim Kinsel, manager of the complex.
Police Suspect Another Sandy Shore Strangler Victim
When Jim Kinsel called 911 and explained that Dixon appeared to have been dead for some time, the operator called both the emergency medical responders and the police. The medical team determined that Dixon had been dead for several days, possible since the previous weekend. Detectives Tom Merton and Carl Spencer who have been spearheading the investigation into the string of recent murders, arrived at the scene and immediately suspected the victim was attacked by either the Strangler or a copy cat killer. ""The positioning of her body, and other items at the crime scene pointed to the same perpetrator who had committed the previous strangling murders, or a copy cat killer who had access to the details of the other murders," Detective Spencer is quoted as saying. "As we continue to investigate, we will assume that this crime is linked to the previous murders, either directly or indirectly."
Victim is a Recent Nursing School Graduate
Ashley Dixon recently graduated from Loyola's North Shore campus a the top of her class with a degree in nursing. "We were lucky to get Ashley," said Had Nurse Emily Kartham, Dixon's manager at the Sandy Shore Brook’s Memorial Hospital whee Dixon worked. She had only been here since her graduation, and already the staff and the patients loved her. This was here first job out of nursing school, and she was excited to come here every day." According to Kartham, Dixon enjoyed working with the patients on a more personal level, bringing her ukulele to work and teaching them how to play. "We're all going to miss Ashley," said Kartham. "Staff and patients."
Daughter of Prominent Business Family
Ashley Dixon was the only child of Brian and Gwendolyn Dixon of Dixon Manufacturing. One of the leading employers in Sandy Shore, Dixon Manufacturing has been a fixture in the town for more than fifty years. It was first opened by Nathan Dixon, Brian Dixon's father and Brian Dixon took over running the business after his father pass away. "Dixon Manufacturing is mourning the loss of Ashley," Company spokesperson, Mary Caufield is quoted as saying. "Employees at Dixon Manufacturing consider a child of every employee, especially the Dixon's, as a member of our own family. Our hearts and prayers go out to Brian and Gwendolyn. Their loss is incalculable."
Self Defense Classes Apparent Failure
Earlier this summer, The Sandy Shore Community College offered a new class in self defense, aimed primarily at the young women of the Sandy Shore community. "We emphasize first, staying out of dangerous situations, and second, escaping a dangerous situation if you find yourself in one," said Captain Matthew Granger, former special forces officer and self-defense class. "I remember Miss Dixon. An impressive young woman," Granger reported to us when we contacted him for a comment. "She took the class seriously and excelled at all we taught her, but obviously, it wasn't enough. I'm sorry she was unable to escape her attacker."
When Will The Killings Stop?
Ashley Dixon will be the fourth vicim of the Sandy Shore Strangler, if it is the same person who killed the others. The first victim was Judy Landon in June of this year. The next was Ana Neal the following July, followed by Maria Diaz in August. Dixon's murder occurred in September. When questioned about the regularity of the murders and if they expect another one in October, the detectives assigned to the cases of the killings were not able to comment as it is an ongoing investigation. "The Sandy Shore Police Department is doing everything in its power to protect the citizens of our community," Detective Merton stated. "Our advice to the young women of Sandy Shore is to be careful of who you let into your homes. Don't let in anyone you don't know. Keep vigilant. Know your surroundings. And contact the police if you suspect something suspicious."
Few Connections Between Vicims
Detectives Tom Merton and Carl Spencer confirmed that there were few connections between the victims. "None of the victims knew each other or had any connected activities," Spencer said when questioned about the women who have been killed by the Strangler. "We're working every angle, but for now, the victims are completely unrelated." However, the Sentinel's independent investigation found that though the victims are not related or connected, they all have similarities. They are all women in Sandy Shore, unmarried, living alone, and without children. They were all killed in their homes without any sign of a forced entry. In our opinion, each victim knew their attacker, or trusted them enough to let them into their homes without any fear of attack. Our message to the young women of Sandy Shore. Do not let anyone into your home if you are alone.