Suicide not ruled out in prosecutor death

AP ^ | 3-12-04 | BRIAN WITTE

[Indy Pendance]

BALTIMORE -- Investigators are exploring the possibility that the stabbing death of a federal prosecutor in December was a random act of violence or even a suicide, a police official said Friday.

Steven McDaniel, troop commander for the Pennsylvania State Police, said at a news conference that investigators are looking at every possible scenario in the death of Jonathan Luna, a 38-year-old assistant U.S. attorney.

Luna's body was found face-down in a creek near Lancaster, Pa., on Dec. 4. The married father of two had been stabbed 36 times with what was believed to be a penknife and was left to drown. His car was found idling nearby.

Investigators hoping someone might step forward with information released an 11-point timeline showing Luna's circuitous route from Baltimore to the creek. Luna's debit card was used at several stops along the way.

Also, the FBI announced a $100,000 reward for information about Luna's death.

McDaniel did not elaborate on the possibility of suicide.

Family members and friends have said they believe Luna's death was connected to his job. He had prosecuted drug dealers, bank robbers and child molesters.

But investigators have said the have found no links to Luna's work. Officials have been looking into his personal life, asking questions about a possible girlfriend or financial problems.

[lelio]

The married father of two had been stabbed 36 times with what was believed to be a penknife and was left to drown.

A suicide? Is the Simpson's Chief Wiggum on the case?

[Martin Tell]

Yeah. He also shot himself 45 times in the back from a range of 10 yards, pausing twice to reload.

[cherry]

baffling case....

if I was paranoid, and conspiratorial, I could guess that this case is so embarrassing to the gummit that they want it covered up quick...

afterall, wasn'' Foster also a suicide...he had the good luck of at least bringing a gun ( didn't he?)

[mewzilla]

And he bought two sodas because the prospect of doing himself in made him really, really thirsty?

[Lion Den Dan]

"Stabbed 36 times with a pen knife" smacks of the same cover crap that was used at Ft. Knox, KY a few years ago. A reserve component Captain out of NY was stabbed to death with a whole bunch of serious puncture wounds. By Golly, the Government decided it was a suicide but not one bit of evidence suggested the man, a fire fighter in civillian life, was suicidal. It looked to many of us local workers that the Captain uncovered a homosexual liaison in his command and was killed to keep it quiet.

[billorites]

Accident, we think.

[Arkinsaw]

Shot himself in the back 13 times with a composite bow at long range.