ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Detectives in St. Pete said a murder suspect who's now accused of two separate sexual assaults may have assaulted other victims, and they're asking anyone with information to come forward.
Tommy Stephens, 52, was arrested in March for the murder of Jona Waller, 34.
We talked with Waller's mother, Patricia Suggs-Walker, who said she feels relieved knowing other people are coming forward and wanting justice.
"I'm glad people are coming forward that's not afraid anymore to come forth. I feel the death of my daughter is bringing these people out because they, obviously, were afraid to say anything because he was out in the public and could still harm them," Suggs-Walker added.
Police said Stephens is also facing charges for two sexual assaults.
Police said the first assault took place on April 18, 2022, and the other on Feb. 16, 2023. The victims in both cases are adult women who knew Stephens, police said.
"It's pretty indicative that there's a pattern there... With three cases in close proximity to one another, it just shows there's probably somebody else out there. But, he did prey on people that were essentially the marginalized society," St. Pete Assistant Police Chief, Michael Kovacsev, said.
Detectives believe there are more victims and are asking anyone who had a "violent and/or forced sexual interaction" with Stephens to contact Detective Schwartz at 727-551-3277.
Stephens is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Waller, who was found stabbed to death in an alley south of the 200 block of 37th Street North. She was found on March 17, and Stephens was arrested on March 24.
Waller left behind two daughters, ages 3 and 5.
"To me, she didn't die in vein. That's how I'm looking at it. That the death is able to help someone else, you know, bring these people to help put him away," Suggs-Walker, said.
ABC Action News Mugshot Policy
When a mugshot is used
If the person is still on the loose and a potential threat to the community; if there is a good chance that showing the suspect would help identify additional victims or otherwise protect the public from a serious threat or if the crime or the suspect is of such a significant note that seeing them in a mugshot is in the greater public interest.
Using previous mugshots
Only if the story is specifically talking about that previous crime
We do not show mugshots of victims
This policy started in early 2021
