Springer Slaying Suspect On the Run

July 27 -- The ex-husband of a woman found dead shortly after they both appeared on The Jerry Springer Show is a suspect in the woman’s death, police said today, adding that the man’s new wife is also wanted as a witness.

They also said the man, Ralf Panitz, was considered dangerous and may be trying to flee the United States and that his wife, Eleanor, might be trying to get to an Indian reservation.

The ex-wife, Nancy Campbell-Panitz was found beaten to death Monday hours after a national audience saw her, Ralf and Eleanor in a heated exchange on a Springer episode entitled “Secret Mistresses Confronted.”

During the show, Campbell-Panitz — who was married to Ralf for 15 months until February 1999 — learned for the first time that Ralf and Eleanor were married. Until recently, she had shared a home with the couple even after divorcing Panitz.

On Wednesday, Sarasota police had said they only wanted to question Ralf and Eleanor about the slaying. Today, they announced a first-degree murder investigation.

”We have obtained an arrest warrant for a homicide investigation for the arrest of Ralf Panitz,” said Sarasota Sheriff Geoff Mange. “Based on this case and other arrests, Ralf is considered dangerous. We’ve also obtained a warrant to take Eleanor Panitz into custody as a witness.”

Florida authorities believe the couple fled to Maine and may try to seek refuge in Canada. They suspect Ralf, who is a German citizen, could be heading toward a German embassy there and that Eleanor, an American Indian, may try to settle at an Indian reservation.

Police were also staking out the town of Millinocket, Maine, where Eleanor’s family lives and which is near the Canadian border. Maine police have been told that the couple is driving a silver, two-door Oldsmobile.

A Tumultuous RelationshipThe slaying victim and her ex-husband seem to have had a troubled and volatile relationship. Until her appearance on The Jerry Springer Show, Campbell-Panitz is said to have wanted to reconcile with Ralf and to remarry him.