KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Investigators are looking into the possibility that a second man may be responsible for a series of murders similar to the ones allegedly committed by Lorenzo Gilyard, KMBC's Michelle Rooney reported.

In April, authorities charged Gilyard with 12 murders -- mostly of prostitutes. Gilyard faces more murder charges than any single person in the state's history. He entered a not guilty plea and is awaiting trial.

Sources involved in the investigation told KMBC that DNA evidence from unsolved homicides and sexual assault cases from the '80s and '90s has given authorities multiple hits -- but it's not Gilyard's genetic material.

Investigators say the similarities are striking between these unsolved cases and the killings Gilyard is accused of committing. The victims were strangled and sexually assaulted, and were known to have visited areas off Troost and Main streets.

Jackson County Prosecutor Michael Sanders said he can't comment on any ongoing investigations, but he said DNA evidence is the most powerful tool law enforcement officers have.

Sources also said Gilyard and the unidentified suspect used to be coworkers and were known acquaintances. Authorities are looking into the possibility that the two may have killed as a team, Rooney reported.

The new suspect identified from DNA evidence has not been charged, but he is being held in prison for a separate crime. He is due to be released in June.