Omaha task force probes 4 slayings 5 years apart

A federal, state and local task force is investigating the possibility that the killings of a Creighton University professor and his wife may be linked to the unsolved 2008 stabbing deaths of an 11-year-old boy and his family housekeeper, Omaha police announced Monday.

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer told a news conference that authorities are "exploring very hard" the possibility that the killings of Dr. Roger Brumback and his wife, Mary, are linked to the unsolved deaths of Thomas Hunter and 57-year-old Shirlee Sherman.

Schmaderer would not elaborate on any connections, but acknowledged a tie to Creighton University. Roger Brumback was a pathology professor and colleague of Thomas' parents at the university's school of medicine. Thomas Hunter's father, Dr. William Hunter, works in the same department as Brumback did and the boy's mother, Dr. Claire Hunter, works in the cardiology department.

"The Omaha police department is very concerned about these homicides and whether or not they may be related," Schmaderer said. "The safety of our citizens and visitors to Omaha is our top priority, and we will do everything in our power to bring justice and closure to the families and to the Omaha community."

The chief said authorities have been touch with William Hunter as well as the Brumback family, but declined to detail any of the discussions.

The Associated Press left telephone and email messages seeking comment from the Hunters on Monday. Messages also were left for at numbers listed for the Brumbacks' adult children.

Authorities have released little information about the Brumback slayings, including how the couple died. He called it a "heinous crime" and one that's prompted uneasiness among residents, including faculty at the university who met with authorities Monday.

"Since May 14, the Omaha community has understandably been on edge," he said.

Messages left for staff at Creighton's pathology department were directed to university officials, which declined to comment about the case Monday. The school issued a statement last week calling the deaths a "terrible tragedy."

Schmaderer asked residents to be cautious of suspicious activity, including vehicles parked out of place in neighborhoods. He said to err on the side of caution and call 911. He encouraged residents to share information and keep an eye out for each other.

The chief said the task force formed shortly after the Brumbacks' bodies were found and includes more than a dozen police detectives as well as FBI and State Patrol personnel.

___

Rodriguez reported from Des Moines, Iowa.