NEW HANOVER COUNTY -- Police are calling a local cab driver a person of interest in two unsolved murders.

According to investigators, witnesses saw a taxi van in the area along Carolina Beach Road where two sets of human remains were found.

Officials are waiting on DNA results for confirmation, but believe they are the bones of Allison Foy and Angela Rothen.

Foy was last seen in July 2006 getting into a taxi at Junction Pub.

The warrant says the man sought for questioning looks a lot like the man in the sketch to the right, drawn from descriptions given by witnesses of a man spotted in a taxi van with a green tarp draped over it to block the windows.

As part of the investigation, police searched the home of the taxi driver, but have not arrested him or officially named him as a suspect in the weeks since that search took place.

The potential suspect had already been arrested for kidnapping, raping, and assaulting a prostitute.  She says he held her at knife point.  He ended up pleading guilty to lesser charges.

Investigators also spoke to several other prostitutes who say the man is known to be violent.

In the warrant, police allege he knew both women.  They say he was a regular at the bar where Foy was last seen, and often picked up prostitutes. 

Police say the other victim, Angela Rothen, had a history of prostitution.

The investigation also revealed the man is familiar with the place where the bones were found.

Now, former taxi driver Timothy Iannone and his wife Susan are speaking about the investigation they say has torn their lives apart.

"When the police came I was stunned, but I understand they have to do what they have to do," said Timothy.

His wife says what led police to their doorstep was a terrible mistake made by her husband, that he has already paid for.

In August 2007, Timothy was arrested for raping, beating, and kidnapping a prostitute.

The 47-year-old plead guilty to a lesser charge and is out on probation.

He says his hands aren't responsible for the two sets of bones found off Carolina Beach Road in April.

"I'm very upset, something I did a long time ago. Now, there is a media circus and lots of speculation," said Timothy.

The warrant also makes reference to a sketch drawn from descriptions given by wintesses of a man spotted in the area where the bones were found.

The Iannones admit there is some resemblance, but say its too generic to prove anything.

Police are staying tight lipped about this investigation, and have not named Timothy as a suspect.

 

Stay with WECT and wect.com for more information as this story develops.

 

Reported by Sarah Warlick and Kelli O'Hara

Return to Homepage