A manhunt is under way for Resendez-Ramirez, bottom, who is described by the FBI as 'very dangerous'

June 18, 1999
Web posted at: 7:01 p.m. EDT (2301 GMT)

From Pierre Thomas
CNN Justice Department Correspondent

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The FBI is planning to place Rafael Resendez-Ramirez, the man suspected of being the so-called "Railway Killer," on its Ten Most Wanted list, possibly as early as next week, CNN has learned.

FBI officials said Resendez-Ramirez may be implicated in six killings -- five in Texas and one in Kentucky. CNN has learned that Resendez-Ramirez is also suspected in as many as 16 other murders, from Miami to Detroit to Phoenix.

In the six killings -- one in Lexington, Kentucky and the other five in the Houston and San Antonio areas -- all of the victims were beaten or stabbed to death not far from railroad tracks. The first of those murders was in 1997.

FBI officials fear the killing spree may be intensifying. Five killings have occured during the last six months, with two on June 4 and June 5.

Sources told CNN that law enforcement officials strongly suspect the killer was involved in the murder of two Illinois residents this week.

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