Police Looking For 'Person Of Interest' In 3-Year-Old Murder Case

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Raleigh Police Department released new information Monday about a person of interest in one of its biggest cold cases.

Three years after the rape and murder of 23-year-old Stephanie Bennett, investigators said that they are looking for a man in his late 20s or early 30s, about 6-feet tall, who sometimes walked a dog and sometimes wore sunglasses and a hooded sweatshirt.

Police said this man was seen in the area near Bennett's North Raleigh apartment several months prior to Bennett's murder and has not been seen since.

"He was sometimes seen walking with a medium to large dark-colored dog, but at other times, like the glasses, he was seen without the dog," said Lt. John Lynch of the Raleigh Police Department.

Police found Bennett's body in her apartment on May 21, 2002.

On the third anniversary of her death, police opened a 48-hour tip line, hoping the public would phone in tips that might help solve the case. The police department said the tip line was working, but did not say exactly how many calls it has received.

"We received dozens of calls -- interesting calls," Lynch said. "Each one of the tips that's coming in is being treated seriously. Investigators are following up on each and every one of these."

Bennett's father, Carmen Bennett, is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to a suspect.

"We continue to ask for anybody's help that we can get, because hopefully this won't have to happen to another young lady," Bennett said.

The total reward is now up to $110,000 between the family and the state putting up money.

Anyone with information may call the Raleigh Police Department at 919-890-3335.