CHESTERFIELD, S.C.,None — A memorial was held for the Chesterfield woman who was raped and killed in a random attack, according to investigators.
Investigators said Thursday the suspect may have been following another woman before abducting Hope Melton.
Police said they were at a loss after watching the surveillance tapes and focusing on 23-year-old Nickolas Miller. They said he appeared calm and casual just minutes before allegedly abducting, raping and killing Melton.
"Why? We don't know," said Chesterfield County Sheriff Sam Parker.
While Parker said Miller's motive might never be known, investigators now strongly believe Melton was not his first target.
Deputies confirmed they were following leads that Miller might have been following a different woman on the morning of the murder.
"We have located a woman of interest that possibly he was behind, but we're still in the process of confirming whether he or she might have had any association at all together," Parker said.
Sources said Miller likely gave up pursuing the other woman because she drove into the city of Monroe, a heavily populated and busy area.
Instead, Miller apparently drove back to the town of Jefferson, where there were fewer people around, bought his beer and targeted Melton when their paths crossed at Jack's Convenience Store.
At this point, investigators have not confirmed that Miller tried to attack someone else before Melton, but they did say it appears to be a more realistic and significant lead.
They said they have also had a series of other false leads and rumors that have not panned out in their investigation.
"We've been able to take those locations (and searched them) last night with negative results," Parker said.
Before Miller's arrest, he shared a home with his grandmother, but no one answered the door there. Other relatives said Miller is the father of a young girl, but were not able to provide any insight into the crime which he is accused.
Previous Stories: December 29, 2011: Hundreds attend vigil for slain Lancaster Co. woman December 28, 2011: Surveillance video shows last moments of woman's life December 27, 2011: Police: Man beat SC woman to death in random attack
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