NYC murder suspect arrested in California claims involvement in 7 US killings
LOS ANGELES, California -- A man suspected of murder in New York City and arrested in North Hollywood last week claims he's been involved in seven murders nationwide.
Danueal Drayton is accused of killing 29-year-old Samantha Stewart, who was found dead in her Queens home on July 7. Stewart had met Drayton on Tinder, NYPD officials told ABC News. New York police said Drayton is also connected to a separate rape in Brooklyn.
Drayton, 27, was arrested last Tuesday after he was found in North Hollywood with a bound 28-year-old woman who was being held against her will.
VIDEO: Exclusive footage of NYC murder suspect's arrest in North Hollywood
Drayton allegedly strangled and sexually assaulted that woman and refused to let her leave after a date, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said.
After his arrest in North Hollywood, Drayton told police he was involved in six other murders. Authorities are investigating those claims to see if there's any truth to them, police sources tell ABC News. So far, no evidence has emerged to validate Drayton's additional claims.
"He is saying crazy things," one police official said.
While Drayton claims he strangled a man in the Bronx, for instance, New York police sources said there are no unsolved murders in that area that fit his description. So detectives are checking for similar cases across the border in Westchester County.
MORE: Queens nurse murder suspect arrested before allegedly attempting to kill Tinder date
Authorities believe Drayton used dating websites and apps to meet and victimize women.
After his arrest in North Hollywood, Drayton was charged with attempted murder, forcible rape, sexual penetration by foreign object and false imprisonment, according to prosecutors.
Drayton was set to be arraigned last Friday, but he refused to get on the transport bus.
A judge had to sign an extraction order to get him to court on Monday. He pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, rape and false imprisonment charges and was held on $1.25 million bail.
----------
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
*
