Annie Lee Stewart, also known as Anna Stewart, was a 32-year-old woman who was murdered on October 11, 1981, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her body was later discovered in Grove City, Ohio, in a wooded area behind an apartment complex on October 12, 1981. The cause of death was determined to be manual strangulation.
Samuel Little, a notorious serial killer who has confessed to over 90 murders across the United States, was indicted for Stewart's murder decades later.
Little admitted to strangling Stewart in Cincinnati before transporting her body to Grove City, where he disposed of it. His confession came as part of a broader investigation into his crimes, which spanned multiple states and made him one of the most prolific serial killers in American history.
Authorities indicted Little on one count of murder in connection with Stewart's death. The indictment was announced by Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters and Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien. If convicted, Little faced a sentence of 15 years to life in prison. At the time of his indictment, he was already serving three consecutive life sentences in California for the murders of three women in Los Angeles, which were linked to him through DNA evidence.
Little's killing spree targeted vulnerable women, often those who were marginalized or struggling with addiction. His method of murder was consistent—strangulation—and he later described his crimes in chilling detail to investigators. His confessions helped law enforcement agencies across the country close numerous cold cases, including Stewart's.
The investigation into Stewart's murder was part of a larger effort to identify and bring justice to Little's victims. Authorities worked with forensic experts to examine old autopsy reports and match them to his confessions. His case underscored the importance of revisiting unsolved crimes and leveraging advancements in forensic science to hold perpetrators accountable.
Stewart's murder was one of many that remained unsolved for decades until Little's confessions provided crucial details. His admissions led to multiple indictments and helped bring closure to the families of his victims.
