Dangerous, ‘extremely intelligent’ fugitive may be hiding in Carolina mountains, feds say
A 49-year-old fugitive wanted for first-degree murder is a known outdoorsman who could be hiding out in the mountains of North or South Carolina, federal officials say.
U.S. Marshals released new details Tuesday in the hunt for Ryan Dusha Kedar — who is accusing of killing 58-year-old Mark Jermon on Feb. 26 in South Carolina — and is now believed to be armed and dangerous, officials said in a news release.
“Kedar, who was born in Israel, received an undergraduate degree from the University of Tel Aviv and served in the Israeli army,” the release states. “He received a graduate degree from the University of Washington. While he should be considered extremely intelligent, investigators say he may display socially awkward behavior.”
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Jermon was found shot to death Feb. 26 on the soccer fields at Herdklotz Park, McClatchy News previously reported. The motive was not immediately clear, but the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office has said the men “were familiar with each other.”
Kedar was a resident of Greenville County at the time, according to the sheriff’s office.
His SUV was abandoned on the side of the road near Paris Mountain State Park — a 1,540-acre park just north of Greenville — a few days after the shooting, the U.S. Marshals office said Tuesday.
“More than 100 law enforcement officers searched the park that weekend but were unable to locate Kedar,” the release states.
The avid outdoorsman who “enjoys camping and hiking” is “known to have visited numerous state and national parks,” law enforcement officials said.
Kedar reportedly did extensive research of the Brevard-Asheville area in North Carolina. Investigators believe he might be “staying for brief periods in hostels and motels in the mountains of South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky or Virginia,” according to the release.
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Officials warned those who live nearby that Kedar may have changed his appearance.
He also looked into purchasing a used car near Greenville, likely from a private seller “to avoid having to register the vehicle,” according to Tuesday’s release.
Anyone with information is asked to call 1-877-WANTED-2 (1-877-926-8332) or Crime Stoppers of Greenville at 23-CRIME. Tips can also be submitted via the USMS Tips application.
There’s a $7,000 reward for information — $5,000 from the U.S. Marshals and $2,000 from Crime Stoppers of Greenville.
