Leah Hickman Was Strangled, Police Say

A Marshall University student who was found in a crawlspace in the basement of her apartment house was strangled to death by someone she knew and someone who knew the layout of her apartment, investigators said. Leah Hickman was killed Dec. 14, but her body was not found until a week later.

Police did not release information about the cause of death until a new conference last week. They said they do not believe her murder was a random crime; she was killed by someone she knew.

"We feel strongly that the person(s) responsible for this crime were familiar with Leah and the layout of the apartment building," Capt. Steve Hall said.

Evidence collected from the crime scene has been tested by the state crime lab, but more extensive testing is scheduled. Further testing will be conducted at FBI labs, investigators said.

Last week's press conference marked the first time investigators had released any information at all in the case since a Christmas Eve news conference, leading to speculation in the media that they had few clues and no suspects.

But Huntington Police Chief Skip Holbrook said the investigation had "cast a wide net" and was being conducted by multiple agencies. There is no reward being offered in the Hickman case.

See Also:
Hickman Strangled to Death, Police Say

Earlier Articles:
Missing Marshal Student's Body Found in Basement
Police Seek Information on Missing Marshall Student

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