The convicted sex offender charged with murdering Chelsea King is under investigation for other attempted kidnappings in Southern California today, ABC news said.
Police found a body Tuesday in a shallow grave on the shore of Lake Hodges, and believe it may be that of the 17-year-old King, CBS news said, but the medical examiner's office has yet to confirm the allegation.
Gardner remained in jail today in San Diego County after pleading not guilty to the murder of King, CBS said.
Police told CBS news, John Albert Gardner III may be responsible for three other crimes involving young women and are reexamining cases, ABC said.
The investigation came after a 16-year-old girl recognized Gardner's face from news reports. The girl told her family she ran after a man tried to force her into his car on Oct. 28, 2009, in Lake Elisnore, ABC said.
The girl described the suspect as a man 30 to 35 years old with a squarish jaw, brown eyes and a blond crew cut. This description appeared similar to Gardner, who is 30 and has a closely shaven scalp, ABC said.
Gardner has already been connected to the December 2009 attack of a 23-year-old graduate student Candice Moncayo. The attack occurred on the trail where Chelsea King died, ABC said.
Gardner pleaded not guilty to Moncayo's assault and intent to commit rape, CBS said.
Police also believe Gardner may be responsible for the 14-year-old Amber Dubois's disappearance, who vanished in February 2009 while on her way to school in Escondido, CBS said.
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