View Full Version : The Grim Sleeper. Update: Arrest in the Grim Sleeper Case!
elliottness
02-26-2009, 11:01 PM
Is anyone familiar with "The Grim Sleeper" case out in California? Suspect is unknown black male who allegedly has attacked 12 victims, 11 murdered with 1 survivor. Attacks all took place in the Los Angeles area from 1988-2002. This case needs to be spotlighted and I'm hoping that this discussion forum will help spotlight it and we can help the victims and their families.
Tricia jumping in herelliottness,
An arrest has been made. Here is one link.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38133825/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/
Discussion of the arrest takes place on page three of this thread.
Debbie Miller
02-27-2009, 12:08 AM
http://www.laweekly.com/2008-08-28/news/grim-sleeper/
It seems he is active again, according to this article.
I tried to copy and paste the first page and it wouldn't work for me.
kline
02-27-2009, 07:41 AM
Wow. I have never heard of this case.
This guy needs to be stopped.
Bargle
02-27-2009, 07:51 AM
I thought we had a thread on this already? I did a search, so maybe not. Puzzling case anyway.
gaia227
02-27-2009, 11:21 AM
I have heard of this guy before! I think there was an article I read in the LA Times which was basically railing against the police for not going public when he started killing again to warn the public. I look forward to reading this article in its entirety.
He stopped killing for 13 years. There has to be a reason for that. My first guess would be that he was in prison which means his fingerprints and possibly DNA are on file.
thefragile7393
02-27-2009, 05:06 PM
By any chance is it possible that it's a copycat?
ETA, no, dosn't look like it, since they have DNA linking him. Wow.
Then again, there's some victims that don't have his DNA it looks like. Maybe some are attributed to him that aren't actually his victims.
DBinMA
02-27-2009, 05:45 PM
I believe there are either DNA or Ballistics matches for nearly all victims.
elliottness
03-01-2009, 09:25 PM
We have got to help these victims. I am very frustrated that this story has not been profiled on the news. I have a feeling that if these victims were white and in a middle-class or upper-class part of California that Nancy Grace and Greta Van Susteren would be profiling them every night. And I say this as a white person, but it really angers me how the white victims are spotlighted even when there is no news in the case yet the minority victims barely get any press.
These women were victims of this monster and we have to help them. There must be something we can all do and that's what I'm trying to do.
shadowraiths
03-03-2009, 01:38 PM
Police hunt 'Grim Sleeper' serial killer
(CNN) -- Los Angeles police are searching for a serial killer dubbed the "Grim Sleeper," who is thought to have killed 11 people.
The killer, who police say murdered from 1985 to 2007, was nicknamed the Grim Sleeper because he seemed to take a break between homicides, police said.
[...]
The killer is wanted in 11 deaths and another homicide attempt, police say.
Full article: click here (http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/26/grim.sleeper.california/)
shadowraiths
03-03-2009, 05:10 PM
Excellent site covering this case:
http://find.thegrimsleeper.com/
ETA ~ crime map: click here (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=
116951202172870986454.0004643bf4910b6c8726f)
Ruflossn
03-03-2009, 06:28 PM
Is anyone familiar with "The Grim Sleeper" case out in California? Suspect is unknown black male who allegedly has attacked 12 victims, 11 murdered with 1 survivor. Attacks all took place in the Los Angeles area from 1988-2002. This case needs to be spotlighted and I'm hoping that this discussion forum will help spotlight it and we can help the victims and their families.
I am very familiar w/ this case. I have studied it for quite awhile. There are so many bizarre and strange facts that I can not believe this monster is still on the loose. The most recent info that I have seen on this case is that a 911 call was recently released to the public. I hope this will garner new info.
laini
03-04-2009, 02:31 PM
I thought we had a thread on this already? I did a search, so maybe not. Puzzling case anyway.
Are you thinking of the East Area Rapist/Original Night Stalker? That is who I originally thought they were talking about. http://www.ear-ons.com/index2.html
REgarding the GrimSleeper, it think it is alarming the chruch connections. Wonder if this is another Dennis Rader who was a church member/leader.
This a.m. I was half asleep during the morning news shows. I vaguely remember them saying something about some other murders being tied to a serial killer including someone Asthon Kurcher dated. Did anybody else see that? Was it the GrimSleeper they were talking about? (I will search when I have more time)
Bargle
03-04-2009, 07:12 PM
Are you thinking of the East Area Rapist/Original Night Stalker? That is who I originally thought they were talking about.
No, I was definitely thinking of the Grim Reaper. Must have been on one of the other boards I frequent. Thanks for the suggestion, though.
Otise
03-04-2009, 09:37 PM
We have got to help these victims. I am very frustrated that this story has not been profiled on the news. I have a feeling that if these victims were white and in a middle-class or upper-class part of California that Nancy Grace and Greta Van Susteren would be profiling them every night. And I say this as a white person, but it really angers me how the white victims are spotlighted even when there is no news in the case yet the minority victims barely get any press.
These women were victims of this monster and we have to help them. There must be something we can all do and that's what I'm trying to do.
I agree! All these poor people need more voices to speak up for them!
Are you thinking of the East Area Rapist/Original Night Stalker? That is who I originally thought they were talking about. http://www.ear-ons.com/index2.html
REgarding the GrimSleeper, it think it is alarming the chruch connections. Wonder if this is another Dennis Rader who was a church member/leader.
This a.m. I was half asleep during the morning news shows. I vaguely remember them saying something about some other murders being tied to a serial killer including someone Asthon Kurcher dated. Did anybody else see that? Was it the GrimSleeper they were talking about? (I will search when I have more time)
They are linking the murder of a former g/f of Ashton Kurcher to a murder in another state, Chicago? Ok, here's an old article. Yes, there are two girls in California and one in Chicago in '93 (he lived there then). Of course, this morning his lawyer denied all charges but the police say there's enough evidence.
JMHO
fran
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2686600/Suspected-serial-killer-denies-murder-of-Ashton-Kutchers-ex-girlfriend.html
elliottness
03-05-2009, 02:18 PM
Grim Sleeper begins his killings in 1985 and continues for the next 3 years until suddenly he stops in 1988...why? I'm guessing that he gets arrested in 1988 and doesn't get out of jail until 2001 or 2002. What happens? The killings start again and in the same area.
Call me crazy, but I believe this guy is still in the Los Angeles area. He's got a pattern. Most of the murders take place near churches and most of the victims wind up being found in alleyways. Many of the victims are prostitutes.
Is there a way to get a list of recent parolees for the years 2001-2002?
Ruflossn
03-13-2009, 08:47 PM
Here is an update on the case of The Grim Reaper.
'Thin, neat, polite': The Sole Survivor of The Grim Sleeper Speaks Out
http://truecrimereport.com/
http://www.laweekly.com/2009-03-12/news/grim-sleeper-39-s-sole-survivor/1
shadowraiths
03-13-2009, 08:59 PM
Grim Sleeper begins his killings in 1985 and continues for the next 3 years until suddenly he stops in 1988...why? I'm guessing that he gets arrested in 1988 and doesn't get out of jail until 2001 or 2002.
Since they have run his DNA against the state's criminal data bank, with no results, my guess is that he may have been institutionalized as opposed to being in the criminal justice system during those years. Or... he may not have been involved in any sort of psychiatric care. Rather, involved in a relationship that reduced his desire to kill. You know, similar to Dennis Rader and Gary Ridgeway?
Ruflossn
03-13-2009, 09:08 PM
Since they have run his DNA against the state's criminal data bank, with no results, my guess is that he may have been institutionalized as opposed to being in the criminal justice system during those years. Or... he may have been involved in a relationship that reduced his desire to kill. You know, similar to Dennis Rader and Gary Ridgeway?
I immediately thought of BTK when I first studied this case.
I also wonder if there was anyway this perp. could have been in the military.
In the military, DNA samples are taken from all 'soldiers', however, the DNA is not tested nor entered into a data base until a reason is indicated. (At least when I took a continuing education class in Oct. 2008 that is what was taught to us).
The things that I have a hard time grasping are:
-the van that was identified by a witness. The vans engine was still warm when LE arrived. How many people had access to keys for that van? There is a HUGE clue attached to the van. Did LE search for prints? DNA? Did they find anything?
-the only surviving victim reports the killer took her picture. At that time, there were no digital cameras, no computers that would print your pics etc.... I wonder if he used a Polaroid camera or did he have the pics developed? Could he have worked in a photo lab and developed the pics himself?
-the orange Pinto. Don't all cars that are tagged / registered have a description? Could records of all orange Pintos not have been reviewed?
These are just a few of the questions I have about this case. I have followed this for a long time. It is a perplexing saga.
shadowraiths
03-13-2009, 09:15 PM
Here is an update on the case of The Grim Reaper.
'Thin, neat, polite': The Sole Survivor of The Grim Sleeper Speaks Out
http://truecrimereport.com/
http://www.laweekly.com/2009-03-12/news/grim-sleeper-39-s-sole-survivor/1
Thanks for the links, Ruflossn. I agree with the talking heads. I think van zandt referred to him as an "avenging angel," though I would proffer this guy is a cause killer with unresolved issues regarding sex for sale and most likely someone who is inclined to engage their services while at the same time blaming them for his unspoken desires. Hence, his comment, "'That is what is wrong with you black women. You think you are all that.'"
Ruflossn
03-13-2009, 10:19 PM
Thanks for the links, Ruflossn. I agree with the talking heads. I think van zandt referred to him as an "avenging angel," though I would proffer this guy is a cause killer with unresolved issues regarding sex for sale and most likely someone who is inclined to engage their services while at the same time blaming them for his unspoken desires. Hence, his comment, "'That is what is wrong with you black women. You think you are all that.'"
I agree w/ your theories. I also think the napkin w/ the word "AIDS" written on it is telling. Remember, in the 80's "AIDS/HIV was just becoming a well known STD. People were learning more about the virus and people were becoming fearful of the virus. I think his issues w/ sex for sale and AIDS are telling.
elliottness
03-14-2009, 01:47 PM
I immediately thought of BTK when I first studied this case.
I also wonder if there was anyway this perp. could have been in the military.
In the military, DNA samples are taken from all 'soldiers', however, the DNA is not tested nor entered into a data base until a reason is indicated. (At least when I took a continuing education class in Oct. 2008 that is what was taught to us).
The things that I have a hard time grasping are:
-the van that was identified by a witness. The vans engine was still warm when LE arrived. How many people had access to keys for that van? There is a HUGE clue attached to the van. Did LE search for prints? DNA? Did they find anything?
-the only surviving victim reports the killer took her picture. At that time, there were no digital cameras, no computers that would print your pics etc.... I wonder if he used a Polaroid camera or did he have the pics developed? Could he have worked in a photo lab and developed the pics himself?
-the orange Pinto. Don't all cars that are tagged / registered have a description? Could records of all orange Pintos not have been reviewed?
These are just a few of the questions I have about this case. I have followed this for a long time. It is a perplexing saga.Funny that you mention a possible military connection because I was thinking the same thing. My gut tells me that this guy was military and had experience using weapons especially guns and rifles. Could have been Army or Marines. I think the reason why there was such a gap from 1988 to 2002 because he was in jail although I could be wrong. I'm thinking that this guy still is in the Los Angeles area or close by. He knows the area and I still believe he's around LA or Inglewood.
colette
03-25-2009, 09:59 PM
A new article on who is running the web page about the grimsleeper. It's an armchair detective from England!
http://blogs.laweekly.com/ladaily/grim-sleeper-website-web-maste/
elliottness
03-28-2009, 05:41 PM
http://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/pdfs/ubyssey/UBYSSEY_1991_03_15.pdf
Everyone, please go to this link. It is an article from 1991 concerning violence against prostitutes in Montreal. The attacker reportedly drove an orange Pinto, the same as the "Grim Sleeper."
Ruflossn
03-28-2009, 05:59 PM
http://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/pdfs/ubyssey/UBYSSEY_1991_03_15.pdf
Everyone, please go to this link. It is an article from 1991 concerning violence against prostitutes in Montreal. The attacker reportedly drove an orange Pinto, the same as the "Grim Sleeper."
This is a great 'find'. Great Job!!
Have you notified the authorities that are working on this case?
Ruflossn
elliottness
03-28-2009, 06:08 PM
This is a great 'find'. Great Job!!
Have you notified the authorities that are working on this case?
RuflossnI just contacted the LAPD and gave them the PDF plus a link to the file. The article is on page 4. Sorry I did not post that in the earlier message. The newspaper article is from Montreal, Canada and mentions a male in his 30s who drove an orange Pinto circa 1975, attacked prostitutes, curly brown hair, small and thin, speaks English with an accent. Now, it could be coincidental, but there's more. The article also mentions that vehicle description records were kept from that time. If it matches up with the orange Pinto, we might have our guy.
elliottness
03-31-2009, 09:01 AM
I have not heard anything back from LAPD or AMW yet regarding the information I provided them the other day. For those of you who are interested in this case, I provided a link to a PDF file on the previous page. Last weekend I was searching on Google for information pertaining to this case when I came across an archived newspaper article from March 1991. The article was from a Canadian newspaper in Montreal, Quebec. Article mentions a private outreach organization known as "Dans La Rue" which helps street youths in Montreal. Among the youths they help out are prostitutes and the article talks about a "bad trick list." A bad trick list is simply a list of bad clients or customers i.e. "johns" who go to see prostitutes. One of the descriptions of the reported johns is this: "Orange Pinto (1975?), curly brown hair, small and thin, early 30s, wire-rim glasses, speaks English w/ accent, carries a loaded big gun, raped girls for 1 hour and robbed another girl." Also, this organization, Dans La Rue, reportedly kept records of the physical descriptions of the men AND car license plate numbers. Can someone help me and let me know how LAPD or someone working on this case could get access to these records? Does anyone know if Dans La Rue will still have these records on file from as far back as 1991? From what we know, GS took a break from killing after 1988 and didn't resurface until 2002. Is it possible that he left the Los Angeles area and went to other states and even countries like Canada? Also, the lone survivor of GS described him looking "geeky." Wire-rim glasses are considered to make one geeky in some circles. I really think LAPD and the authorities should check out this group in Montreal called Dans La Rue.
colette
03-31-2009, 08:26 PM
There is a new article up on the grimsleeper website. There is a slip of paper with numbers and a name on it in old files. What does it mean?
89-1321882 Jose Sola
//find.thegrimsleeper.com/2009/03/31/492/
elliottness
03-31-2009, 10:16 PM
There is a new article up on the grimsleeper website. There is a slip of paper with numbers and a name on it in old files. What does it mean?
89-1321882 Jose Sola
//find.thegrimsleeper.com/2009/03/31/492/That is very strange.
cleo612
03-31-2009, 10:24 PM
The number on that slip of paper looks like either a police report number or a court docket number.
mysteriew
04-01-2009, 11:35 AM
I have not heard anything back from LAPD or AMW yet regarding the information I provided them the other day. For those of you who are interested in this case, I provided a link to a PDF file on the previous page. Last weekend I was searching on Google for information pertaining to this case when I came across an archived newspaper article from March 1991. The article was from a Canadian newspaper in Montreal, Quebec. Article mentions a private outreach organization known as "Dans La Rue" which helps street youths in Montreal. Among the youths they help out are prostitutes and the article talks about a "bad trick list." A bad trick list is simply a list of bad clients or customers i.e. "johns" who go to see prostitutes. One of the descriptions of the reported johns is this: "Orange Pinto (1975?), curly brown hair, small and thin, early 30s, wire-rim glasses, speaks English w/ accent, carries a loaded big gun, raped girls for 1 hour and robbed another girl." Also, this organization, Dans La Rue, reportedly kept records of the physical descriptions of the men AND car license plate numbers. Can someone help me and let me know how LAPD or someone working on this case could get access to these records? Does anyone know if Dans La Rue will still have these records on file from as far back as 1991? From what we know, GS took a break from killing after 1988 and didn't resurface until 2002. Is it possible that he left the Los Angeles area and went to other states and even countries like Canada? Also, the lone survivor of GS described him looking "geeky." Wire-rim glasses are considered to make one geeky in some circles. I really think LAPD and the authorities should check out this group in Montreal called Dans La Rue.
It may take a while to hear back. As old as the case is, it won't be a priority even if they are still working it. After about a month or month and a half, try resending it. You might also make it to the attention of whatever detective is mentioned in the article.
Have you considered looking up the Canadian LE and sending a link to the LA case to them?
Another option is to make contact with the media who is currently writing about the case and let them know.
mysteriew
04-01-2009, 11:40 AM
There is a new article up on the grimsleeper website. There is a slip of paper with numbers and a name on it in old files. What does it mean?
89-1321882 Jose Sola
//find.thegrimsleeper.com/2009/03/31/492/
I did a quick Google on * "Jose Sola" attorney * and only came up with a real estate connection. Someone good with people searches might try to run one on him and see if they find an attorney.
cleo612
04-01-2009, 12:58 PM
New article with numerous pages of info and videos, on CNN today:
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/news/grim.sleeper/index.html
cleo612
04-01-2009, 01:21 PM
The number on that slip of paper looks like either a police report number or a court docket number.
I hate to quote myself, but here goes anyway:
I just remembered that this perp disappeared for 13 years, and came back into the picture when he reoffended in 2002.
If you look at this number on the slip of paper that was attached to the Barbara Ware case, and if this number is related to either a police report number or a court docket number, the first two digits, 89, would indicate the year (1989).
Subtract 1989 from 2002 and you have 13 years.
ETA: I called this info into the LAPD. They are going to check it out. The detective I spoke to said that it looks like a police report number to him, as well. He said that he is going to pass the information on to the lead detective and will follow up with me at a later date. I will keep you all posted if I hear anything from them.
This is a fascinating case. I'm originally from the LA area and I've never heard of it. It's incredible how many of these types of cases, serial killer of prostitutes, goes on and on and on and many people just never know. There's several of these same scenarios of unsolved cases across the nation. Too sad..............NOBODY deserves to die like this.
Thanks for contacting the PD cleo612. That was my thought as well, that it was a 'case #.' I saw it was connected to one particular case and I went to see when it was and got side-tracked reading other websites, etc about this case. By the time I got back, you'd already handled it. Good job!
http://www.laweekly.com/2009-03-12/news/grim-sleeper-39-s-sole-survivor/1
Grim Sleeper's Sole Survivor
http://lapdblog.typepad.com/lapd_blog/2009/02/serial-murder-case-update-grim-sleeper-responsible-for-12-victims-between-1985-and-2007.html
Serial Murder Case Update Grim Sleeper Responsible for 12 Victims between 1985 and 2007
The first link I put up there, the 'sole survivor' has lots of good information. IMHO, IF I were investigating this case, I'd look very carefully at everything she said. Because she's alive to tell her story, I believe she has a couple of IMPORTANT clues.
1. He referred to her by a 'local prostitutes name.' They really, really need to check out that person, the local prostitutes, friends, family, associates,........IF they can find them after all these years.
"But now, she says, he was entirely different. He drove off, started to say something, turned a corner — then went quiet. “He asked me, ‘Why did you dog me out?’” she recalls. She had no idea what he was talking about. He called her by the name of a well-known local prostitute who walked the streets around Normandie Avenue and looked like Margette, except the streetwalker wore an auburn wig while Margette’s black hair was cropped short like a boy’s.
Margette remembers thinking that his weird use of the streetwalker’s nickname was an odd coincidence, because a few days earlier somebody else mistook her for the auburn-wigged woman. But Margette, a tough young woman who’d been involved in a few scraps, wasn’t scared. She was much bigger-boned than her thin, spindly-looking companion, and she was irritated by his hostile tone — something she heard often from the malingering drug dealers and gangsters in her area.
“Who do you think you are talking to?” she responded, showing him some attitude. He suddenly pulled a small handgun out of a pocket on the driver’s side of the Pinto, and shot her in the chest as he drove along the residential streets."
2. He also took her too a residence and she waited outside in the car. That's actually what led up to the actual shooting. They need to find out who lived there then and their friends, family, and associates. Maybe the guy used to live there? or his family? He said it was his uncles?
He merely needed to make a quick stop at his uncle’s house to pick up some money, or so he said.
They wound through residential roads in his sporty car, ending up on a street whose name she did not take note of. The polite stranger parked outside a mustard-colored house partly obscured by hedges, got out, walked up to the house, briefly talked to someone inside, and returned about 10 minutes later.
3. His car was very distinct. SOMEONE MUST have known him when he had this car. SOMEONE MAY HAVE done WORK on this car. They need to air this part of the story on AMW. Of course, they may have already and I just didn't see it.
She was passing D & S Market in South L.A. when she noticed an orange Ford Pinto with a white racing stripe on the hood. She remembers the parked car because “it looked like a Hot Wheels car,” she says, pointing to the run-down market on West 91st Street and Normandie Avenue where the car sat that day.
From inside, the driver, a black man in his early 30s, asked her if she wanted a ride. He looked neat. Tidy. Kind of geeky. He wore a black polo shirt tucked into khaki trousers. She declined the offer. He kept asking her. She refused again, thinking, “I like chocolate milk, but he wasn’t my type.”
“He told me, ‘That is what is wrong with you black women. You think you are all that,” she says. The two traded friendly barbs back and forth. But his comment, which she took as a playful diss, prompted her to change her mind. Just 30, she enjoyed hitchhiking in those days, and accepted his offer of a ride for a few blocks to her friend’s house. Despite the drug violence raging in neighborhoods around her, it wasn’t neat-looking strangers who had her concerned. “It wasn’t a worry,” she recalls.
Once inside, Margette was impressed by the car’s interior. The gear-shift handle was memorable, pimped out with a ping-pong-sized marble ball. The inside was all-white, with white diamond-patterned upholstery. She liked what she saw, and when he invited himself to the party, she said he was welcome to come.
Just some interesting points,
JMHO
fran
PS...elliottness I'm glad you contacted someone about the other cases in Canada. Interesting as well.............fran
elliottness
04-02-2009, 12:41 PM
There is a new article up on the grimsleeper website. There is a slip of paper with numbers and a name on it in old files. What does it mean?
89-1321882 Jose Sola
//find.thegrimsleeper.com/2009/03/31/492/I think I might have found out what this number is. Go to this site: http://www.laweekly.com/2008-08-28/news/grim-sleeper/ and you will see a photo of one of the deceased victims, Mary Lowe, with another 9-digit number next to her picture. Could it be that Jose Sola was another victim? Or was Sola one of the investigators at the time working this case?
Ruflossn
04-02-2009, 01:39 PM
Hello All~
WOW! I have been out of town and have not been able to keep up w/ all the developments in this case. There is some outstanding sleuthing going on!
There is one thing in this case that has always bothered me: The murderer wrote 'AIDS' on a napkin / piece of paper. Why? What is the ramifications of writing AIDS.
-Did our perp have AIDS?
-Did someone he love become infected w/ the virus?
When the murders 1st started, AIDS was becoming more well known. How had the virus effected him?
-I wonder if there were any free clinics in the area that might have offered services for those infected?
-If so, did the clinics take pics of the patients?
-Anyway to access those records?
With HIPPA regulations it may be hard to recover the health info.
I always wondered if the perp disappeared for 13 yrs because of a military career. In Canada, do we (USA) have any bases located where the Canadian victim was found? Any near the US - Canandian border?
KR2tonenow
04-05-2009, 03:13 PM
In the News Today:
Talk of serial killers now being documented. I wanted to note this article-
Follow the trail of a serial killer (http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/news/grim.sleeper/index.html)
not_my_kids
04-05-2009, 03:34 PM
THis case bothers me for 2 reasons, one the relation of the victims to religious centers, almost every vic has been found within a few hundred yards of a religious center or church.
Two, the amount of time between attacks seems to indicate that the killer was incapacitated, probably imprisoned for some time, YET, they have DNA and no hits and no attempt on the killer's part to keep the DNA from being discovered. Those are the actions of a killer that is not concerned about his DNA being linked back to him, because he knows it isn't in the system anywhere.
I have my doubts about there being one killer involved in this, and I think that every single detail, contact and connection in the life of the single male victim needs to be dissected very carefully. He was either a witness or he knew the killer and was becoming a risk.
KR2tonenow
04-05-2009, 03:57 PM
DNA traces to him means he hasn't been incarcerated correct. LAPD seems to believe this POS may have relocated during these spans of no killings in that area. Did they mention that maybe Florida had similair cases? Family members with family in Florida and California. Makes me think that this POS has family in both areas. Maybe look at the members of the different church groups and ALL family members. I think that maybe the link.
I wonder how far the missing woman in LA lived? I am going to go back and look.
KR2tonenow
04-05-2009, 04:06 PM
Hollywood Woman Missing Since February (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myfoxla.com%2Fdpp%2Fnews%2Flo cal%2FHollywood_Woman_Missing_Since_February_20090 324&ei=lw7ZSfvVNIfqtAP8yL2oCQ&usg=AFQjCNH4KuqujlvQjH7WQTqaYn9ogNZlVw)
May not be related but important that this woman is noted as missing and victim's sister is reaching out to all avenues to find her sister.
elliottness
04-06-2009, 07:01 PM
http://www.topix.com/forum/city/los-angeles-ca/TFII0H6QCN1S841FR
I saw this article today and I was wondering if DNA had cleared this man's name. Man's name is Leon Ellis Jr. and he was arrested in July 2007 for being linked to at least 9 rapes in Los Angeles and Chicago. He was suspected of preying on prostitutes and strippers he lured to motels.
Emerald
04-06-2009, 08:25 PM
http://www.topix.com/forum/city/los-angeles-ca/TFII0H6QCN1S841FR
I saw this article today and I was wondering if DNA had cleared this man's name. Man's name is Leon Ellis Jr. and he was arrested in July 2007 for being linked to at least 9 rapes in Los Angeles and Chicago. He was suspected of preying on prostitutes and strippers he lured to motels.
I think his DNA would have been linked to the Grim Sleeper victims too. They linked Leon Ellis Jr.'s DNA to 6 LAPD cases and 2 in Chicago through CA's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). "The first case occurred in 1999 and the last case occurred on June 23, 2007." I don't think they are the same victims as those identified as GS's victims...
http://lapdblog.typepad.com/lapd_blog/2007/07/serial-rapist-a.html
Also, I found this link that says he's 6'4" and 275 lbs, which doesn't match the small and thin description of the GS. The MO sounds a little different too. But Figueroa Street does seem to run right through the area GS's victims were found!
http://limbo55.xanga.com/606051362/my-neighbor-was-a-rapist/
elliottness
04-06-2009, 11:52 PM
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19920408&slug=1485321
I found this article, too. It is from April 8, 1992 and describes a rapist named Robert Berdue who was 30 at the time. Berdue was a native of the Bronx, NY who was convicted of rape while in the Navy in 1982. He served time in military jail before being transferred to federal prison in 1984. He was released from jail in 1985. Convicted for forgery in Washington in 1987 and theft in California in 1988. Returned to federal custody in 1988 to finish serving the rape sentence.
Emerald
04-07-2009, 01:17 AM
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19920408&slug=1485321
I found this article, too. It is from April 8, 1992 and describes a rapist named Robert Berdue who was 30 at the time. Berdue was a native of the Bronx, NY who was convicted of rape while in the Navy in 1982. He served time in military jail before being transferred to federal prison in 1984. He was released from jail in 1985. Convicted for forgery in Washington in 1987 and theft in California in 1988. Returned to federal custody in 1988 to finish serving the rape sentence.
OMG! I cannot believe that article! :furious: I think I'm just so upset over Sandra Cantu's body being found today that I'm just not reading this right. So instead of locking up a rapist for good, they release him again and PAY him to have sex with more women?? No woman, prostitute or not, should be subjected to that, especially directed to by the police. And the police chief says he'd do this again? To keep his town free from prostitutes? HIS MO sounds more like GS to me.
elliottness
04-07-2009, 08:35 AM
I would like to know more about the now-defunct church where the van was found back in 1987. I've looked everywhere on the web for it and can't find a thing. It seems a bit conspicuous that no records exist of it anywhere. Or at least none that I can find. How would we go about retrieving these records?
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19920408&slug=1485321
I found this article, too. It is from April 8, 1992 and describes a rapist named Robert Berdue who was 30 at the time. Berdue was a native of the Bronx, NY who was convicted of rape while in the Navy in 1982. He served time in military jail before being transferred to federal prison in 1984. He was released from jail in 1985. Convicted for forgery in Washington in 1987 and theft in California in 1988. Returned to federal custody in 1988 to finish serving the rape sentence.
I doubt this is the guy. Looks like he needed to give more time behind bars. Who knows? he may still be in prison. He's probably been in and out since this first article was written and in a number of states as well. This article was from '93.
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19930130&slug=1682761
Police Informant Is Sentenced In Cell-Phone Scam
But King County Superior Court Judge Ricardo Martinez told Berdue - who had cooperated with various local, state, and federal authorities - that, aside from stealing a significant amount of money from innocent people, he allowed the lines between police work and crime to blur.
A jury found that Berdue, 30, fooled an area businessman into giving him personal financial information then used it to assume the man's identity.
Berdue used the man's excellent credit rating to lease cellular phones, faxes and copy machines. He then sold the property to other people.
He was sentenced to 57 months, the top of the standard sentencing range. He now faces sentencing on Pacific County convictions of unlawful issuance of bank checks and also may be extradited to Aurora, Colo., where he faces more forgery charges.
Emerald
04-08-2009, 05:18 PM
I would like to know more about the now-defunct church where the van was found back in 1987. I've looked everywhere on the web for it and can't find a thing. It seems a bit conspicuous that no records exist of it anywhere. Or at least none that I can find. How would we go about retrieving these records?
Me too! The church and van are one of the major things that bother me about this case. I can't find anything about this church either. Who owned it? Who were the leaders? When and why did it become defunct? Did it move to another location? I really believe Grim was involved in this church someway. I also believe he fled after victim 8 survived (possibly to Montreal). It really bothers me that LE didn't investigate this more at the time. Why didn't they find out from the church WHO was driving the van or had access to it at the time? They found the van so quickly after the body was dumped. Why couldn't they get any evidence from it? I saw a case really similar to this (I believe on Forensics Files). A woman was abducted by a man in a church van, that actually looked really similar to this one, then raped, killed and dumped. Witnesses saw the van but authorities couldn't locate it for a long time. When they finally found the van at a church they were able to find out who was driving it from the church's van log and it was the church's handyman. They also got evidence from the van. When they took him into custody he just said "What took you so long to catch me?"! That's exactly what I'm thinking about GS! I really hope they can catch him now with all the new effort being put into the case.
I think investigators need to contact members of nearby churches. They may have been a member of the Cosmopolitan Church before it went defunct. Also someone has to have known Grim or at least members of that church.
Emerald
04-08-2009, 05:19 PM
I doubt this is the guy. Looks like he needed to give more time behind bars. Who knows? he may still be in prison. He's probably been in and out since this first article was written and in a number of states as well. This article was from '93.
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19930130&slug=1682761
Right, this guy was incarcerated in 1988 to Jan 1989. I don't think he could have committed the late '88 murders. Plus they should have linked his DNA. I hope he's still in prison though.
elliottness
04-15-2009, 01:48 PM
Everyone,
I've got a couple of updates to report on this case. 1) I was contacted by the LAPD and was informed that a detective is investigating this and will be in contact with me if they need any more information. 2) I heard back from Montreal and unfortunately their archives do not go back further than 1995. This is not unexpected, but disappointing nonetheless.
Emerald
05-01-2009, 08:58 PM
DNA leads to suspect in 1970s Los Angeles serial killings (http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/30/westside.killings/):
A man who Los Angeles police believe raped and murdered dozens of women decades ago was arrested by cold case investigators this month after a computer matched his DNA to evidence from two killings in the 1970s.
John Floyd Thomas Jr., 72, may have begun his killings as far back as 1955 and he could be one of the worst serial killers in United States history, according to Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton.
"We have yet to reach the depths of what he has done," Bratton said Thursday.
WORST SERIAL KILLER EVER! (http://www.nationalenquirer.com/celebrity/66616?cid=RSS):
LAPD say 72 year old "Grim Sleeper" suspected serial killer may have raped and killed up to 30 women in decades old slay spree!
John Floyd Thomas, 72, has been officially charged with two murders so far and his DNA matches that found at three other crime scenes in West Los Angeles from unsolved murders dating back to the 1970s and 1980s.
Robbery-Homicide Cold Case Detective Richard Bengston stated evidence in 25 other killings is currently being examined, but cops say Thomas is the suspected serial killer.
"When all is said and done, Mr. Thomas stands to be Los Angeles' most prolific serial killer," Bengston told the Los Angeles Times.
LAPD ties 72-year-old man to two waves of serial killings (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-serial-killer30-2009apr30,0,4540481.story?page=1):
The LAPD is still investigating at least a dozen murders, over a span of two decades, connected to an unidentified serial killer dubbed the "Grim Sleeper."
I really hope this could be him! Although I don't think his crimes match those of the Grim Sleeper, the gaps between his killings do seem to coincide with the gaps in the Grim Sleeper killings. I hope they will be able to say soon if he is linked to the Grim Sleeper crimes too or not. JVM said on her show today she would be following this case but she only talked about it for like a minute today.
kittenish
05-02-2009, 12:00 AM
Oh man! I read one of those articles about a serial killer in CA being caught, but it didn't mention the Grim Sleeper (You'd think that they'd use his nickname in the article on CNN???). I was really disappointed but now with these new articles, I'm really hoping they got their guy.
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=6813363
Thursday, May 14, 2009
It was November 1988...
...A 30-year-old woman was on her way to a party when she survived a vicious attack by the Grim Sleeper...
..."I just happened to notice the car because it was this orange Pinto, and it was pimped out," she said. ...
...She described him as black man in his 30s, kind of scrawny...
...He shot her, and she lost consciousness.
When she regained consciousness, he was on top of her, raping her and taking pictures. He pistol-whipped her, tossed her out of the car and left her for dead...
ShawnHS
06-12-2009, 01:55 PM
I analyzed the 911 Call of the witness for Reverse Speech (In short, Reverse Speech is messages from the unconscious mind embedded backward into speech.) It would seem there is one or more additional witnesses that were with him.
Here are the examples:
Yes, I would like to report a murder, or a dead body, or somethin'.
(Operator: Where at.)
The address is 1346 East 56 Street. In the alley.
I see the feet. (http://www.backwardstate.com/i_see_the_feet.mp3)
And the guy that dropped her off was driving a white and blue Dodge van.
One of us we thought was about to die. (http://www.backwardstate.com/one_of_us_we_thought_was_about_to_die.mp3) (Is there another witness?)
He threw her out. And the only thing that's hanging out of this, like he threw a gas tank on top of her, and uh, and uh only thing you could see out was her feet. (He had mentioned seeing her feet in the first reversal.)
If was alive, shouldn't be doin' that. (http://www.backwardstate.com/if_was_alive_shouldnt_be_doing_that.mp3)
...I know too many people. Okay then bye, bye.
I am a Negro. The police believe we do that. (http://www.backwardstate.com/i_am_a_negro_the_police_believe_we_do_that.mp3) ("We" would seem to indicate there is at least one other witness.)
colette
11-26-2009, 08:27 AM
LAPD re-releasing the Grim Sleeper's sketch and hope to age-enhance it soon.
The drawing was re-released by the LAPD after 21 years. The killer was described in 1988 by one of his victims as a man in his 20's, between 5 feet 8 and 5 feet 10 inches tall, around 160 pounds, soft-spoken, articulate, with neatly trimmed hair and a pocked-marked face. The sole survivor told the LA Weekly that her attacker was driving a 1970s two-door orange, white-striped Pinto hatchback with tinted windows.
http://blogs.laweekly.com/ladaily/crime/serial-killer-grim-sleeper-ske/
Texas Mist
12-17-2009, 10:43 PM
<snip>
LOS ANGELES -- Police have released composite drawings of the so-called "Grim Sleeper" simulating how he may have aged since the sketch was first drawn in 1988. A half-million-dollar reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest.
....
In one sketch he appears weathered from a hard life; in another, he's portrayed with extra weight; and in the third he appears very similar to the original sketch.
"Today it is being re-released to demonstrate the effects of 22 additional years of age on the suspect," said LAPD Deputy Chief Jim McDonnell.
more here
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=7177195
LA Weekly has a bunch of articles and background on this guy as well.
The most recent:
Age-Enhanced Sketch of Grim Sleeper Serial Killer Made Public
December 17, 2009
http://blogs.laweekly.com/ladaily/crime/grim-sleeper-serial-killer-ske/
Older pieces:
Grim Sleeper Returns: He's Murdering Angelenos, as Cops Hunt His DNA
August 28, 2008
The most elusive serial killer west of the Mississippi took a 13-year break. Now he's back
http://www.laweekly.com/2008-08-28/news/grim-sleeper/
Grim Sleeper's Victims
August 28, 2008
Eleven lives stolen and one lucky survivor
http://www.laweekly.com/2008-08-28/news/eleven-lives-stolen-and-one-lucky-survivor/
LAPD Asks for Public’s Help in Solving Grim Sleeper Murders
September 12, 2008
http://blogs.laweekly.com/ladaily/crime/lapd-asks-for-publics-help-in/
Grim Sleeper's Sole Survivor
March 12, 2009
Relishing life, a tough churchgoing mom is at the center of the Los Angeles serial-killer mystery
http://www.laweekly.com/2009-03-12/news/grim-sleeper-39-s-sole-survivor/
Bound Together by the Grim Sleeper
May 7, 2009
L.A. family of serial killer's victims meet at long last
http://www.laweekly.com/2009-05-07/news/bound-together-by-the-grim-sleeper/
There's a website about him as well.
http://thegrimsleeper.com/
colette
12-18-2009, 04:13 PM
There's a website about him as well.
http://thegrimsleeper.com/
Interesting thing about that website is that they were the ones to "age-enhance" the suspect's sketch first, then they removed it from the website so that LAPD could distribute theirs.
Now they have a link where you can see their original sketch... I think theirs is better.
He's been arrested!
Arrest Made in "Grim Sleeper" Serial Killer Case (http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-grim-sleeper-arrest,0,380919.story?hpt=T2)
StealthTheory
07-07-2010, 04:01 PM
I just saw the news that they made an arrest today! I hope it's really him!
SuziQ
07-07-2010, 04:40 PM
Get this, the guy used to work as a mechanic at a Police station.
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=7542017
Police have made an arrest in the "Grim Sleeper" serial killings on Wednesday, according to an AP source.
According to the L.A. Times, 51-year-old Lonnie David Franklin Jr. was arrested.
A large group of detectives were seen outside homes on 81st Street between Western Avenue and Harvard Boulevard early Wednesday afternoon.
The so-called "Grim Sleeper (http://search.abclocal.go.com/search/results?station=kabc&search=siteSearch&q=Grim+Sleeper)" is believed to have killed 11 black people since 1985.
More at link
colette
07-07-2010, 04:52 PM
From that article: "Neighbors described the man who lives there as friendly and quiet. They said he was often seen working on cars in his front yard and would sometimes stop to chat with passers-by. " Maybe he used cars/vans he worked on during the murders.
colette
07-07-2010, 05:00 PM
Cooley said Franklin's arrest was the first successful use of a DNA investigative tool known as "familiar" searching in California.
Updated at 1:08 p.m.: A source told The Times Franklin worked as a trash collector but retired at some point. The long gaps between his two distinct sets of killings correspond to a time in which Franklin was on disability, the source said.]
[Updated at 1:27 p.m.: Neighbors expressed shock at Franklin's arrest. They said he volunteered at the local park and that his daughter had just graduated from college.
“He’s the neighborhood mechanic“ said Eric Robinson, 47. “He volunteers at the park. A very good man. His daughter just graduated from college, I believe. He’s a good mechanic, worked out of his garage. I’ve been here since 1976 that’s how long I’ve known him. I’m not pretty shocked, I’m all the way shocked.]
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/07/lapd-make-arrest-in-grim-sleeper-serial-killings.html
Indianagirl
07-07-2010, 07:00 PM
Pizza slice helped link suspect to Grim Sleeper serial killings, sources say
In recent days, the LAPD received the results of what is known as a familiar DNA search, which trolls through state felon databases for partial DNA matches that would indicate a match to a relative, a source said.
The suspect in the killings had left DNA evidence at several of the crime scenes. The LAPD learned that a man in state prison showed a strong familial match. Detectives questioned the man, who was too young to have committed several of the older murders, and he led detectives to his father, Franklin, the source said. Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley said detectives got a piece of discarded pizza with Franklin's DNA to make the link.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/07/pizza-slice-helped-link-suspect-to-grim-sleeper-serial-killings.html
This is such great news! It looks like "familiar" DNA testing might just be the key to solving cold cases! I'm anxious to see what other cases might be cracked due to this type of testing.
carbuff
07-07-2010, 08:02 PM
Wow. This is exactly the kind of man I thought he'd turn out to be -- a decent family man with a black evil side...
i.b.nora
07-07-2010, 08:39 PM
He lives in the very neighborhood where all the bodies were dumped. And, I guess he has lived there for years and years.
81st just east of Western Ave.
i.b.nora
07-07-2010, 09:01 PM
So, according the the LA Weekly article:
http://www.laweekly.com/2008-08-28/news/grim-sleeper/4
Victim Number nine, the sole survivor:
"Then the LAPD got its biggest break of all, in the form of Victim No. 9. She was the sole survivor, attacked just before the Grim Sleeper vanished for 13 years. Victim No. 9, who still lives in Los Angeles (and who the Weekly is not identifying to ensure her safety), provided police the first eyewitness description of the attacker and his car. She said he was a 30-ish black man with short hair, driving a rust, red or orange Ford Pinto — the very car victims Monique Alexander and Mary Lowe were reportedly last seen riding in.
In nightmarish detail, the survivor told police she was picked up by a male motorist on November 20, 1988, on the corner of 81st Street and Western Avenue. But he then wielded a gun, shot her in the chest and then raped her. Seriously wounded, she persuaded the killer to let her jump out of the car."
Good grief, he picked her up literally 1/2 of a short block away from his own house!!! Surely the people in that neighborhood would know who around there was driving that Pinto. And, two other victims were last seen driving away with some guy in a similar Pinto. Doesn't do much good to Monday morning quarterback. I am very interested in this familial DNA technique. I imagine there are many more things to be discovered about DNA in the years to come.
It made me think today, and wonder what would be the outcome if some of today's present DNA techniques were applied to the Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman murders.
Texas Mist
07-08-2010, 10:39 AM
Neighbors: Man accused in Los Angeles prostitute slayings kept photos of sex workers in garage
THOMAS WATKINS Associated Press Writer
8:35 a.m. CDT, July 8, 2010
LOS ANGELES (AP) — To many of his neighbors and customers, Lonnie Franklin Jr. was just a friendly mechanic who often stopped to chat as he tinkered on cars in the front driveway of his mint-green house on 81st Street.
But after police identified him as a serial killer Wednesday, other neighbors recalled traits that suddenly seemed chilling.
<snip>
Some neighbors said Franklin made no secret of enjoying the company of sex workers, who he would often bring back to a camper parked in his backyard filled with old cars and junk.
Tasha Cole said he would point out different prostitutes when they would walk by and talk about them disrespectfully.
"He knew all of them and their stories," she said.
Another neighbor, Sherwood Howard, said Franklin would show off nude photos he took of the women from the neck down and talk about his exploits. He kept the pictures in the garage.
"He'd go and mess with women all night long," Howard said. "We knew he was kind of weird, but he was a regular person. We never suspected he was killing them."
more here
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-ap-us-grim-sleeper-killings,0,4589055.story
i.b.nora
07-08-2010, 11:28 AM
Grim Sleeper: For relatives of victims, it was a long wait for news of an arrest (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/07/grim-sleeper-victims-families-speak-out.html#more)
July 8, 2010
"On Thursday, the Los Angeles Police Department will hold its first press conference detailing the arrest on Wednesday of a suspect in the "Grim Sleeper" slayings. The families of many victims will be there to offer their thoughts on the arrest."
This article has pictures of all the victims and interviews with some of the family members.
Herding Cats
07-08-2010, 11:31 AM
Good work, LAPD...just good work. Nicely done!
best-
Herding Cats
waltzingmatilda
07-08-2010, 11:57 AM
Grim Sleeper: For relatives of victims, it was a long wait for news of an arrest (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/07/grim-sleeper-victims-families-speak-out.html#more)
July 8, 2010
"On Thursday, the Los Angeles Police Department will hold its first press conference detailing the arrest on Wednesday of a suspect in the "Grim Sleeper" slayings. The families of many victims will be there to offer their thoughts on the arrest."
This article has pictures of all the victims and interviews with some of the family members.
Great article and thanks for sharing i.b.nora! Kudos to LAPD and I am sending healing prayers of closure to the victims' families.
I hope we see some of this 'perps' mug shots soon since he has priors. He's a true monster living among us. I'll bet his neighbors are totally creeped out right now! I would be!
wm
colette
07-08-2010, 01:08 PM
CBS2/KCAL9's David Goldstein found out this week that Franklin was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon in 1999 and was sentenced to 90 days in jail; in 1993 and 2003 he was convicted of receiving stolen property and served less than a year behind bars. In all of these cases, his time was served in local jails and not in state prison, which could have changed the case years ago:
Also recent pic of the killer at link...
http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/city-news/grim-sleeper-criminal-record/
weedemout
07-08-2010, 02:24 PM
There is a picture of his place on google maps street view and there is a camper parked in the driveway and a car out front that looks like two guys(maybe lonnie) are working on. This google maps can be chilling sometimes.
i.b.nora
07-08-2010, 03:07 PM
This is a new article about the DNA and the arrest:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/07/how-dna-led-to-the-arrest-of-the-grim-sleeper.html
Grim Sleeper: How LAPD followed the DNA to an arrest
July 8, 2010 | 11:11 am
The call to Los Angeles Police Department headquarters from the state Department of Justice came on Wednesday. The message was cryptic -- only that there was an urgent need to talk and that it had something to do with a "familial DNA" search. No mention of the specific case. No names were given. But LAPD officials knew it had something to do with the killer they'd dubbed the "Grim Sleeper."
The LAPD had been hunting the man who had stalked South Los Angeles since 1985, killing at least 10 women.
An official with close knowledge of the case said state justice officials made the initial DNA hit two weeks prior to Wednesday's call, but they were concerned about privacy violations and getting it right. So they spent two weeks retesting results and going through the legal checks and balances. When they believed they had the results firmly in hand, they picked up the phone to the LAPD, the official said.
As LAPD officials realized the gravity of the news, Chief Charlie Beck kept the circle tight. No one was to know about the DNA hit until police had a game plan for how to proceed. No information would leak out, not even deputy chiefs were in the loop.
much much more ...
William N
07-08-2010, 05:13 PM
I believe Hillside Strangler Angelo Buono also lived in the area where the bodies of his victims were found.
David From TN
SuziQ
07-08-2010, 09:15 PM
Los Angeles police detectives are re-examining at least 30 unsolved killings of women in South Los Angeles to see if they can link the homicides to the man accused of being the Grim Sleeper serial killer.
LAPD sources told The Times that the 30 cases share similarities to the slayings linked to Lonnie David Franklin Jr., who appeared briefly in court Thursday charged with 10 counts of murder involving women killed over parts of three decades in South L.A.
More at link:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/07/los-angeles-police-detectives-are-examining-at-least-30-unsolved-killings-of-women-i.html
colette
07-09-2010, 02:46 AM
"The suspect spent most of his daylight hours indoors, sources said. He left his house on 81st Street only to run a few mundane errands — to an auto parts store, nothing that would allow detectives to retrieve any DNA samples."
In the evenings he would take long drives, sometimes going by places known for prostitution. LE got lucky one eve when he stopped for pizza. They got everything he threw out, and the DNA matched.
The only known surviving victim is now heard from ....
"When asked whether Franklin was the same man who shot her, Washington replied: "Looking at the pictures, yeah, it was kind of almost right on target. When I saw him he was younger, skinnier…. He was a neat person, that's why I wasn't feeling threatened when I finally accepted the ride. He wasn't dressed crazy. He didn't look crazy."
[This article has 2 pages, most info comes from page 2]
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lapd-grim-sleeper-20100709,0,1997186.story?page=2
i.b.nora
07-09-2010, 04:54 PM
'Everybody knew Lonnie' (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-grim-sleeper-profile-20100709,0,7174631,full.story)
Neighbors describe the suspect in the Grim Sleeper killings as someone who was always willing to help. He was friendly — but showed a dark side toward some women, neighbors say.
By Hector Becerra and Scott Gold, Los Angeles Times
July 9, 2010
This is a particularly good article. Talks with some of his neighbors and friends. It seems that no one ever suspected a thing.
i.b.nora
07-09-2010, 05:20 PM
Weekly Contributor Christine Pelisek Named CNN's Most Intriguing Person of the Day (http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/oc-media/christine-pelisek-intriguing-p/)
"Moments ago, CNN's Rick Sanchez named Pelisek the "Most Intriguing Person of the Day.""
"This lady used to wait tables and write about . . . minor league hockey in Canada?" the burly anchorman said incredulously. "But today, she is the talk of the investigative journalism world for her reports on a string of old serial murders that connected to some new murders in Los Angeles.""
and
""She brought the case to public attention--this is good journalism--and two days ago police nabbed the serial killer suspect that she dubbed the Grim Sleeper," Sanchez informed the masses.
"She made readers care again about some largely forgotten victims, and her work helped police make an arrest. Good for her! That is why Christine Pelisek is today the most intriguing person in the news.""
i.b.nora
07-21-2010, 01:07 PM
http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/crime/la-weekly-pelisek-grim-sleeper/
Grim Sleeper: LA Weekly Staffer Christine Pelisek To Be Honored At City Hall For Coverage Of Serial Murder Investigation
By Dennis Romero, Wed., Jul. 21 2010 @ 6:02AM
Happening at this very moment:
"LA Weekly staff writer Christine Pelisek was scheduled to be honored Wednesday for her work in keeping the Grim Sleeper serial murder case on the minds of police and the public and for unearthing details of the case that had gone undiscovered.
City Councilman Bernard Park will praise her along with the Los Angeles Police Department detectives and personnel who cracked the case -- Det. Dennis Kilcoyne, Det. Paul Coulter, Det. William Fallon, Det. Clifford Shepard, Capt. Kevin McClure, and crime lab technician Greg Mathison -- at 10 a.m. at council chambers."
I really like good investigative journalism and journalists. They are few and far between these days. Kudos to Christine for her fine work.
carbuff
07-21-2010, 01:17 PM
Christine did an excellent job. Thorough, well-written, and interesting to read. I'm glad her work is being recognized!
i.b.nora
07-21-2010, 01:51 PM
This is a good Associated Press article from last week.
Friends say accused serial killer dropped hints (http://www.sacbee.com/2010/07/15/2893755/friends-say-accused-serial-killer.html?storylink=lingospot_related_articles)
By THOMAS WATKINS
Associated Press Writer
Published: Thursday, Jul. 15, 2010 - 6:13 pm
LOS ANGELES -- "In hindsight, the investigation into the Grim Sleeper serial killings could have led to suspect Lonnie Franklin Jr.'s doorstep much sooner."
and
"Aside from the 10 murder charges, police suspect Franklin killed a man who may have discovered he was a killer. They are also reviewing whether Franklin was involved in about 30 other homicide cases. He has not been charged in those cases."
Note: In another recent article, it was mentioned about some of the evidence collected from Franklin's home. It included some (plural) guns. So, supposedly they will be checking the guns against other crimes.
and, of course there is the obligatory:
"Franklin was arrested at least 15 times for investigation of burglary, assaults and other crimes but avoided state prison. He is alleged to have killed one of his victims in July 2003, a time when he should have been in county jail but was released early because of overcrowding."
and
"A search warrant released Thursday shows police came tantalizingly close to catching the killer in 1988, after a woman he is accused of shooting and leaving for dead survived and provided investigators with an address where she thought her attacker had gone to fetch something.
Detectives searched the home but found nothing. It turned out the survivor identified a house three doors down from Franklin."
And other neighbor stories inbetween.
colette
07-21-2010, 04:28 PM
Also from the above link...a friend says:
"You would have a normal conversation, but he'd end up saying something gruesome," Tribble said.
And on the lone man who was murdered:
"police suspect Franklin killed a man who may have discovered he was a killer. They are also reviewing whether Franklin was involved in about 30 other homicides"
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/07/15/2893755/friends-say-accused-serial-killer.html?storylink=lingospot_related_articles#i xzz0uLnfkglQ
i.b.nora
07-27-2010, 03:37 PM
Grim Sleeper suspect's arraignment postponed (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/07/grim-sleeper-suspects-arraignment-postponed-.html)
Tuesday July 27, 2010
"The arraignment of the South L.A. man accused of being the Grim Sleeper serial killer was postponed Tuesday until Aug. 23.
Lonnie David Franklin Jr. had originally been expected to answer charges against him at an arraignment on Tuesday morning. He has made no statements about the case so far."
Prior to the announcement of the postponment, the LA Times ran this aricle this morning:
Grim Sleeper serial killer suspect expected to answer charges at arraignment (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/07/grim-sleeper-serial-killer-suspect-expected-to-answer-charges-at-arraignent.html)
And, I heard on TV today, that the postponement had something to do with a change in attorneys. But, I am not sure which attorney, for which side.
Melanie
07-27-2010, 03:49 PM
Wow - I'm not far from LA (bout 90 minutes) and have never heard of this case. I'm shocked!
Detectives have spent years investigating slayings between 1985 and 2007 in which the killer targeted young black women and one man. The attacker was dubbed the "Grim Sleeper" because he apparently took a 14-year hiatus from his crimes, from 1988 to 2002
I don't want to speculate here, but I will anyway. Is it because the targets were young black women?
My goodness - Dateline did an episode on Kyron Horman last night, and this child hasn't been missing a month. Yes, he's a young white male.
And yes, I'm white.
I just think there's some injustice in the media going on not covering this as much as they should!
MOO and all that.
Mel
colette
07-27-2010, 09:48 PM
This story got plenty of media attention, it was even on America's Most Wanted 3 times. Just because you hadn't heard of it, doesn't make it so. I have been following this case for years.
i.b.nora
07-29-2010, 03:55 PM
I think it has less to do with any 'color' issues, and more to do with the Police preferring to carry on their investigations quietly, without fanfare. That way, it is less likely they will be blamed for not solving some case.
In any event, Christine Pelisek (my new most all-time favorite crime reporter) talks about how she stumbled upon the case in this article from July 9th in The Daily Beast.
My Hunt for the L.A. Serial Killer (http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-07-09/las-serial-killer/)
"I had gone to the battered building on Mission Road many times before. But that day, in January 2006, was stranger than usual: my skin tingled and a light sweat broke out on my forehead as my source at the coroner’s office told me that his office was quietly launching a task force to investigate whether more than three dozen murders in the Los Angeles area were connected.
I knew I had stumbled onto something that no one else had reported: a serial killer on the loose in Southern California.
My hunch, it seemed, had been right—a serial killer was on the loose in Los Angeles, still lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike again."
There is also this story, about that story:
How the Grim Sleeper got his name (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/story-lab/2010/07/story_pick_how_the_grim_sleepe.html)
"Toward the end of a recent New York Times story about a serial killer in Southern California was this single line: “Christine Pelisek, a reporter for L.A. Weekly who coined the Grim Sleeper’s nickname, wrote about the case and the pressure was back on.”
For me, that’s when the story got interesting."
By Theresa Vargas | July 27, 2010; 9:21 AM ET
And, then of course, all the links within those stories.
I actually would prefer if Nancy and whatshername stay away from this story. Let them stick to the kinds of stories they do. This is not one of them, imo.
colette
07-29-2010, 11:17 PM
In case someone missed this, here is a website devoted to finding the grimsleeper and now has updates and an interview with Christine Pelisek.
http://find.thegrimsleeper.com/
There had been a big media push, with large billboards in the area and stories in the paper and on news just before he was caught.
carbuff
07-30-2010, 01:06 PM
Wow - I'm not far from LA (bout 90 minutes) and have never heard of this case. I'm shocked!
Detectives have spent years investigating slayings between 1985 and 2007 in which the killer targeted young black women and one man. The attacker was dubbed the "Grim Sleeper" because he apparently took a 14-year hiatus from his crimes, from 1988 to 2002
I don't want to speculate here, but I will anyway. Is it because the targets were young black women?
My goodness - Dateline did an episode on Kyron Horman last night, and this child hasn't been missing a month. Yes, he's a young white male.
And yes, I'm white.
I just think there's some injustice in the media going on not covering this as much as they should!
MOO and all that.
Mel
There was a big media push, with billboards, articles, interviews, etc. in the several months before he was caught. It was targeted at the south LA area where he was prowling, but there was quite a bit of national coverage as well.
colette
08-11-2010, 10:44 PM
New article telling the story of the first victim. Her friends told her not to go out that night, to wait until the next day...
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0811-grim-sleeper-20100811,0,425336.story?page=1
joe jones
08-23-2010, 03:56 PM
http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-grim-sleeper-arraignment,0,7993599.story
arraigned, pleads NG
i.b.nora
11-02-2010, 03:49 PM
Christine Pelisek Leaves LA Weekly for the Daily Beast (http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlla/christine-pelisek-leaves-la-weekly-for-the-daily-beast_b11631?c=rss)
By Tina Dupuy on September 16, 2010 7:40 AM
"Crime reporter Christine Pelisek has left the LA Weekly for the Daily Beast. ... She tells FBLA she will be sticking to her same beat. Pelisek is best known for her dogged work on the Grim Sleeper case that resulted in a serial killer being caught. ..."
i.b.nora
12-15-2010, 10:32 PM
LAPD to release images of 160 women taken by alleged 'Grim Sleeper' (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/12/grim-sleeper-photographs-serial-killer.html)
December 15, 2010 | 6:24 pm
"In July, when Los Angeles police arrested Lonnie Franklin Jr., the suspected "Grim Sleeper" serial killer, they scoured his South L.A. property for incriminating evidence.
Among the more troubling discoveries were nearly 1,000 still photographs and hundreds of hours of home video showing women, almost all of them partly or completely nude and striking sexually graphic poses.
Detectives on the case have spent the ensuing months trying to identify the women to determine whether they are alive and to learn how they came to be photographed by a man charged with sexually assaulting and killing 10 women.
The attempt has proved fruitless. So Thursday the LAPD plans to publish images of the roughly 160 women in the hope that they, family or acquaintances will recognize them and contact investigators."
more . . .
i.b.nora
12-16-2010, 12:03 PM
A variation on the article from last night with some further information:
'Grim Sleeper' case brings flood of calls from families of missing women (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/12/lapd-prepares-for-flood-of-new-inquires-in-grim-sleeper-serial-killing-caseg.html#more)
December 16, 2010 | 7:36 am
"Since the July arrest of "Grim Sleeper" serial killer suspect Lonnie David Franklin Jr. for allegedly killing 10 people, Los Angeles police investigators have received 75 calls from the family and friends of missing women, wanting to know the fate of their loved ones.
After comparing information in those calls with evidence gathered in the Franklin investigation, detectives were soon able to discount most of the cases, said veteran homicide Det. Dennis Kilcoyne, head of the task force that tracked down the former city sanitation worker and police garage attendant. But Kilcoyne said investigators were taking a hard look at information generated by a handful of those contacts.
Officials are bracing for more inquiries with Thursday's release of images of about 160 women who were photographed or videotaped by Franklin."
more...
someoneschild
12-16-2010, 03:36 PM
Can you help the LAPD put names to these faces.These photographs were recovered in the possession of the serial murder suspect dubbed in the media as "the Grim Sleeper."
http://www.latimes.com/media/acrobat/2010-12/58310839.pdf
Call 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may contact Crimestoppers by texting the number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.
myzzy
12-16-2010, 05:23 PM
Can you help the LAPD put names to these faces.These photographs were recovered in the possession of the serial murder suspect dubbed in the media as "the Grim Sleeper."
http://www.latimes.com/media/acrobat/2010-12/58310839.pdf
Some of these photos look like cam's from the pc, the type you would find on cheap porn sites where a user connects and watches sex acts.. Also a couple of these stand out as do several of them look like a white van they were in
Picture #27 looks like someones trunk of their car ( the metal grating)
Picture # 56 and 57 are the same fence and on the left of photo 56 you can see the same blue tshirt that is on the female in 57
51,52 and 53 ( possibly 54 also) Look as if they are at a picnic/outdoor function and all of the same group ( family/friends ect)
#61 looks like a mug shot from police records
i.b.nora
12-16-2010, 08:18 PM
http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/news/local/pics-in-grim-sleeper-case-to-be-released-20101216
SNIP
The photos were displayed at a noon news conference at police headquarters, and were also posted on the Los Angeles Police Department's website, lapdonline.org .
"We have 180 photos here -- some of them are duplicates; we don't know how many people are represented here," LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said at the news conference.
"These people are not suspects," he said. "We don't even know if they're victims. But we do know this: Lonnie Franklin's reign of terror in the city of Los Angeles, which spanned well over two decades, culminating with almost a dozen murder victims, certainly needs to be investigated further.
"And we certainly do not believe that we are so lucky -- or so good -- as to know all his victims," Beck added.
Beck said the photos were 20 to 30 years old, and those depicted -- if still alive -- would have aged accordingly. Beck urged people to call police with information about anyone they recognize in the photos.
and
The images were taken from videotapes, Polaroid photos and cameras with undeveloped film inside, all found in Franklin's home, police said.
The photos can be viewed at www.lapdonline.org , and also will be posted on the websites of the District Attorney's Office and the sheriff's department.
i.b.nora
12-16-2010, 08:55 PM
[UPDATED WITH PHOTOS] 180 Naked Women In 'Grim Sleeper' Serial Killer's Photo Collection Might Be More Victims (http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2010/12/grim_sleeper_photos_victims.php)
LA WEEKLY has the images in the form of jJPEGS which might be easier for some people to see rather than downloading the PDF. They are smallish but easy to see, and if you think you might recognize someone, you can always download at that time, the PDF.
Anyhow, this article talks about the case, the photos, and a little bit about Christine Pelisek, and I found it interesting.
"Pelisek spoke with Enietra Washington, sole surviving victim of Franklin's psychotic rampage. Washington, alongside family members of other victims, was invited to view the photos yesterday, prior to their release for public viewing at 1 p.m. today. ... "
and
They say Christine Peliseks writes (but I am not sure where she wrote this):
"Some of the pictures, which were taken by the 57-year-old Franklin before his arrest in July, show women who range from teenagers to women in their 60s, exposing their breasts or fully nude.
... [They] also viewed what may be the alleged killer's grisly trophies - bracelets, rings, earrings, watches, and necklaces confiscated from the Franklin home.
The photographs were taken in cars, in Franklin's motor home and in his backyard garage.
"We have no idea who the women are, what their circumstances are," or if they are still alive, says Kilcoyne.
Some photographs show women who look like they may be asleep, unconscious or dead.
"Some of them [are] in his car and their eyes are closed," says Washington. "Some of them look dead, if you ask me.""
much more at the article ...
i.b.nora
12-17-2010, 03:24 PM
'Grim Sleeper' photos: LAPD gets hundreds of calls, e-mails from the public (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/12/grim-sleeper-photos-lapd-gets-hundreds-of-calls-emails-from-the-public.html)
LATimes
December 17, 2010 | 11:45 am
"A day after releasing photographs of women that belonged to Lonnie Franklin, Jr., the alleged "Grim Sleeper" serial killer, the Los Angeles Police Department has been inundated with phone calls and e-mails from the public.
"The information coming in is voluminous," said Det. Dennis Kilcoyne, who headed the task force that tracked down Franklin. According to Kilcoyne, officers have fielded "several hundred phone calls," while e-mails and text messages have been flooding in through various accounts and tip hotlines the department uses."
and
"Kilcoyne said detectives have already had phone conversations with a handful of people claiming they were relatives of women pictured in the photographs and that they had either been missing for years or had been the victim of unsolved murders.
"We will make sure we sit down across from anyone like that and have a face-to-face conversation to make sure we do everything possible to figure out what happened," Kilcoyne said. "Right now, my goal is just to sort all the information coming in, organize it and in the days to come we'll start meeting with people.""
more ...
miabellamoure
12-17-2010, 03:47 PM
Looking at each of those photo's last night was chilling...to think possibly each one of those women may have had no clue as their pictures were taken what would happen next.
The pictures of the few who had their eyes shut as if asleep gave me chills thinking if these were taken of them indeed asleep, drugged or dead.
My heart goes out to the families of any of those women who may have fallen victim to this beast...but, at least they will finally have some closure.
Personally, I'm not sure if discovering what their loved one's final fate actually was would be a closure but, actually the beginning to have to deal with their loss all over again.
i.b.nora
12-17-2010, 04:55 PM
'Grim Sleeper' photos: Five women tentatively identified as tips flood into LAPD (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/12/grim-sleeper-photos-five-women-identified-as-tips-flood-into-lapd.html)
LA Times
December 17, 2010 | 12:19 pm
They keep updating:
"The Los Angeles Police Department has tentatively identified five of the scores of woman whose photos were found in the possession of the "Grim Sleeper" serial killer suspect, according to Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck.
"I cannot give you an update on their well-being or status," Beck said, adding officers were trying to locate the women. He said tentative identifications were based on tips from the public.
The department has received hundreds of calls and e-mails since it released the photos to the public on Thursday. Beck said the photos have received at least 8 million page views on various media and law enforcement websites."
more...
i.b.nora
12-18-2010, 12:06 PM
Grim Sleeper suspect's attorney criticizes LAPD for releasing photos of women (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/12/grim-sleeper-suspects-attorney-angry-lapd-release-photos-of-women.html#more)
December 18, 2010 | 8:14 am
Louisa Pensanti, the attorney for Lonnie Franklin Jr criticized Los Angeles police for releasing scores of photos of women found in Franklin's possession. She says they are not part of discovery in the case against him and that some of the photos are of his family and friends.
""The photographs include members and friends of the Franklin family, all now subject to the intense scrutiny of the public as well as the police," she wrote.
An LAPD source told The Times that detectives had asked Franklin's family to review the photos before they were publicly released so that ones of his family and friends could be removed. But the source said officials got not no reply to their requests. It's unclear whether Pensanti has now asked that any photos specifically be removed."
There is more ...
miabellamoure
12-18-2010, 02:46 PM
Grim Sleeper suspect's attorney criticizes LAPD for releasing photos of women (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/12/grim-sleeper-suspects-attorney-angry-lapd-release-photos-of-women.html#more)
December 18, 2010 | 8:14 am
Louisa Pensanti, the attorney for Lonnie Franklin Jr criticized Los Angeles police for releasing scores of photos of women found in Franklin's possession. She says they are not part of discovery in the case against him and that some of the photos are of his family and friends.
""The photographs include members and friends of the Franklin family, all now subject to the intense scrutiny of the public as well as the police," she wrote.
An LAPD source told The Times that detectives had asked Franklin's family to review the photos before they were publicly released so that ones of his family and friends could be removed. But the source said officials got not no reply to their requests. It's unclear whether Pensanti has now asked that any photos specifically be removed."
There is more ...
Well, them it seems to me that if Franklin's family & friends are upset...then they should address that with the beast not LE...sheesh!
i.b.nora
12-18-2010, 03:19 PM
In fairness, it is the lawyer for the accused speaking, and not specifically the family and friends. The attorney is doing her job, looking out for her client, protecting his right to a fair trial.
Nowhere in the article does it say that the family and friends are upset. They might be, but it doesn't say that.
Mountain Mama
12-21-2010, 04:08 PM
This makes me wonder what other areas of the country the Grim Sleeper has visited. We know he has lived in SoCal for years, but do we know where he vacations, travels, etc.
If his whereabouts can be traced beyond LA, it would not surprise me if he can be traced to abductions and missing persons in other areas of the country.
I have tried searching the web for articles, but haven't found any yet.
passionflower
12-21-2010, 04:22 PM
As awful as the pictures are, I am glad people can see and ID them.
If I had been searching for a loved one, this would help me know if she was his victim or not.
Donjeta
12-21-2010, 05:01 PM
If I was his attorney I might be more disturbed about the release of the photos that are not family and friends since there is a chance they could be identified as further victims. I imagine it's difficult enough to defend someone for ten murders.
Rippro
05-21-2012, 01:02 AM
Hello,
I am producing "Dancing with Rip" the first movie inspired by the Grim Sleeper, and i would like to be in touch with anyone out there interested in the case.
The facebook page for the film is
http://www.facebook.com/Dancingwithrip
Please stop by there and take a look at our concept pictures and trailer.
Let's also start the discussion about the film here! I look forward to hearing from you.
Les Mahoney
Producer, "Dancing with Rip
Donjeta
09-29-2012, 03:42 PM
http://www.scpr.org/blogs/news/2012/08/30/9635/defense-review-ballistic-evidence-grim-sleeper-cas/
August 30 2012
It looks like court proceedings for Lonnie Franklin, the man accused of being the South Los Angeles "Grim Sleeper" serial killer, will be slow. In what was sure to be one of many pretrial hearings Thursday, defense attorneys reported they're hiring an independent analyst to look at ballistic evidence in the case.
joe jones
10-19-2012, 03:52 PM
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/19/grim-sleeper-lapd-facebook-photos_n_1987864.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003
more photos released - LE trying to identify women in photos found in his possession
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