By ZEKE BARLOW SPECIAL TO
THE ROANOKE TIMES

   What seemed to be another great lead in solving the mystery of who abducted Jennifer Short and killed her parents turned out like all the other tips investigators have pursued in the case.

    "It's a wash," Henry County Sheriff Frank Cassell said Sunday.

    So 11 days pass without answers in the slaying of Michael Short, 50, and Mary Short, 36, and the abduction of their 9-year-old daughter.

    A woman from Knoxville, Tenn., told FBI agents Saturday that after her boyfriend saw a segment on "America's Most Wanted" about the crime he claimed that he was responsible, Cassell said. She also told police he had newspaper clippings about the incident, Cassell said.

    Another man told police that he heard that man say the same thing on another occasion, so Knoxville authorities and FBI agents questioned the man and searched his home Saturday and Sunday, Cassell said.

    It was determined that the man was probably mentally unstable and he had no connection to the Oak Level crime. They are still investigating the man for possible connections with other crimes though, Cassell said.

    "It was one of those things that you think is very hot," but doesn't pan out, Cassell said. "We've had some of this type of stuff all along."

    Aside from chasing tips, investigators are just doing routine interviews locally, he said. He's still hopeful that one of these leads will take them to the person or people responsible for the crimes. The lack of evidence, motive and Jennifer's whereabouts continues to stump investigators, Cassell said.

    "It's extremely bizarre," he said.

    Cassell said investigators are still requesting help from the public.

    He asked that anyone who has seen acquaintances acting unusual or any suspicious behavior call them at (276) 638-8751 or (800) 843-5678. Jennifer, 9, is 4-foot 3-inch es tall with brown hair and brown eyes.

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