(Columbia, Missouri) The investigation into the slaying of a University of Missouri-Columbia student has uncovered a secret love affair between the victim and a married officer on the Columbia police force.

The body of 23 year old Jesse Valencia was discovered last Sunday afternoon on the lawn of a residence about a block from his apartment. His throat had been slashed, and police are not certain if he had been killed at that location or his body dumped there.

The last time anyone saw him was about 3:30 the previous morning as he left a party off campus.

Valencia was openly gay, a history major, and was from Kentucky. He worked as a night desk clerk at a local hotel, and is described by friends as quiet "until you got to know him'.

But, as police began to investigate the murder they kept hearing from students who knew Valencia that he was having an affair with a married cop.

The murder probe forced the office to come out to investigators. Police won't say if the officer came to them or if they were able to determine his identity. They are refusing to name the officer but say he is not a suspect. The officer is now on paid leave.

"At this point, the leave is not related to any suspension or disciplinary action," Columbia Police Chief Randy Boehm told the Columbia Daily Tribune.

"Having a personal relationship by itself is not necessarily cause for disciplinary action. He would have to have done something to violate our rules or policies.

"However, it will be examined," Boehm told the paper.

Investigators have been circulating pictures of Valencia in a locals gay club in the hope someone can help with the timeline in the slaying.

Capt. Mike Martin said there are few clues in the case but adds that at this time there is nothing to suggest the murder was the result of Valencia's sexuality. "But, we're ruling nothing out," he said.

http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/06/0...legeMurder.htm

Hmmm the married officer is on paid leave.. WTF for if he isnt a suspect and hasnt done anything wrong? Another waste of taxpayers money!

Regards,

Lee