West Allis police chief discusses suitcase deaths

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The police chief in West Allis says it seems like there were clear warning signs about a former police officer now suspected the deaths of two women whose bodies were found in suitcases dumped along a rural road about 50 miles away.

But Chief Charles Padgett says the signs of coming violence are only clear in hindsight.

Padgett was a detective when Steven Zelich was forced to resign following a 2001 internal investigation that determined Zelich has been stalking women while on duty.

Padgett says the violent end to Zelich’s “very unique” story has saddened his department.

He says he and other officers keep thinking about the families of the women who died. He says he feels for them and the loss they are trying to deal with.