Homeless woman's killer left few clues in Hill District
Nearly 12 years ago, the body of a woman was found on a set of city stairs in the Hill District, and police detectives are still trying to determine who killed her.
A man walking down the steps in the 2300 block of Webster Avenue spotted the body at 9:15 a.m. Nov. 13, 1996. He ran to a nearby market and called 911.
Detectives found Lorraine Denise Brock, 31, lying face-down with her knees bent underneath, Pittsburgh police Detective J.R. Smith said.
Brock was wearing a brown leather jacket, brown jeans, a red and gray sweater, brown socks and brown leather shoes, Smith said. Her jacket was pulled up, revealing several bruises on her lower back. Her right hand and fingers had defensive wounds, Smith said, and her hands were tied behind her back with the straps of a brown purse. The purse was missing.
An autopsy showed Brock died of three stab wounds -- two punctured her heart and one punctured her liver, Smith said.
Police said Brock was a prostitute who had a history of drug abuse. She spent the evening before her body was discovered at a friend's home on Bedford Avenue until 8 p.m., police said.
Another witness reported seeing her walking on Warren Court in the Hill District about 10:30 p.m., Smith said. She didn't have a home and stayed with friends or her parents in the Hill District, Smith said.
Brock, who was nicknamed "Rainey," was known to frequent the Elmore Square area and the Cornfield Bar on Webster Avenue.
Police interviewed dozens of people but weren't able to identify any suspects or determine a motive in her killing.
Additional Information:
Cold Case Files
Every Monday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and local police publish details of unsolved homicides. Anyone with information about the case featured today can call the main Pittsburgh Bureau of Police number, 412-323-7800, or Detectives J.R. Smith and Scott Evans or Sgt. Timothy Westwood at 412-323-7161. Callers may remain anonymous. An anonymous tip sheet is available at any city police station, or can be downloaded and dropped off at any station.
