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Missing Jogger Found Dead In Same Area Of 'East-Side Rapist' Attacks

POSTED: Wednesday, June 11, 2008
UPDATED: 7:03 am EDT June 12, 2008

A missing 26-year-old University of Central Florida student who vanished during a jog was found dead in the same area where the "east-side rapist" has attacked.


Map Of Attacks -- Composite Images

Orange County sheriff's deputies said the body of Nicole Ganguzza was found near a post office located about a half mile from Blanchard Park, located off state Road 50 between Dean and Rouse roads, where she routinely went to exercise.

Investigators have attributed at least two attacks in the same area to the "east-side rapist." One of the attacks happened on the Econ Trail near Fryland and another in the area of Dean Road and River Park Boulevard.

"We are very familiar with those (cases) and going to look at those composites again," an investigator said. "We feel obviously that she was abducted during her run and subsequently murdered."

The "east-side rapist" prowls for female joggers and Ganguzza was an avid runner, investigators said.

Detectives would not say whether Ganguzza was raped and would not say how she was killed.

Clues Found

Detectives said Ganguzza called her parents at about 6 p.m. Tuesday night before a jog and then vanished.

Ganguzza's wallet and cell phone were located inside her car, a black Mitsubishi, which was found at the park.

A helicopter, airboats, bloodhounds and deputies on horseback were used in a search of the park and nearby areas. It is not known who found her body.

Police are checking surveillance video in the area in hopes of finding clues that would lead to an arrest.

Ganguzza, who was married with no children, was working on completing her Master's degree in marriage and family therapy and mental health counseling at UCF.

Residents Frightened, Frustrated

Some residents living near the area where the attacks have happened were frightened and angered after learning of the attack.

"I would advise girls to absolutely not jog alone," parent Linda Smith said.

"I hope they catch you," a resident said. "I hope they catch you. And I hate to say it but I hope (the attacker) rots in hell."

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.

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