WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | Police Continue Search For Double Murder Suspect

Police Continue Search For Double Murder Suspect

By Connie Leonard

(LOUISVILLE) -- The manhunt continues for the a suspect wanted for murdering two people. Twenty-six-year-old Dale Moneypenny is wanted for both murder and arson after setting fire to the apartment of one of the victims. Another suspect, Jennifer Smith, was arraigned Monday. Meanwhile, friends of the victims are beginning to shed light on the nature of their relationships with Moneypenny. WAVE 3 Investigator Connie Leonard has the latest.

"I would say they were friends for 30 years." Chuck Blust remembers the relationship between 43-year-old Eddie Poynter and 73-year-old Blaine Thacker Jr., longtime friends, who were both killed within a matter of hours early the morning of March 24th.

Those who knew the victims still can't believe they're gone. "What they did was completely unnecessary," Blust said.

Police say 23-year-old Jennifer Lynn Smith, now in custody, and Moneypenny who is still on the run. Moneypenny has ties to Ashland, but police say he could be anywhere.

Poynter's body was found around 2 a.m. Friday in his burning apartment at 109 Harland Street. He had been stabbed multiple times just before the fire was set.

On March 25th, Smith allegedly told police she gave Moneypenny the lighter to start the fire. She then led police to Blaine Thacker's body at the Mayflower Apartments.

Police believe the couple went to Thacker's home after killing Poynter and asked if they could stay the night. Smith says Moneypenny then killed him while he slept.

"If they wanted anything from him (Thacker), he would have given it to them," Blust said. "That's the kind of person he was."

While police say the two victims were life partners, those who knew them best say they were just two friends who grew up together and worked in Louisville's restaurant community.

Poynter recently worked as a waiter at Cunningham's restaurant but had also worked a short stint at Masterson's Restaurant with Thacker. Owner Andrew Masterson says Thacker was a 30-year cook and a great person.

"To die that way is just really difficult for everybody to accept," Masterson said. "Blaine wouldn't hurt a soul, and to see such a tragic end come to his life, it's really tough."

Friends say Poynter had some drug and alcohol problems, but was a good guy -- and trusting to the point of being gullible -- which may have been his downfall with Moneypenny and Smith.

Police say they want to find Moneypenny before releasing the motive for the crime. Even though chances are good that he may have fled to his hometown of Ashland, police believe he's still in the Louisville area because he has limited resources.

Moneypenny has a long criminal history, including assault charges, violation of a domestic order, DUI, auto theft and burglary. Police say he's also faced charges in other states.

If you have any information, please call 574-LMPD.

Previous Stories:

• Woman Arrested After Two Murders; Second Suspect Sought
• Murder Victim Found In Burning Apartment

Online Reporter: Connie Leonard

Online Producer: Michael Dever