Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Arab terrorists suspected in slayings Date: Tue, 10 Nov 92 15:13:22 EST Message-ID: \SE A;NATION \HD Arab terrorists suspected in slayings \SH Briton, family killed in Calif. \BY Jerry Seper \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES Sheriff's deputies in San Diego are investigating the possibility that an Arab terrorist hit team killed a British businessman, whose body was found in his car Sunday in the Southern California desert. Ian Spiro, 46, was found dead in his car by hikers in a remote area in the Anza Borrego Desert, about 65 miles northeast of San Diego. His body was in the driver's seat, the doors were locked and the keys were inside, deputies said. An autopsy was performed yesterday, but results were not immediately available. Deputies said there were no visible injuries on the body. Deputies had been looking for Mr. Spiro since Thursday, after his wife and three children were found slain execution-style in their home in an affluent San Diego suburb. The international commodities broker was declared the prime suspect in the killings Sunday. News reports in London, however, suggested that Mr. Spiro may have been involved in international espionage. The Sunday Telegraph reported that former Church of England envoy Terry Waite had worked with Mr. Spiro to arrange a meeting with the leaders of the Islamic Jihad, responsible for the kidnapping of several Westerners in Beirut in the 1980s. Mr. Waite, former British hostage negotiator who was taken hostage himself, called the reports "half-informed speculation." He did not deny, however, that he had met with Mr. Spiro. "The situation was and continues to be highly dangerous," Mr. Waite said. "Half-informed speculation can only increase the danger for others." The Telegraph also linked Mr. Spiro with retired U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North, a former national security aide and a figure in the Iran-Contra scandal, although Col. North's attorney, Brendan Sullivan, said he had never heard of Mr. Spiro. Sheriff's Lt. John Tenwolde confirmed on Sunday that investigators were looking into the possibility that terrorists were involved in the killings but said authorities had no evidence to support the allegation. Deputy Phil Brust said Mr. Spiro's family was found dead in their home in Rancho Santa Fe, about 30 miles north of San Diego. Gail Spiro, 40, and the couple's children - Sara, 16, Adam, 14, and Deana, 11 - each were shot once in the head as they lay in their beds. The bodies were found after police were notified by friends who had become concerned after not seeing the family for several days. Deputies at first considered Mr. Spiro a possible witness or even a victim himself before naming him the prime suspect. Lt. Tenwolde said deputies had not yet determined a motive. Authorities checked airports and train stations throughout California and the United States and distributed Mr. Spiro's description and photographs to law enforcement agencies in Canada and other countries, Lt. Tenwolde said. The FBI was put on alert at the U.S. Embassy in London, he said. Mr. Spiro and his family moved several months ago to an exclusive estate in Rancho Santa Fe. Neighbors described him as a man devoted to his wife and children but said they knew little about his past. He rented a luxury home with four bedrooms and three baths for $4,500 a month. Homes in the millionaires' enclave cost up to $2 million. Residents include best-selling author Joseph Wambaugh and former National Football League Commissioner Pete Rozelle, as well as a number of film and television stars. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM