Investigators Hold Out Possibility of Suicide in Federal Prosecutor's Death

AP ^ | Mar. 12, 2004

[nuconvert]

Investigators Hold Out Possibility of Suicide in Federal Prosecutor's Death

Mar 12, 2004

By Brian Witte/ Associated Press Writer

BALTIMORE (AP) - 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 a 10-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.

Investigators also confirmed that a toll ticket with Luna's blood on it was part of the evidence. The ticket was obtained when Luna's car entered the Pennsylvania Turnpike at 2:47 a.m. Dec. 4. It was returned to a toll booth attendant at 4:04 a.m., when his car left the turnpike.

Investigators said they were looking to fill two gaps in their timeline: between 4:04 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., when Luna's body was found; and earlier that morning, between the time his debit card was used at an ATM and the time he got on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Kevin Perkins, special agent in charge of the FBI in Maryland and Delaware, wouldn't comment on whether there was evidence of anyone leaving the area where Luna's body was found.

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.

[nuconvert]

"stabbed 36 times with what was believed to be a penknife and was left to drown."

Suicide?

[martin_fierro]

stabbed 36 times with what was believed to be a penknife and was left to drown

He was highly motivated.

[dirtboy]

"stabbed 36 times with what was believed to be a penknife and was left to drown." Suicide?

I doubt it, since this went down in Pennsylvania, not Arkansas...

[BunnySlippers]

•

[cajungirl]

If he suicided it would rank right up there with that CIA guy, remember back in the 70's, who shot himself in the back of the head in a boat in the Chesapeake. And Vince Foster.

[Meredith]

You're exactly right. How do you stab yourself 36 times.....to death????

[speekinout]

He had many "nicks" - not exactly stabs. And the cause of death was drowning, not the wounds.
His behavior was really odd, so it's no surprise that investigators aren't ruling anything out.

[Ophiucus]

"stabbed 36 times with what was believed to be a penknife and was left to drown."
Suicide?

Not only that, but blood on the toll ticket? After driving around using his debit card between 1-2am?

What did he do - go bar hopping and started stabbing himself during the boring drive home?

[Meredith]

Knowing that and staying with the [implausible theory of suicide] that could be a kind of drug induced psychotic reaction. Or, maybe someone wanted it to look that way.

[nuconvert]

"What did he do - go bar hopping and started stabbing himself during the boring drive home?"

LoL

[Ophiucus]

He had many "nicks" - not exactly stabs. And the cause of death was drowning, not the wounds. His behavior was really odd, so it's no surprise that investigators aren't ruling anything out.

That would make more sense if they are nicks and not stabs as reported. However, lying face down in a creek would be an extremely unusual method of suicide. (How deep is the creek anyways?)

A major point against suicide, beside the number of stabs or cuts, is that the car was idling. The only time I have ever been involved in a suicide case with an idling car is if it was a CO attempt in a garage. Otherwise, the car is off - seems to be part of the closing behavior of suicides.

[speekinout]

This really is a strange case. None of the cuts were serious, and he seems to have had at least one when he passed the toll booth, when he was alone. He was also fairly far from home, at a late hour. What was he doing there?
It could have been suicide. People who do that often behave in strange ways.
I hope they do figure out what happened. I could believe any option with some more evidence.

[SedVictaCatoni]

Otherwise, the car is off - seems to be part of the closing behavior of suicides.

Well, most people just instinctively turn off their car when they get out. It's like when death row doctors swab prisoners' arms before giving them a lethal injection - it's not necessary, it just doesn't occur to them not to.