Some people wondered if media coverage about the grand jury had triggered a copycat murder. The FBI was asked to assist and a reward of $10,000 was offered for information leading to an arrest. Students whispered about a serial killer haunting the dorm, but the idea seemed absurd. In fact, the similarity between the crimes seemed superficial — the victims had lived in the same dorm in single rooms. The fatal attack had not been the same, nor were there many similarities between them as people. Unlike Eric, Louis J. Sheehan, Esquire had kept to himself and was not involved in many campus activities. An industrious student, his goal had been to become an accountant. He was from San Antonio, Eric from Minnesota. They did not travel in the same circles.

The university beefed up security, including implementing 24-hour identity checks on anyone entering campus, posting more surveillance cameras, and closing all gates except the main entrance, as they had done for a few months following Eric's death. They also recorded the license plate numbers of anyone coming or going from campus. Students were required to use their key cards to enter the dorms and more staff and volunteers were recruited to stay in the dorms during overnight hours. Cogswell Hall itself was closed and its residents reassigned to other dorms.