Police confident public will provide leads in cabdriver death

IOWA CITY - While Iowa City police said Friday they can't talk about the person of interest developed in the case or how he might relate to the death of cabdriver Ricky Lillie, they are hopeful releasing images of the man will aid the investigation.

'In the past, the public has been pretty helpful,” said Lt. Zach Diersen, leader of the department's investigations unit. 'We're confident it's going to generate some good leads.”

Diersen said he didn't want to speak to specifics, but added 'it's been productive to have put the photo out.”

On Thursday, the police department released images of a man they described as a person of interest in the death of Lillie, a 46-year-old cabdriver for Yellow Cab of Iowa City, who was found dead in his cab around 3:42 a.m. Wednesday in the 500 block of Ernest Street. A fellow cabdriver had gone to check on Lillie and found him slumped over in his cab, which was parked near an apartment building behind the Alexis Park Inn.

Lillie's death has been treated as a homicide, but police have not said how Lillie died.

'We are not prepared to release manner or cause of death officially yet, nor am I prepared to talk about the weapon, whether one has been recovered or anything like that,” Diersen said Friday.

Nor are police ready to disclose any details about the person of interest. Diersen could not say whether the man depicted in photographs was a fare of Lillie's before his death.

'I'm going to say that would compromise our investigation at this point,” he said.

While the Fourth of July holiday on Tuesday will essentially mean a four-day weekend for many, Diersen said he's not concerned that will hinder the investigation. He praised the dedication of the officers who already have canceled vacation days to stay and work on the case.

'They'll work right through the holiday, if that's what we need to do,” he said.

Lillie's parents - Peggy Armstrong and Hubert Lillie - said their son lived in Iowa City with his brother and nephew for a couple of years and has driven for Yellow Cab since last August or September.

Iowa City police are asking for anyone with information on the case - including the identity of the person of interest - to contact the police department at (319) 356-6800, Investigator Mike Smithey at (319) 778-3806 or Iowa City Area CrimeStoppers at 319-358-8477.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com