David Renz Accused Of Killing Woman Raping Child In New York Mall Carjacking


Syracuse, NY – Authorities state 29-year-old David J. Renz, previously court ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device for child pornography possession, disabled and removed his anklet shortly before conducting a violent carjacking.

The carjacking occurred about 150 miles west of Albany, New York near Syracuse in Clay. Renz abducted 47-year-old Lori A. Bresnahan and her 10-year-old daughter in the parking lot at Great Northern Mall as they were leaving gymnastics class Thursday evening.

Investigators allege Renz bound the two, fatally stabbed Bresnahan multiple times, and raped the 10-year-old.

The girl was later found by a motorist. The driver called 911 and told dispatchers he witnessed a man fleeing the scene. Police sent officers and Renz was captured a short time later in a wooded area. The child was taken to the hospital for treatment.

It was unclear how the girl managed to escape or when during the abduction Bresnahan was killed. Investigators are still trying to piece together the timeline of events.

Renz had been charged in federal court January from a June arrest where he was caught in possession of child pornography on an encrypted hard drive by the FBI.

He eventually admitted to using the internet as a means to view and download 500 videos and 3,000 illicit pornographic images of children, and had done so for at least six years.

Renz was allowed to remain free because of a prosecutor requested court extension in his pending child porn case. Investigators required additional time to sort through the extensive evidence.

Without a prior criminal history, Renz was given homebound electronic monitoring in lieu of detainment so long as he remained home at night, off the internet, and away from schools, parks, and other areas populated with children.

Renz had been living with his mother after losing his supermarket job. Before Thursday’s attacks Renz cut his GPS tracker. The monitoring company failed to immediately detect the removal until Renz had already committed the crimes.

Following his Thursday night arrest, Renz claimed he was assaulted by other inmates at the Onondaga County Justice Center, and now has a broken nose. Renz was arraigned in court Friday on felony charges of murder, rape, and kidnapping. He is being held without bail.

[Image via Shutterstock]

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