Artiss Ann Wick, a 20-year-old woman, was tragically murdered on March 27, 1984. Her skeletal remains were discovered months later, on November 22, 1984, in rural southern Hillsborough County, Florida. The circumstances surrounding her death were part of a larger pattern of violence committed by Bobby Joe Long, a serial killer who terrorized the Tampa Bay area during that time.
Long abducted and murdered multiple women, leaving behind a trail of devastation.
Wick was the first known victim in Long’s eight-month killing spree. His modus operandi involved targeting women, often those engaged in vulnerable professions, and subjecting them to brutal assaults before ultimately taking their lives. The victims were frequently strangled, bludgeoned, or had their throats slit. Law enforcement struggled to piece together the case until Lisa McVey, a survivor of Long’s attacks, provided crucial evidence that led to his capture. McVey, who was abducted and assaulted by Long, managed to leave behind forensic clues that helped authorities track him down.
Following his arrest, Long confessed to his crimes and was convicted of multiple murders, including that of Artiss Ann Wick. He received 28 life sentences and one death sentence for the murder of another victim, Michelle Simms. After spending decades on death row, Long was executed by lethal injection on May 23, 2019. His execution was witnessed by McVey and other individuals affected by his crimes, marking the end of a dark chapter in Florida’s history.
The case of Artiss Ann Wick remains a somber reminder of the dangers posed by violent offenders and the resilience of those who fight for justice. Her tragic death, along with those of Long’s other victims, underscores the importance of vigilance and the tireless efforts of law enforcement in bringing perpetrators to justice.
