“Grim Sleeper” Investigative Update: More Potential Victims May Now Be Connected to the Case – NR11144kr

Los Angeles:  This afternoon at a news conference, Los Angeles Police Department, Robbery- Homicide detectives provided some new information regarding the ongoing investigation of the well-known “Grim Sleeper” murder case.

Investigators are now focused on eight females of which six are reported as missing persons.  The seventh female is an unsolved murder victim and the eighth is still unidentified.  Of the six missing females, four of them weren’t previously connected to the investigation until they were reported to 800 Task Force detective’s after suspect Franklin’s arrest.

Detectives displayed photographs of the six missing women identified by name and last known location. Three of them were connected to the case by evidence recovered at Franklin’s residence. Information uncovered related to the four other missing women indicated they had similar lifestyles as the confirmed victims and each of them had frequented Franklin’s neighborhood prior to their disappearance. The women were reported missing as far back as 1982, with the most recent in 2005. The six missing women whose photos were displayed have been identified as follows:

To see photos, click the below names.

18-year-old Ayellah Marshall, missing since February 2005
29-year-old Rolenia Morris, missing since September 2005
33-year-old Cathern or Catherine Davis, missing since June 1982
27-year-old Rosalind Giles, missing since January 1991
29-year-old Lisa Knox, missing since August 1993
37-year-old Anita Parker, missing since November 1988

The seventh woman detectives think may be connected to the case is Inez Warren, the victim of an unsolved murder committed in 1988. Warren’s murder is marked by similarities to the others that Franklin is charged with, but detectives need additional information before they can confirm a connection to him.

The eighth individual is an unidentified person, previously listed as #117.  She too was found to have a direct connection to evidence recovered at Franklin’s residence.  This person’s identity remains unknown and detectives have made a plea for anyone who recognizes her to contact them.

Fifty-five unidentified photographs taken from Franklin’s residence in July 2010 were displayed.  Detectives still need the public’s help to determine who and where they are so they can either be eliminated or added as a victim.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Department’s robbery homicide detectives on a toll- free hotline, 1-877-LAPD-24-7.   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone 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.