Atlantic City Eastbound Strangler 4 Women Found Dead behind Motel Egg Harbor Twp, Nov 2006

[Skully]

When they say "they were facing East" does that mean the heads were turned and bodies straight and bound in that position? or were the bodies just tilted to the East, indicating it could have been the tide?

I haven't read about the conditions of the bodies, but torture comes in many forms. Some leave no marks or defensive wounds. To strangle a person to near death and bring them back numerous times, is torture. Many victims suffer cutting and other forms of torture, but after the body's decomposition, you don't see that. Some remove fleshy body parts. So I never rule out torture, these guys are sadistic.

 

[cynical_1]

When they say "they were facing East" does that mean the heads were turned and bodies straight and bound in that position? or were the bodies just tilted to the East, indicating it could have been the tide?

The acting Atlantic County Prosecutor at the time, Jeffrey Blitz, had this to say in his one and only press conference in 2006.

“They were laying in the drainage ditch with head facing east, down,” he said. “Whether that’s a coincidence or not, it is what it is.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/22/nyregion/22slay.html

For a body lying in water, the most logical explanation appears to be that the face of a head is either facing east or it's facing down. It can't be both. Now, the top of a head can be facing east with the face pointed downward which seems to be the most plausible explanation to me.

It's the 'facing east' angle of this case that has led to so much speculation about the possibility of ritual killings. My belief has always been that having all four heads facing east is part of this serial killer's signature. A signature that includes fully clothed bodies and missing shoes.

It's not unusual for an organized SK to pose the bodies. According to Psychology Today “if the crime scene alterations only serve the fantasy needs of the offender, then they are considered part of the signature and they are referred to as posing.”

One can believe it was the current in the ditch that caused all four heads to point to the east or that the killer posed the bodies with heads facing east on purpose. I don't think it was a coincidence or the current that caused all the heads of all four bodies to face east. But then, that's just my opinion.

 

[da fino]

For a moment, I'd like to switch gears and discuss the theory that I shared with Josh & Rachel for the tv show. It is, after all, a matter of public record so I guess it's only fair that I put it out there for discussion. Feel free to critique it as much as you'd like as I have a thick skin and in reality it's not about me at all. It's about finding justice for the poor woman found behind the Golden Key.

So let me begin. I've always had the suspicion that the individual responsible for the AC4 was a student of Gary Ridgway. Not that he actually knew Ridgway but that he studied Ridgway's method of killing. Per Ridgway's wikipedia page: “He killed most victims in his home, his truck, or a secluded area.”.

My focus is on the “secluded area” of that last statement. We can discuss if he killed them in his home (or temporary residence like the Golden Key) at a later time. Right now I'll just talk about a secluded area in AC that I suspect was the actual kill site. That location, as has been so accurately pinpointed by fellow sleuths, is a dead end road known as N. Riverside Dr. in Atlantic City.

With Google maps it's easy to get an aerial view of the topography of the surrounding area of this road. Within the city limits of AC I don't believe that one can find a more secluded area. My hats off to Missy0928 and other sleuths who pointed out that there used to be an abandoned building located on that street. What's not known is that in 2006 the right side of that road was lined with tall foliage (6-8 ft.) that obscured the view to and from Absecon Blvd. The field between the road and The Humane Society was overgrown with underbrush as well. An ominous site at night if ever there was one.

The site itself is a short 5 minute drive from Pacific Ave. in AC where the four women were known to frequent. My scenario is as follows:

The killer offers a ride to the unsuspecting victims in the area of Pacific Ave. on the premise of helping them procure the drug of their choice. The women are casually acquainted enough with this guy that they accept an offer of a ride. Once the drug of choice is acquired they head to N. Riverside Dr. with the unsuspecting victim smoking crack, shooting up or drinking in the car along the way. Once they arrive at the location he waits until the drugs have effectively rendered them defenseless.

He gets them to step out of the car and before they know what's happening he's strangling them to death right there on the road. Once dead he removes their shoes and then loads them into the trunk of his car. He drives back onto Absecon Blvd. and takes a right towards the mainland. He takes a left on Main St. and drives until he reaches the Black Horse Pike where he takes another left. The Golden Key is only a moment or two away from there.

The latest information we have about any of the victims concerns the timing of when Kim Raffo was last sighted. Reports indicate that she left a room at the Taj Mahal casino at 5:00 am in the morning “to get drugs”. Every report published states that she was in the water for a couple of days. Yet it was less than a day and a half (33 hrs.) between the time of her last sighting and the discovery of her body.

I suspect that this guy strikes fast. I can't speculate if he has some kind of foot sex with the victims because I am unfamiliar with such things. But I do believe that this stone cold killer is ballsy enough to wade directly into that drainage ditch carrying his latest victim so that he can place them exactly the way that he has fantasized about.

So there you have it. As always, just my opinion.

Ps: My compliments to Josh & Rachel for having the courage to explore a new angle and not simply rehash old, stale information. After ten years let's hope that someone, anyone can remember something that may move this case along.

I am not too familiar with the ridgeway case, but I do find the wikipedia quote I bolded above to be an interesting discussion point.

I also found the n. riverside drive area to be a interesting location, but I have some reservation about the scenario you laid out.

I do think the perp in this case, or any case where there is a “disposal” of remains for that matter, is solving a very basic problem. That problem is the victim’s location and/or the scene of the crime is a very incriminating place to the perp. Like his home or a car or place of work, etc. Some place that the body cannot stay for any period of time, and the perp can remain free or unassociated with the crime.

A secluded area only fits this model if that area is tied to the perp by its remoteness or access or if someone else knows that the perp is associated with that secluded area. I do suppose it could be that the space does offer a “safe” space for the perp to commit his crimes, however, in looking at that particular dead end area, I would want to know why, if the perp was committing his crimes there, that he also wouldn’t use it for disposal? I think the adjacent creek would be a very convenient place to dispose of body as well, without the risk of driving the body to a second location for disposal and thereby increasing the chances of getting pulled over or encountering activity behind the golden key motel.

So for me, this leads me to believe that the location behind the golden key motel may possibly have in fact been the crime scene, or more accurately, in the perps vehicle behind the golden key may be the crime scene. It seems like it would be both a good place to have an encounter with a prostitute and dispose of a body at the same time. That is, until the victims were discovered. If I were an investigator, I would want to talk to any prostitutes that had a john who took them to that location or nearby on prior occasions.

 

[cynical_1]

I am not too familiar with the ridgeway case, but I do find the wikipedia quote I bolded above to be an interesting discussion point.

I also found the n. riverside drive area to be a interesting location, but I have some reservation about the scenario you laid out.

I do think the perp in this case, or any case where there is a “disposal” of remains for that matter, is solving a very basic problem. That problem is the victim’s location and/or the scene of the crime is a very incriminating place to the perp. Like his home or a car or place of work, etc. Some place that the body cannot stay for any period of time, and the perp can remain free or unassociated with the crime.

A secluded area only fits this model if that area is tied to the perp by its remoteness or access or if someone else knows that the perp is associated with that secluded area. I do suppose it could be that the space does offer a “safe” space for the perp to commit his crimes, however, in looking at that particular dead end area, I would want to know why, if the perp was committing his crimes there, that he also wouldn’t use it for disposal? I think the adjacent creek would be a very convenient place to dispose of body as well, without the risk of driving the body to a second location for disposal and thereby increasing the chances of getting pulled over or encountering activity behind the golden key motel.

So for me, this leads me to believe that the location behind the golden key motel may possibly have in fact been the crime scene, or more accurately, in the perps vehicle behind the golden key may be the crime scene. It seems like it would be both a good place to have an encounter with a prostitute and dispose of a body at the same time. That is, until the victims were discovered. If I were an investigator, I would want to talk to any prostitutes that had a john who took them to that location or nearby on prior occasions.

Interesting points, all. For arguments sake I'll start with a generic definition of an Organized Serial Killer. I believe that this particular individual loosely fits the definition.

This offender will perpetrate very deliberative crimes, thoroughly calculated and planned. Premeditation of these crimes will also typically include extensive stalking. He preys mostly on strangers so that he cannot be linked to their victims in any way. He will hunt far from work or home, but in an area he has surveilled and become intimately familiar with. The abduction and abuse of the victim will be perpetrated with as much precision and calculation as the predator has put into planning his clear escape. An organized sexual homicide will have multiple scenes: the location of initial contact or assault, the scene of death, and the body disposal site. This offender is socially adept and may con or persuade his victims into going with him willingly.

http://psychautopsy.weebly.com/organized-vs-disorganized.html

I've included the link above (and the text included in it) only because it offers just one of many similar definitions of an organized SK. Most offer the same generic definitions.

Of the definitions that I've read most, if not all, include something along the lines of: “With organized offenders, there are typically three separate crime scenes: where the victim was approached by the killer, where the victim was killed, and where the victim’s body was disposed of.”.

In this case the location behind the Golden Key offered a remote location where he could get in quickly, dispose of the body and make an equally quick exit back onto the BHP. Once the bodies were discovered, LE was ALL OVER that site searching for anything of forensic value. Yet, as far as anyone knows, they came up empty. This guy clearly planned his escape for when things got hot.

Killing four women behind an occupied motel and then removing shoes, jewelry and all associated items belonging to the victims would seem, to me, to take considerably more time than this guy would be willing to risk. Not to mention the easy access to the BHP should, god forbid, one of his victims manage to slip his grasp.

For this guys purposes a kill site needs to be much more private. A site that is not to far from the location of where he first encounters his victims on Pacific Ave. A site, less than a 5 minute drive, that he can pull into before the bells & whistles go off in his victims head. A site that he has very carefully selected and that he has become intimately familiar with during his planning stage.

That creek that you make note of on Riverside Dr. is actually an inlet that's attached to a waterway that quickly runs into the Atlantic Ocean. A body placed there might stay submerged for while before washing up on the beach in front of The Showboat Casino.

There's a banner ad for The Killing Season above most threads on this topic. That image is exactly how I envision the scene that occurred four times behind the Golden Key. Organized killers are very difficult to apprehend because they go to inordinate lengths to cover their tracks.

Just my opinion.

 

[da fino]

Interesting points, all. For arguments sake I'll start with a generic definition of an Organized Serial Killer. I believe that this particular individual loosely fits the definition.

This offender will perpetrate very deliberative crimes, thoroughly calculated and planned. Premeditation of these crimes will also typically include extensive stalking. He preys mostly on strangers so that he cannot be linked to their victims in any way. He will hunt far from work or home, but in an area he has surveilled and become intimately familiar with. The abduction and abuse of the victim will be perpetrated with as much precision and calculation as the predator has put into planning his clear escape. An organized sexual homicide will have multiple scenes: the location of initial contact or assault, the scene of death, and the body disposal site. This offender is socially adept and may con or persuade his victims into going with him willingly.

http://psychautopsy.weebly.com/organized-vs-disorganized.html

I've included the link above (and the text included in it) only because it offers just one of many similar definitions of an organized SK. Most offer the same generic definitions.

Of the definitions that I've read most, if not all, include something along the lines of: “With organized offenders, there are typically three separate crime scenes: where the victim was approached by the killer, where the victim was killed, and where the victim’s body was disposed of.”.

In this case the location behind the Golden Key offered a remote location where he could get in quickly, dispose of the body and make an equally quick exit back onto the BHP. Once the bodies were discovered, LE was ALL OVER that site searching for anything of forensic value. Yet, as far as anyone knows, they came up empty. This guy clearly planned his escape for when things got hot.

Killing four women behind an occupied motel and then removing shoes, jewelry and all associated items belonging to the victims would seem, to me, to take considerably more time than this guy would be willing to risk. Not to mention the easy access to the BHP should, god forbid, one of his victims manage to slip his grasp.

For this guys purposes a kill site needs to be much more private. A site that is not to far from the location of where he first encounters his victims on Pacific Ave. A site, less than a 5 minute drive, that he can pull into before the bells & whistles go off in his victims head. A site that he has very carefully selected and that he has become intimately familiar with during his planning stage.

That creek that you make note of on Riverside Dr. is actually an inlet that's attached to a waterway that quickly runs into the Atlantic Ocean. A body placed there might stay submerged for while before washing up on the beach in front of The Showboat Casino.

There's a banner ad for The Killing Season above most threads on this topic. That image is exactly how I envision the scene that occurred four times behind the Golden Key. Organized killers are very difficult to apprehend because they go to inordinate lengths to cover their tracks.

Just my opinion.

thanks for that, as you can probably tell my take is essentially a practical one that might not necessarily account for the bends and intricacies of an organized killer as you've described. and i do think the business with the shoes and the eventual resting places of the bodies, however they came to their position, does suggest an organized killer.

in trying to remain open to both organized and unorganzied profiles (or less organized, I’m not really versed in serial murderer types), I could still see his car as being the 2nd of the three scenes, whether it is parked behind the motel or elsewhere. But I also think the organized profile you outlined suggests that a home would be a more likely place for the murders to occur, as it offer the most privacy and indulgence in what seems like might be an elaborate ritual.

Still, I’m really struck by the spree nature of this killer. Assuming he just started, at that pace if it were to continue, this would have to put this killer at one of most prolific rates known in history. Like someone on a binge or bender, which also suggest to me some out of control or less organized nature. And again I come back to how quickly this all seemed to stop. Why?

 

[cynical_1]

I keep referring back to a recent article published on Nov. 20th, 2016 by NJ.com because it's the only source of new information on this case in 10 years.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/11/10_years_later_the_atlantic_city_serial_killer_rem.html

“Raffo, Breidor, Roberts and Dilts were believed to have been killed elsewhere before their bodies were dumped, leaving precious little to examine, authorities have said.”

Traits of an organized serial killer.

“Raffo had no defensive wounds on her body, suggesting she could have been drugged or attacked while incapacitated. The other women had no discernible defensive wounds, but because of the state of decomposition, wounds could not be ruled out.”

While there may be a ritualistic aspect to this case, there's nothing to lead anyone to believe that these women were bound up or tortured prior to their deaths.

Some serial killers return to the dump site to have sex with the dead bodies. Judging by the location of where these women were found that particular kink can be ruled out.

But the word incapacitated is peculiar. Booze, crack or smack would certainly put someone in a state where they could be rendered somewhat defenseless. But that takes time, and reports indicate that the last two victims (Raffo and Roberts) were planning to return to somewhere within an hour or two.

So how would one go about quickly incapacitating someone? Chloroform would certainly do the trick, a scenario that could easily be enacted within the confines of a vehicle. With the targeted victim now incapacitated, the killer would be free to indulge in his ritualistic fantasies.

As always, just my opinion.

 

[da fino]

I keep referring back to a recent article published on Nov. 20th, 2016 by NJ.com because it's the only source of new information on this case in 10 years.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/11/10_years_later_the_atlantic_city_serial_killer_rem.html

“Raffo, Breidor, Roberts and Dilts were believed to have been killed elsewhere before their bodies were dumped, leaving precious little to examine, authorities have said.”

Traits of an organized serial killer.

“Raffo had no defensive wounds on her body, suggesting she could have been drugged or attacked while incapacitated. The other women had no discernible defensive wounds, but because of the state of decomposition, wounds could not be ruled out.”

While there may be a ritualistic aspect to this case, there's nothing to lead anyone to believe that these women were bound up or tortured prior to their deaths.

Some serial killers return to the dump site to have sex with the dead bodies. Judging by the location of where these women were found that particular kink can be ruled out.

But the word incapacitated is peculiar. Booze, crack or smack would certainly put someone in a state where they could be rendered somewhat defenseless. But that takes time, and reports indicate that the last two victims (Raffo and Roberts) were planning to return to somewhere within an hour or two.

So how would one go about quickly incapacitating someone? Chloroform would certainly do the trick, a scenario that could easily be enacted within the confines of a vehicle. With the targeted victim now incapacitated, the killer would be free to indulge in his ritualistic fantasies.

As always, just my opinion.

Good pickup about the investigators thinking she was killed elsewhere, though I would still say a crime scene could within a vehicle on site or somewhere nearby or elsewhere and contained to the vehicle. i’m not sold on that, but I am sold on a vehicle to transport them there, and think a vehicle is very likely for the initial contact/pick up of the victims.

I should probably re-read that nj.com piece when I get a moment, as I had overlooked that information.

I do think that heroin and too a lesser extant booze could be used to incapacitate the victims in short enough order. Injecting heroin is going to hit them heavy and fast. Booze will certainly take a bit longer, but the vicitms could have already been somewhat intoxicated from first contact with the perp. Cocaine I wonder about, as I believe that is a stimulant. Certainly smoking it will have a nearly instant affect, however I don’t know if it would incapacitate someone.

I’m thinking the perp was probably enticing the victims with the drugs directly, rather than offering cash. I’m thinking the lure of payment in an indulgent amount of drugs is going to possibly more attractive to a user than an equivalent amount of cash. It cuts out the middle step of taking the cash, finding a dealer, etc. all this could go down very quickly in a vehicle, which I guess is why I’m so reluctant to give that scenario up.

 

[cynical_1]

I’m thinking the perp was probably enticing the victims with the drugs directly, rather than offering cash. I’m thinking the lure of payment in an indulgent amount of drugs is going to possibly more attractive to a user than an equivalent amount of cash. It cuts out the middle step of taking the cash, finding a dealer, etc. all this could go down very quickly in a vehicle, which I guess is why I’m so reluctant to give that scenario up.

Good points as well. Which brings up the question of how would the killer know each victims particular drug of choice beforehand? From the beginning I've had the feeling that the victims knew the killer as he was running in the same circles as them. What they didn't know is that they were being stalked.

 

[da fino]

Good points as well. Which brings up the question of how would the killer know each victims particular drug of choice beforehand? From the beginning I've had the feeling that the victims knew the killer as he was running in the same circles as them. What they didn't know is that they were being stalked.

agreed, good chance he's a repeat john with these girls. might help let him know what their drug of choice is.

also means the perp would be in the know with drugs and likely a user/addict himself. if not a user then possibly a dealer, reformed user or otherwise very familiar with any of those types, including LE.

 

[The Nomad]

I keep referring back to a recent article published on Nov. 20th, 2016 by NJ.com because it's the only source of new information on this case in 10 years.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/11/10_years_later_the_atlantic_city_serial_killer_rem.html

“Raffo, Breidor, Roberts and Dilts were believed to have been killed elsewhere before their bodies were dumped, leaving precious little to examine, authorities have said.”

Traits of an organized serial killer.

“Raffo had no defensive wounds on her body, suggesting she could have been drugged or attacked while incapacitated. The other women had no discernible defensive wounds, but because of the state of decomposition, wounds could not be ruled out.”

While there may be a ritualistic aspect to this case, there's nothing to lead anyone to believe that these women were bound up or tortured prior to their deaths.

Some serial killers return to the dump site to have sex with the dead bodies. Judging by the location of where these women were found that particular kink can be ruled out.

But the word incapacitated is peculiar. Booze, crack or smack would certainly put someone in a state where they could be rendered somewhat defenseless. But that takes time, and reports indicate that the last two victims (Raffo and Roberts) were planning to return to somewhere within an hour or two.

So how would one go about quickly incapacitating someone? Chloroform would certainly do the trick, a scenario that could easily be enacted within the confines of a vehicle. With the targeted victim now incapacitated, the killer would be free to indulge in his ritualistic fantasies.

As always, just my opinion.

I agree with most of your theories here, that they plausible. Your aerial shot, shows multiple entry points to the back of the Motel. I'm thinking he was a known John, he said he'd procure their drug of choice at the motel. Once there he parked at side of the Motel, incapacitated them and then...

I think the heads facing east is a red herring, it's been done to death but I think it's coincidental from the tidal effect. BTW, what makes you so sure there isn't any necrophilia involved? If it is a Ridgeway copycat???

JMO

The aerial shot

 

[cynical_1]

I think the heads facing east is a red herring, it's been done to death but I think it's coincidental from the tidal effect. BTW, what makes you so sure there isn't any necrophilia involved? If it is a Ridgeway copycat??

In a previous post I did mention that I believed that this guy was a student of Ridgway's. By that I implied that he studied his method of killing and avoiding capture for as long as he did. Ridgway was eventually arrested based on two-decades-old semen of his found in the body of Carol Christensen, an early victim. A fact that I don't think was lost on the AC killer.

All four victims in this case were found fully clothed. In another earlier post, I mentioned that John Kelly, a criminal profiler familiar with the case noted that he found it odd that all the victims were clothed. To him it indicated that there was no sex involved.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Now that you brought up red herrings, I've also post a blurb about my belief that the Golden Key is the biggest one in this case. The most well known suspect is Terry Oleson who worked as a maintenance man at the Golden Key and stayed at room 127 during the time of the murders.

If anyone had knowledge of parties lasting for days at the motel with sex workers constantly coming and going it would be him. And who would have a bigger motive to point that out to law enforcement. But the authorities had long since dismissed that notion by the time they brought him in for questioning a few months after the discovery of the bodies.

 

[da fino]

i believe the nj.com article "cleared" T.O. since his DNA did not match that found under Raffo's nails.

i wonder if the north jersey doctor she was last known to be with submitted to dna testing?

 

[cynical_1]

i believe the nj.com article "cleared" T.O. since his DNA did not match that found under Raffo's nails.

i wonder if the north jersey doctor she was last known to be with submitted to dna testing?

I think that every poi in this case has been cleared in one way or another.

Surveillance cameras at the Taj Mahal appeared to show Ms. Raffo leaving the premises alone. Indications are that he was fully cooperative with law enforcement.

 

[The Nomad]

In a previous post I did mention that I believed that this guy was a student of Ridgway's. By that I implied that he studied his method of killing and avoiding capture for as long as he did. Ridgway was eventually arrested based on two-decades-old semen of his found in the body of Carol Christensen, an early victim. A fact that I don't think was lost on the AC killer.

All four victims in this case were found fully clothed. In another earlier post, I mentioned that John Kelly, a criminal profiler familiar with the case noted that he found it odd that all the victims were clothed. To him it indicated that there was no sex involved.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Now that you brought up red herrings, I've also post a blurb about my belief that the Golden Key is the biggest one in this case. The most well known suspect is Terry Oleson who worked as a maintenance man at the Golden Key and stayed at room 127 during the time of the murders.

If anyone had knowledge of parties lasting for days at the motel with sex workers constantly coming and going it would be him. And who would have a bigger motive to point that out to law enforcement. But the authorities had long since dismissed that notion by the time they brought him in for questioning a few months after the discovery of the bodies.

Ah good points well made. However my point wasn't around parties at the motel. I was thinking around the stalking angle. That he bumped into them, feigned surprise (similar to bundy approach) offered to procure what they wanted. Drove them to the Motel.

Its a theory based on my own thoughts. I have nothing to back this up. Perhaps I've watched too many documentaries.

 

[cynical_1]

Ah good points well made. However my point wasn't around parties at the motel. I was thinking around the stalking angle. That he bumped into them, feigned surprise (similar to bundy approach) offered to procure what they wanted. Drove them to the Motel.

Its a theory based on my own thoughts. I have nothing to back this up. Perhaps I've watched too many documentaries.

Please feel free to expand on your theory. One thing is certain in that someone drove them to that motel.

 

[cynical_1]

In late 2013 – early 2014 the bodies of two women were found in Atlantic County, NJ that immediately led to speculation that the individual responsible for the 2006 murders was active again. It was on that premise that I joined Websleuths and started posting about that possibility.

Authorities quickly arrested and charged an individual for the murder of Tara Rogers-Alicea whose remains had been found inside a suitcase. But that still leaves open the question of who was responsible for the murder of Joyce Vanderhoff whose body was found on the side of a road on Feb 14th, 2014.

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?235198-NJ-Joyce-Vanderhoff-25-Hamilton-Township-14-Feb-2014

Sometime afterwards I was approached by the producers of The Killing Season and asked to expand upon my belief that Ms. Vanderhoff's murder may have been committed by the same person who placed four dead women in the ditch behind the Golden Key motel. I agreed on the condition that I remain anonymous.

The reason that I insisted on anonymity is that I, and others who share the same opinion, believe that there is a possibility that this serial killer, dubbed The Eastbound Strangler, is living in and possibility still active in the AC area.

Are there other cases that would lead one to that belief? Actually there are, a few right here on websleuths:

Franchesca Alvarado:
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?167189-PA-Franchesca-Alvarado-22-Philadelphia-17-March-2012

Maria Morales:
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?294005-NJ-Atlantic-City-Female-body-in-hotel-Nov-15-Maria-Guzman-Morales

This last incident is quite sketchy as there's so little information available. In fairness, I can't actually say for a fact if it was ever officially deemed a homicide. These are just a few of the cases that have come to the attention of websleuths members. Perhaps there are others that have not.

The point I'm trying to make is that the AC area will continue to have the dark cloud of the 2006 murders hanging over it's head until such time that the case is actually solved, if it ever is. Personally, I don't fault law enforcement as I believe that they've made ever effort to resolve these cases as quickly as possible. Perhaps they could be a little more forthcoming in involving the public.

I also wonder if perhaps the person responsible for the 2006 murders, and possibly others, acted out on some beef he had with Atlantic County, NJ that somehow triggered that killing spree. Perhaps it was an an arrest, a foreclosure or loss of a job that set him off. It's a shame, actually, because AC is such a great place to have fun.

For the record, I don't happen to believe that the 2006 murders are connected to the Long Island cases. And kudos to Josh & Rachel for highlighting the case of Ms. Vanderhoff. Perhaps one day the families of victims who have suffered in silence will get the justice that has so far eluded them. One can only hope.

As always, just my opinion.

 

[The Nomad]

Sorry @Cynical_1 - I kinda left you hanging there. I don't blame you for wanting to remain anonymous, especially if you fear he may come after someone on these boards.

I'm undecided whether the AC4 and GB4 are related - In lots of ways they are connected, in others not so much. One thing I do genuinely believe (and it's my opinion), is that the GB4 and the rest of the remains scattered around LI are not related. However with AC4 and GB4, I can't rule it out in my mind they are related, it's a possibility they are.

However, the main reason for my reply is around you asking me to expand on my theory regarding the stalking angle, I don't have much more to give other than it's possible that he knew there drug of choice, he knew that the girls were having trouble getting it, he's sourced it for them/claimed he could source it for them.

Now this is just a theory - he could have met them in the street, or they could have called him (unlikely though as I'm sure the phone records have been checked to see any matches), asked if they were ok, the suggested they needed a hit rather than a trick at that time. He said he knew a place where he could get it, they got in the car and ended up at the Golden Key Motel.

Now I'm pretty sure the girls would have been familiar with this place so alarm bells may not have been ringing, therefore when he parked at the side they simply thought nothing was a miss. He used chloroform (or some other incapacitating agent) once parked and then just carried out a killing.

I do thinking if AC4 and GB4 are related, then AC4 may have been his first or second trophy garden. The fact that GB4 were found naked against the AC4 who weren't, perhaps he was getting bolder, needed more of a thrill from the next hit (similar to a junkie, the next hit is never as good as the first so you look for something new/harder). However with the bodies being found, he's still making mistakes. I believe the killer is still out there for both these sets of crimes, however the next trophy garden found in the future, may only have 1 or 2 bodies, he's learning that eventually these places are found so won't take as many risks.

Like you say sir - Just an opinion.

 

[cynical_1]

However, the main reason for my reply is around you asking me to expand on my theory regarding the stalking angle, I don't have much more to give other than it's possible that he knew there drug of choice, he knew that the girls were having trouble getting it, he's sourced it for them/claimed he could source it for them.

Now this is just a theory - he could have met them in the street, or they could have called him (unlikely though as I'm sure the phone records have been checked to see any matches), asked if they were ok, the suggested they needed a hit rather than a trick at that time. He said he knew a place where he could get it, they got in the car and ended up at the Golden Key Motel.

You've made a few valid and interesting points. For starters I'll just address the one point that I believe we can both agree on. Namely the stalking. In fairness, others on this thread, and another related one, came to the same conclusion a few years back. The most recent article addressing this subject on NJ.com (link below) only appears to confirm everyone's suspicions. That three of the victims possibly knew their killer and unknowingly stepped into his trap.

According to the last people who saw the respective victims alive, they were each leaving on an errand that would take no longer than an hour or two. Two of the three stated their intention to return.

Victim #2: Barbara Breidor
“By mid-October, her behavior had become so unpredictable that when she failed to return from a two-hour errand, friends waited weeks before notifying the police.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/05/nyregion/05slay.html

Victim #3: Tracy Ann Roberts
“Sometime in mid-November, a street hustler named Dante said he went clothes shopping with Tracy Roberts. She bought the outfit she was wearing when her body was found. 'She said, “I'll be back in like a hour,”' Dante remembers. 'She never came back.'”
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/beyond-the-boardwalk/4/

Victim #4: Kim Raffo
“One day before her death, Raffo was with a customer, a North Jersey doctor, who had a room at the now-shuttered Trump Taj Mahal. At about 5 a.m. on Nov. 19, the law enforcement official said, Raffo told the man she was going out to buy drugs and would return. When she did not, the doctor called her several times, receiving *no answer.”
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/11/10_years_later_the_atlantic_city_serial_killer_rem.html

One conclusion that I've reached after reading these articles is that not only were the victims being stalked but that they may have been meeting up with the killer at a prearranged time and location. All three suddenly stopped what they were doing to run a one or two hour errand. Why?

Now these women are street smart, right? I find it hard to believe that all three would meet up with an individual who would supply them with their drug of choice simply for the pleasure of their company. Something else had to be involved.

To me, a commonality between the three scenarios listed above suggests the possibility of a quid pro quo arrangement. Of course sex would be the first thing that comes to mind. But I don't think that's the answer. I'm getting the feeling that each of the three women had something in their possession, besides money, that they were exchanging for drugs/alcohol. An exchange that had been planned in advance.

As always, just my opinion.

 

[Aleph]

You've made a few valid and interesting points. For starters I'll just address the one point that I believe we can both agree on. Namely the stalking. In fairness, others on this thread, and another related one, came to the same conclusion a few years back. The most recent article addressing this subject on NJ.com (link below) only appears to confirm everyone's suspicions. That three of the victims possibly knew their killer and unknowingly stepped into his trap.

According to the last people who saw the respective victims alive, they were each leaving on an errand that would take no longer than an hour or two. Two of the three stated their intention to return.

Victim #2: Barbara Breidor
“By mid-October, her behavior had become so unpredictable that when she failed to return from a two-hour errand, friends waited weeks before notifying the police.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/05/nyregion/05slay.html

Victim #3: Tracy Ann Roberts
“Sometime in mid-November, a street hustler named Dante said he went clothes shopping with Tracy Roberts. She bought the outfit she was wearing when her body was found. 'She said, “I'll be back in like a hour,”' Dante remembers. 'She never came back.'”
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/beyond-the-boardwalk/4/

Victim #4: Kim Raffo
“One day before her death, Raffo was with a customer, a North Jersey doctor, who had a room at the now-shuttered Trump Taj Mahal. At about 5 a.m. on Nov. 19, the law enforcement official said, Raffo told the man she was going out to buy drugs and would return. When she did not, the doctor called her several times, receiving *no answer.”
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/11/10_years_later_the_atlantic_city_serial_killer_rem.html

One conclusion that I've reached after reading these articles is that not only were the victims being stalked but that they may have been meeting up with the killer at a prearranged time and location. All three suddenly stopped what they were doing to run a one or two hour errand. Why?

Now these women are street smart, right? I find it hard to believe that all three would meet up with an individual who would supply them with their drug of choice simply for the pleasure of their company. Something else had to be involved.

To me, a commonality between the three scenarios listed above suggests the possibility of a quid pro quo arrangement. Of course sex would be the first thing that comes to mind. But I don't think that's the answer. I'm getting the feeling that each of the three women had something in their possession, besides money, that they were exchanging for drugs/alcohol. An exchange that had been planned in advance.

As always, just my opinion.

The possible stalking behavior strengthens the case (for me) that this is LISK. I don't know of any other SK who killed off-duty sex workers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[da fino]

just my opinion, but in all of three cases, i am assuming that the "errand" is either getting drugs or meeting a regular john for a trick. potentially both.

people that are seriously addicted to hardcore drugs don't take care of responsibilities they way most people do. and not likely without being more specific about what the actual errand was.