Indiana man arrested for 1988 rape, murder of 8-year-old girl after years of taunting community, police

A suspected killer in Indiana who menaced the community for years by leaving threatening notes was arrested Sunday for the rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl in 1988.

John Miller agreed to speak with police in Fort Wayne and made incriminating statements about abducting, assaulting and killing April Tinsley, according to an affidavit released by the Allen County prosecutor. Investigators say they have DNA evidence linking Miller to the girl.

When cops asked the 59-year-old Miller if he knew why they were at his Grabill home, he responded, "April Tinsley," according to the Indianapolis Star.

April's body was found in a ditch 20 miles from her Fort Wayne neighborhood three days after she disappeared in April of 1988.

As investigators struggled to solve her murder over the years, they were taunted by messages left by the alleged killer. "I kill 8-year-old April Marie Tinsley. I will kill again," read one message on a barn door in 1990, according to the Star.

The suspected murderer left notes, photos of a man's partial naked body and used condoms on girls' bicycles and in a mailbox in 2004, according to the newspaper.

"Hi honey. I been watching you," read one note released by the FBI, according to the Star. "I am the same person that kidnapped, raped and killed April Tinsely. You are my next victim."

A recent search of Miller's garbage led police to a DNA match. He would confess to raping and killing April. He is being held in Allen County and was expected to appear in court on Monday.

With News Wire Services