Salem - Following last year's near-fatal attack at the Horton Foundation Benefit, once again the Salem family takes the headlines. Horton, a Royal Bengal Tiger named for the Horton Family, attacked Count Anthony Dimera. The tiger, believed to have a mild temperament, was rescued from destruction in South Amerca by Doug and Julie Williams, and was en route to a Florida animal preserve. It is unknown who released the predatory animal from its cage.
While various Salemites participated in acts to benefit the Foundation, most of Salem was in attendance during the attack. Leaflets, apparently circulated by the Count, invited the town to learn the identity of the Salem Serial Killer. In pure P.T. Barnum style, Dimera took center ring after making a magician disappear. The shocked crowd heard the Count announce that the killer was a woman, well-respected in the community. Followoing a moment of silence in honor of the Killer's past victims, Dimera was suddently doused by a pail of what appeared to be blood. Thinking it was all a stunt, the crowd remained in their seats to see Count Dimera be attacked by Horton. Apparently, the blood was used deliberately to incite the predator's instinct to attack. Salemites are sure it was the Killer behind the stunt knowing the Count's intention to reveal their name. Despite Dimera's attempt to fend off the animal with a sword, he was seriously mauled, and is in critical condition at University Hospital.
The Salem Serial Killer is still unknown - and at large. |
