Malik Samartaney

Serial Killer

Malik Samartaney: A History of Murder and Domestic Violence

Background

Malik Samartaney, born Lawrence Banks on June 7, 1953, is an American serial killer whose documented violence stretched across more than four decades in Maryland. Before adopting the name Malik Samartaney, he was commonly known as Lawrence "Marty" Banks. His criminal history was marked by repeated attacks against relatives, intimate partners, acquaintances and even his own children. He was ultimately convicted of three murders, while investigators also considered him a suspect in three additional deaths. Samartaney's violence was not limited to isolated confrontations. Records from different periods of his life describe threats, assaults, shootings and allegations of abuse occurring whenever family members or other people challenged him. His confirmed victims included a drinking companion, his teenage son and his adult daughter. The long intervals between his convictions were largely caused by years spent in prison, rather than by a permanent end to his violent behavior.

Early Violence Against His Family

On July 3, 1975, Samartaney, then known as Lawrence Banks, reportedly placed a knife against the throat of his wife, Vivian Banks, and dragged her through their home. Vivian told police that her husband had threatened to kill her, but she later requested that the charges be dropped. The incident became an early warning of the violence that would continue to surround the family. On December 27, 1975, during another argument with Vivian, Banks attacked their seven-month-old daughter, Dominique. According to the prosecution, he threatened to do something to the infant that both mother and child would regret before throwing Dominique through a glass door. The baby suffered severe cuts and required approximately 22 stitches. Banks claimed the injury was accidental, but he was convicted of assault with intent to disfigure and received a 15-year prison sentence. While Banks was free on bail in that assault case, Vivian disappeared from public view. Her badly decomposed body was later discovered inside a closet in the apartment where she had been staying. Investigators suspected Banks, particularly because of his prior threats and violence against her. However, decomposition prevented medical examiners from establishing a definitive cause of death, and he was never charged with killing Vivian. ...

Confirmed Victims: (4)

Michael Chisholm Age: (36), Date of Death: 1991-11-19

Suspected Victims:

Lisa Brown Age: (22), Date of Death: 2001-01

Vivian Banks Age: (22), Date of Death: 1976

Malik Samartaney - Wikipedia