More Detectives Assigned to Case of Slain Student

The number of detectives assigned to investigate the slaying of San Diego State University student Cara Evelyn Knott has been doubled but police still have no suspects.

“Leads yes, suspects no,” homicide Sgt. Ted Armijo said Tuesday of the investigation. Armijo said the number of detectives on the case has been increased from four to eight.

Armijo described support given police by the public in the investigation as “overwhelming.” He said police are receiving from 50 to 75 calls a day from persons hoping to provide helpful information.

Knott’s clothed body was found about 8:30 a.m. Sunday on Mercy Road where it is crossed by Old Highway 15, which parallels Interstate 15 south of Poway Road. She had failed to return home to El Cajon the night before after calling her parents to tell them she was about to drive home from her boyfriend’s home in Escondido.

A coroner’s report said the 20-year old student died of strangulation.

Armijo said a white leather jacket the Knott was wearing the night she was killed is missing.

Sam Knott, the slain student’s father, met for about an hour Tuesday with Police Chief Bill Kolender. Knott discussed his proposal to develop a volunteer search force for future cases in which police are not able to immediately investigate.

Knott also proposed that special training and resources be given to police dispatchers so that they could handle calls on missing persons.

Anyone with information regarding the murder is asked to call the Crime Stoppers at 235-TIPS or homicide detectives at 531-2836.