Murfreesboro Police have released a statement in regards to a December 1, 2015 rape that was reported on Lascassas Pike. The victim told police that six men attacked and raped her, but to date, no suspects have been named.

According to Sgt. Kyle Evans:

On December 1st, 2015 officers responded to the area of New Lascassas Pike and Middle Tennessee Blvd. for an alleged sexual assault. The alleged victim told officers that five African American men and one Caucasian man took part in the assault. She described them as all 6'1", all wearing identical clothing (red and black shirts, black pants, and matching red and black shoes) and all with facial hair. Responding officers utilized a K9 to search the area for possible suspects. The K9 did not find any indication of persons fleeing the area. A detective with the Crime Scene Investigative Unit responded to the scene to process it for forensic evidence. The detective did not find the scene conditions conducive to the reported assault. Additionally, other evidence collected did not match the allegations. Inconsistencies in the alleged victim's report of the attack and the events leading up to the incident caused great concern for investigators. Several interviews with the alleged victim were conducted and the inconsistencies were not able to be reconciled.

The victim told the lead investigator that she did not wish to pursue any prosecution and requested the investigation be closed. She further requested her phone and clothing that was taken as evidence be returned and not processed for forensic evidence. Those items have been returned, however the sexual assault kit will still be sent to the TBI for forensic testing.

Due to the lack of physical evidence, no witnesses, no development of possible suspects, and ultimately the victim's wishes to not prosecute the case should a suspect be developed, the case was presented to a representative of the Rutherford-Cannon Counties District Attorney's Office and both agencies agreed to close the case. A sexual assault case cannot be prosecuted without the cooperation and consent of the victim and every victim has the right to report anonymously and refuse to prosecute.

It is important that investigators and prosecutors are respectful of an alleged victim's wishes. To not respect those wishes would ultimately re-victimize the victim. The alleged victim in this case was referred to social service agencies.

Original News Story:

Murfreesboro Police continue to investigate a rape that was reported this past Tuesday that reportedly involved a gang of six men who held one woman down in the area of Lascassas Pike.

The 25-year old victim told police that she was walking on Lascassas Pike around 6:00 Tuesday evening near the Dana Downs Town Homes when five black males and one white male approached her, pushing her into the bushes outside of the homes. Two of the six men then raped her while the others held her down, according to the report on file at the MPD.

After the attack was over the men fled the scene on foot taking her ID with them.

The victim was taken to the local hospital and DNA evidence was gathered. The case is in the hands of MPD detectives.

If you saw or heard anything you can call your tips into CrimeStoppers and remain anonymous. You will also be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 if your information leads to an arrest. The phone number is 615-893-7867.

Source:

MPD Incident Report #15-24521