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John Daley ReportingHe's accused of murdering Brigham Young University student Brooke Wilberger, but are there other victims? "A suspected serial killer, that's what prosecutors are calling Joel Patrick Courtney. He's the man charged with murder in the high-profile disappearance of BYU student Brooke Wilberger.
If you looked at the allegations in his indictment last August, it was clear that authorities believed Joel Courtney was a dangerous man with a history of violence against women. Now prosecutors have divulged more troubling information; he may be a "serial killer," and more charges may be coming.
Police in several states are now investigating Joel Courtney. In a recent court hearing prosecutors explained they suspect Courtney could be a serial killer.
Leith, Oregon Dept. of Justice: "The investigation remains active. The investigation has expanded, as I mentioned, developing information, and now seeks to identify the full scope of a suspected serial killer's crimes."
Courtney is charged with murdering Brooke Wilberger. The BYU student attending school in Oregon college has never been found. Courtney, who is 39, is currently being held in a New Mexico jail on unrelated rape charges. Prosecutors there have long wondered about other crimes.
Theresa Whatley, Senior Trial Attorney, New Mexico: "Should we take a look at this person and see where he has lived, where he has traveled and see if there's any unsolved cases?"
A grand jury in Corvallis, Oregon also continues to investigate Courtney. According to lawyers in the case, it issued a subpoena last week.
Leith: "The state anticipates the continuing grand jury investigation will result in at least one additional, and may likely result in, one additional indictment."
Courtney's trial in New Mexico is scheduled for March, then he could be extradited back to Oregon for the murder of Brooke Wilberger.
Prosecutors in both Oregon and New Mexico are being tight-lipped about this story. Much of the information in this case has been sealed by a judge and Oregon media outlets are asking for those documents to be released.
Meantime, we found no record of Courtney ever living in Utah and Utah authorities say they know of no case here connected to him.
