northwest Indiana

Suspected Serial Killer Moved to County Jail as More Charges Pending

Darren Deon Vann was charged Monday with killing 19-year-old Afrikka Hardy

A man charged with one count of murder after seven bodies were found in Northwest Indiana over the weekend was moved Monday night to the Lake County (Indiana) Jail as charges were pending in other cases and as authorities continued the task of identifying the victims.

Darren Deon Vann, 43, of Gary, was charged with one count of murder, as well as murder in the perpetration of a robbery and robbery resulting in serious bodily harm, all related to the death of 19-year-old Afrikka Hardy.

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Vann was transported from the Hammond Police Department to the county facility at about 8:30 p.m. Monday, an official told NBC Chicago. It was unclear Tuesday morning when he would appear in court.

Though Vann hasn't yet been charged in the deaths of the other six women, Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. told reporters Vann is "what I would label a serial killer."

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Aside from Hardy, three of the victims were publicly identified by midday Monday: 35-year-old Anith Jones, 28-year-old Teairra Batey, and 36-year-old Christine Williams. Hammond Police Chief John Doughty did not rule out the possibility that the investigation being done by several agenies would reveal more victims.

"It could go back as far as 20 years, based on some statements we have," Doughty told reporters during a Monday press conference.

Court records show Vann has been a registered sex offender in Texas since a September 2009 conviction.

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