Des Moines police have identified a suspect vehicle in connection with last Thursday’s homicide that ended with a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 235. The victim, 41-year-old Michele Davis, was shot once in the head – likely by another motorist that passed her in afternoon rush hour traffic. Sergeant Vince Valdez says investigators are now looking for more information about a truck, indentified by several witnesses. He describes the suspect vehicle as a red Ford F-150, with an extended cab.
Davis’ car, a gold Mercury Sable, went out of control, ran into a concrete barrier and landed on its top. Investigators believe Davis knew the killer. They’re hoping other motorists who were in the area at the time will help them indentify the driver of the truck. Valdez says witnesses have reported seeing the red truck near Davis’ car prior to the crash.
Police are hoping even more witnesses will come forward to help them crack the case. "We want people to go back to the date that the homicide occured…go back and refresh their memories and see if they remember seeing Davis’ car and this truck," Valdez said at a Wednesday afternoon press conference. "They may have noticed something specific as to the way (the truck) was behaving." Anyone with information is asked to call Des Moines police at (515) 283-4869.
A memorial service for Davis was held Monday. Davis was a mother of three and grandmother of one. She worked at TMC Transportation, a trucking firm on Des Moines’ southwest side.