When three women were discovered dead in wooded Forest Park in Portland, Oregon, in less than one month, police wasted no time forming a task force that would soon corner the women's murderer.

Lilla Moler, 28, was the first to be found on May 7, 1999, followed the next day by Stephanie Russell, 26, who's body was located only 80 yeards from where Moler was found. The third grisly discovery was the corpse of Tomorrow Ison, 17, found on June 2.

All three women were prostitutes and drug addicts, were found nude and strangled, and bore a striking resemblance to one another.

The Forest Park Task Force went proactive, sending out an undercover officer who fit the killer's physical preferences and on July 7 began to focus on Todd Alan Reed, a convicted sex offender who had been in prison for three years following a 1992 sexual assault during which he attempted to strangle a prostitute.

After Reed approached the undercover officer police began surveillance and obtained a DNA sample saved from the 1992 assault. It matched samples found at the Moler and Russell dumpsites and Reed was quickly arrested and charged with both murders plus the slaying of Ison as well.

Reed plead guilty to all three slayings February of 2001 and was sentenced to life in prison with no parole. The convicted serial murderer is also a suspect in several other slayings including the Gresham killings of Mindi Thomas, 12, and Jennifer Tchir, 15, in 1987. Both girls were last seen with Reed's ex-wife and were discovered strangled and dumped in wooded areas. DNA tests are rumored to link Reed to the two killings.

Police announce arrest in Oregon serial killings

AP News Service

July 19, 1999

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) _ Police have arrested a produce worker on charges he strangled three homeless women, killings that frightened transients throughout the city.

Todd Alan Reed, 32, was arrested at Rinella Produce late Sunday and charged with aggravated murder.

"There's a certain fear and undercurrent when something like this is going on,'' said police spokeswoman Sgt. Cheryl Kanzler. "Now, the community and the police bureau can breathe a sigh of  relief.''

Reed is accused of killing Lilla Moler, 28; Stephanie Russell, 26; and Alexandria Ison, 17. 

The investigation will continue, since police are still trying to determine if there are more victims or evidence in Forest Park, the sprawling wooded recreation area where the bodies were found that is heavily used by joggers, bicyclists and hikers. 

The three victims lived on the street. They were drug users, and two were involved in prostitution. 

"It was a certain lifestyle this man was targeting,'' Kanzler said. 

Police would not say exactly what led to Reed's arrest or what evidence they had on him. Officers searched his house and car. 

Fred Pittman, manager of Rinella Produce, said Reed minded his own business and was a good worker. 

"It's a shocker to us, of course,'' Pittman said.