Reason First: The Route 40 Killer Part IV- Blue Fibers Aid Cops Because of Heroine in Disguise

Shoulder-length brown hair was a draw for Route 40 Killer, Steven Pennell. His first three victims fit the same physical profile, with this signature feature being most obvious. His fourth victim, Kathleen Meyer, was no different.

Though her body was never found, her blood was, in trace amounts in the blue van identified as suspicious by one of the heroines of this particular story, officer Renee Lano.

She donned the short brown wig, the sweatpants and t-shirt similar to the victims and walked right up to the blue van that had been on the radar of Delaware State and New Castle County Police departments. Nearly shaking but holding her composure long enough to keep this suspect intrigued, officer Lano led Pennell on with her feminine wiles. While refusing to enter the vehicle and denying she was a cop, Lano kept the focus on conversation. This presented a challenge. Pennell just wanted to lure her in not for sex but to claim his next murder victim. Lano kept her wits. Her strong will and intelligence paired together to keep her safe. Even as cars streamed by canceling out the receiver in her purse, she c kept Pennell talking. She did everything in her power to maintain focus and try to get this guy to spill his guts like a Phillies blunt.

In case any danger arose, detective Hedrick had dropped Lano off in an unmarked vehicle parked a few yards away. Lano tested the receiver by asking Hedrick to beep his horn. Indeed he lightly tapped the horn to acknowledge her message to him.

Lano’s journey started as a graduate of Delaware Technical and Community College in criminal justice/police science. In the beginning, she prepared for a communications role in law enforcement. Lano would enter the New Castle County Police Academy and graduate in 1988, one half of the two women who progressed to the pros that year.

So her background had prepared her for moments like these. Hedrick hand picked her to do this undercover work. Her courage showed through as she used her brains to tackle this slippery opponent. After a few more bits of false information about his name (he said Jim) and that he was 34 (he was 30 at the time). Lano did everything in her power to keep the focus on the van. She asked about the funky blue carpeted interior. Forensics specialists discovered blue material on DiMauro’s body. She asked him why he had so much blue installed into his van. With his reply essentially that it pertained to work, she felt a little more at ease. She had to keep him running his mouth. But then he veered off into wanting sex from her. Deftly, she countered with a discussion about how he’d been hitting the skids with his spouse. Always on point, Lano kept the dialogue flowing. She did this until it took twists and turns and she finally broke off the entire talk. She made up a tale about how she had taken too many street drugs and was “outta there.” The blue van skidded off into the night.

She reported back to Hedrick. The discussion dealt with how eerie the guy was. Lano shook minutes after her encounter with Pennell.

And it wasn’t “women’s intuition” or “dumb luck” that Lano expressed her heroism. It was the integration of all of the elements to form an ideal sketch of this person of interest (at the time). Lano’s smarts and ability to keep Pennell focused on yammering was part of her flair and rational capacity. By thinking through all the ways that she could communicate with him, she drew more and more information out of him. The information about the van alone should stand as an accomplishment in police work.

Lano should be hailed as a heroine for her excellence in the line of duty.