New Sketch Released of Upstate Serial Killer

Cherokee County (WSPA) - Investigators in Cherokee County have released a new sketch of the man they say has killed four people.

Officers confirmed Friday morning that they believe the killing of 48-year-old Stephen Tyler of Gaffney is connected. Tyler was shot inside his business Thursday night. His 15-year-old daughter was also shot.

The daughter was taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Cherokee County Sheriff Bill Blanton said Friday that he believes they're investigating the work of a serial killer, based on the FBI's definition of that term.

Thursday, officials called the suspect dangerous and unpredictable.

The sheriff says there appears to be no connection between the victims in the three separate shooting incidents. He says his officers have a tremendous amount of physical evidence that has positively proved the homicides were committed by the same man.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office found two victims--a mother and daughter--dead inside a house on 114 Buck Shoals Road at Highway 11, between Chesnee and Gaffney.

The victims had been bound before they were shot. Coroner Dennis Fowler confirms the victims are 83 year old Hazel Linder and 50 year old Gena Linder Parker.

Anderson County School District 5 Superintendent Betty Bagley tells WSPA-TV that Gena Linder Parker was a teacher at the Calhoun Academy of Arts.

Parker's husband, Scott, is the former head football coach at North Greenville College and T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson and currently is an assistant principal at Ninety-Six High School and an assistant football coach at Newberry College.

A sign with "Hay For Sale" was displayed outside the residence, just a few miles away from where a similar murder occurred Saturday. Prominent peach farmer Kline Cash was found dead at his home after a man wanting to buy some hay came to his house earlier in the day.

The Cherokee County Sheriff says a tremendous task force has been assembled to try and catch the suspect. A sketch of the man has also been released.

The suspect is described as having salt and pepper colored hair, and stands about 6 feet 2 inches tall.

Police say the suspect could be driving a 1991-1994 Ford Explorer Sport, that's gray or champagne in color.

This isn't the first time this area has been terrorized by a killing spree. In the 1960's a serial killer dubbed the Gaffney Strangler murdered four women before he was caught.