Deep Dive
Why did the Curia family move from Kenya to the United States in 2001?
The Curia family moved from Kenya to the United States in 2001 primarily because Jane's husband had tragically passed away and she was strongly against female genital mutilation, which was occurring in Kenya at the time. She and her late husband were vocal opponents of this practice, and she wanted to protect her daughters from it.
What was the condition of the two survivors, Jeremy and PK, after the attack?
Jeremy, Jane's 8-year-old son, and PK, her 11-year-old nephew, were both severely injured but managed to survive. Jeremy was airlifted to a children's hospital in Atlanta and listed in critical condition, while PK was taken to the hospital by ambulance and was not listed as critical. Both spent weeks in a medically induced coma and eventually made full recoveries.
Why did the police suspect that Jane Curia knew her attacker?
The police suspected that Jane Curia knew her attacker because there were no signs of forced entry into the home. The back door was unlocked and partially open, and there was evidence that Jane and the attacker had sat at the kitchen table for an unknown period before the attack. This suggested that Jane had let the attacker inside and was not surprised by their presence.
What forensic evidence did the police find that could potentially help solve the case?
The police found a blood-soaked towel in a ditch about two miles away from the crime scene the day after the murders. DNA was extracted from the towel, but it did not match Jane, her children, Jeremy, PK, or any known suspects. The DNA profile belongs to an unknown individual, and the police believe the towel is likely connected to the murders.
Why did the police consider a Kenyan tribe called the Mungiki as a potential suspect in the murders?
A family friend who sometimes helped Jane around the house suggested that the Mungiki tribe, a violent gang from Kenya, might be involved in the murders. However, the police found no evidence linking the Mungiki to the crime, and the gang was virtually non-existent at the time. This led the police to consider the tip as a potential attempt to mislead the investigation.
What was the significance of the cell phone records in the investigation?
The cell phone records showed that a man, who was a family friend and had been calling Jane's cell phone 10 to 12 times a day for a month leading up to the murders, never called her on the day of the murders. This raised suspicions, as he had a close relationship with Jane and no alibi for the time of the murders. The police questioned him multiple times but found no forensic evidence linking him to the crime.
Why did the police consider the possibility of multiple killers?
The police considered the possibility of multiple killers because five victims were bludgeoned to death, which would be a significant challenge for one person to accomplish. However, if multiple people were involved, it would be harder for them to keep the crime a secret, and one of them might eventually come forward. Despite this, no evidence has been found to support the multiple killer theory.
What was the status of Jane Curia's asylum application at the time of the murders?
Jane Curia had applied for asylum to stay in the United States, but her application was denied shortly before the murders. She was in the process of appealing the decision when she died. It is unclear whether her asylum status had any connection to the murders, but some speculate it could be a factor.
- Five members of the Curia family were attacked in their home, resulting in three deaths and two critical injuries.
- The family seemed to have no known enemies.
- The case remains unsolved despite years of investigation.