Documents Allude To Existence Of Video Of Saunders' Murder

It was a murder so horrific that several of the case files were withheld from the public. But on Wednesday, one of the documents just released reveals personal information about a witness and the possibility of a video recording of the torture and killing of Carina Saunders.

Wednesday, July 11th 2012, 7:47 pm

By: News 9

Documents Allude To Existence Of Video Of Saunders' Murder

Prosecutors wanted the information in a recent search warrant to be kept under wraps. In fact, the Oklahoma County District Attorney's office has asked the court to seal several records in the case in order to protect witnesses and nine months of investigation.

Bethany Police tell News 9 the release of the document doesn't change any of that.

At first glance, the search warrant reveals the possibility of a video of Carina Saunders' murder, but police say if you read on the warrant is actually tied to a drug case.

Bethany police told News 9 the witness named in the search warrant did not provide any viable or credible information to further the investigation in the murder of Carina Saunders, the 19 year old found dismembered and stuffed in a duffle bag back in October 2011.

Police say a tip led them to the Studio Six Motel to talk with a woman who allegedly had video of Saunders' murder, but officers only uncovered illegal drug activity.

"The fact that they were led to that particular spot by a person of interest in this other case is not necessarily relevant to this search warrant," said Criminologist Howard Kurtz.

Kurtz says the warrant shows investigators were not searching the hotel for a video, but instead were looking for evidence of drug deals. Bethany police confirmed they do not have video of the murder or evidence it actually exists and say the woman listed in the warrant is not a witness.

In fact, police say investigators obtained a warrant to arrest 37-year-old Luis Ruiz for the murder of Carina Saunders days before the woman claimed to have information in the case.

News 9 found out investigators got the arrest warrant for Ruiz on June 27 and did not make contact with the woman at the hotel until July 2 and then searched the hotel room the next day.

Police say the woman is just one of 80 witnesses that have been questioned.

"Anytime you are dealing with prostitutes, drug users, drug dealers, etc. everyone's credibility is in question," Kurtz said.

Oklahoma County's First Assistant District Attorney Scott Rowland says he wanted to keep the documents sealed so the public would not be made aware a video could exist because it's too easy to destroy that kind of evidence.

More on the Carina Saunders' murder case