Steve Jefferson/Eyewitness News
Metro homicide detectives are looking for answers from DNA in a death investigation. A self-proclaimed serial killer already charged in two deaths says he's responsible for a truck stop murder in Indiana. The victim is a mother of two not seen since July 2007.
Metro homicide detectives are investigating if Carma Purpura is a murder victim. Trucker Bruce Mendenhall claims he killed Purpura. Detectives will use DNA to prove or discount his statement.
"DNA has been taken from the parents that is going to be compared to clothing found in the suspects Mendenhall's truck," said Sgt. Matthew Mount, IMPD.
Purpura's family owns and operates an organic farm in Clayton.
Nashville Police arrested Mendenhall July 12th after finding bloody clothing in the cab of his semi. He told officers he murdered six women in several states, two of them from Indiana.
Mendenhall claims he met Carma Purpura at a State Route 37 & I-465 truck stop. The news comes as no surprise to trucker Steven Qualls. "Being in a truck as a driver or just working around a truck stop is a dangerous lifestyle now because you do have some idiots out here," he said.
Although investigators are still trying to confirm Mendenhall's story using DNA, some truckers say his story is believable based on their experiences at truck stops.
"No matter what the issue, if he wanted to kill women, he could have found them to kill them out here with no problem," said Qualls.
Mendenhall remains behind bars in the Davidson County Jail in Tennessee.
Carma's parents released this statement saying, "...we look forward to results of the DNA tests, having a memorial service, and getting some closure. As for Mr. Mendenhall, he is obviously a very disturbed person."
The DNA will answer a lot of questions for Purpura's family and police "not only in helping us confirm our suspect but also help us to rule out individuals which were not at the scene," said Sgt. Mount.
Regardless of the DNA results, the 56-year-old trucker faces murder charges in two states.
Carma's 16-year-old daughter is with family.They are working to get custody of her one-year-old son.
As Mendenhall goes back to court in Nashville in couple of weeks, police hope to have those DNA results much sooner.
Call 262-TIPS with any information relating to this case.
