A man whose confession led the cops to uncover the bodies of about 7 of his victims has been identified as Darren Vann, 43, of Gary, Indiana.
Darren Vann was taken into custody after the discovery of the body of his latest victim - Afrika Hardy - over the weekend. Reports indicate that he volunteered information to the police about the locations of the bodies of his other victims.
Hammond police say Darren Vann contacted Hardy online under the pretext of paying for her services as a prostitute. The two then proceeded to arrange a meeting at a motel on 179th street.
According to Hammond Police Chief John Doughty, an acquaintance of Hardy who facilitated the meeting between them contacted the cops after finding her naked body strangled in a bath tub in the motel.
The cops subsequently tracked Darren Vann to his home in Gary and arrested him. Police Chief Doughty disclosed that "During his initial arrest in the city of Gary, Mr. Vann told Hammond police officers at the scene that he's 'messed up' by committing the crime in Hammond and was surprised at how quickly he was located after the incident."
The suspect later divulged the locations of the bodies of his other victims in abandoned sites in Gary and Hammond.
Darren Vann has been charged with murder for his involvement in the death of Hardy, 19. Local cops say the modus operandi of the suspect's crimes, which could reach as far back as two decades ago, is likely to be quite similar.
Darren Vann had been convicted of sexual crimes before relocating to Indiana. It is currently unclear how long he has been in the state. On Sunday, the coroner of Lake County Merrilee Frey confirmed that one of the dead bodies is that of Anith Jones, who was reported missing earlier in the month. Forensic investigation is reportedly still ongoing to uncover the identity of the other bodies,
