Lincoln Police give timeline of homicide, suspicious death

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Lincoln Police are investigating a suspicious death at a Motel 6 near the airport.

The death was uncovered after a man was killed on Wednesday.

SEE ALSO: Arrest made in Lincoln homicide; investigation leads police to another suspicious death

Police say William Wright, 55, admitted to them that he stabbed Ronald George, 61, in the neck three times.

During their investigation, another dead body was found outside the motel.

Wright was seen at the motel on Monday with another male who is thought to be the second victim, police say.

On Tuesday, Wright left the motel early in the morning and returned around noon.

According to their most recent timeline, police think the victim at the motel was killed on Monday between 2:30 and 8:30 p.m. They have not yet determined the relationship between the man and Wright.

An autopsy was performed on the body Thursday afternoon; however, police have not yet been able to identify the victim due to the body’s condition.

Police say they have reason to believe he was a “victim of a homicide,” though an official determination will be made after further testing from a pathologist.  It is believed that the victim was found in a different area than where he died.

Wright is believed to have eventually come into contact with another person of interest, who led him to George.  George was found dead about four hours later.

“What kicked off this murder, this series of murders, I don’t know,” Assistant Police Chief Jason Stille said. “But we aim to find that out.”

According to the arrest affidavit, Wright was arrested Wednesday evening after bragging “about committing murder” to others at the People’s City Mission.

Wright, George and the unidentified victim were homeless and known by staff at the shelter.

Pastor Tom Barber, the CEO of the shelter, said it was “baffling” to find out that these things happened, as there had never been any problems with them before.

“I knew them personally,” Barber said. “They had come into my office from time to time for counseling and various things, and we’re just flabbergasted. I think many of the guests here at our shelter are also very pensive, and they’re not sure why either. And as I’ve shared before, the homeless community is very tight, and these people were well known in the homeless community, all three of them, and so it was a tough thing.”

Barber thinks that a way to help the homeless and prevent events like this is to do more than just house people and instead support their mental health.

“There’s a lot of people with severe mental health problems and simply housing them, all it does is house the problem; it doesn’t solve anything,” Barber said. “And it gets them out of sight, but I don’t think that should be our goal, is making sure the homeless aren’t being seen. I think more time, more money and more focus should be put on mental health.”

Wright has been charged with second-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony in George’s death.  Police say it has not yet been determined if he will face any charges in the second man’s death.

There are two other people of interest who are providing the department with information.  Stille says they may face charges or be investigated further.

At this time, there is no information that connects Wright to any other missing people.

Since Wednesday, police have maintained that there is no threat to the public.

Lincoln Police continue to ask anyone who knew George or has information, photos or videos to call 402-441-6000 or CrimeStoppers at 402-475-3600.