The Skid Row Stabber: A Detailed Account of the Unsolved Murders
Introduction
Between 1978 and 1979, the Los Angeles neighborhood of Skid Row was terrorized by a series of brutal stabbings. An unidentified assailant, later dubbed the "Skid Row Stabber," targeted vulnerable individuals, primarily the homeless, leaving a trail of fear and uncertainty in the community. Despite extensive investigations, the true identity of the Skid Row Stabber remains unknown.
The Crimes
The Skid Row Stabber's attacks were characterized by sudden and lethal stabbings, often occurring in the early hours of the morning. The assailant selected victims who were alone and defenseless, making it challenging for authorities to gather eyewitness accounts or immediate leads. The following is a chronological list of the known victims, detailing their names, ages, dates of death, and locations where available:
- Jesse Martinez, 50 years old – October 23, 1978
- Jose Cortez, 32 years old – October 28, 1978
- Bruce Emmett Drake, 46 years old – October 30, 1978
- J.P. Henderson, 65 years old – November 4, 1978
- David Martin Jones, 39 years old – November 9, 1978; attacked near the Los Angeles downtown public library
- Francisco Perez Rodriguez, 57 years old – November 11, 1978
- Frank Floyd Reed, 36 years old – November 12, 1978
- Augustine Luna, 49 years old – November 12, 1978
- Melford Fletcher, also known as Jimmy White Buffalo, 34 years old – November 17, 1978
- Frank Garcia, 45 years old – November 23, 1978; found on a bench outside Los Angeles City Hall
- Luis Alvarez, 26 years old – January 21, 1979
These attacks instilled widespread fear throughout Skid Row, leading to increased police patrols and community vigilance.
Investigation and Suspect
The Los Angeles Police Department launched an extensive investigation to apprehend the perpetrator. In April 1979, authorities arrested 29-year-old Bobby Joe Maxwell, a drifter with a criminal record who frequented the Skid Row area. The case against Maxwell was largely circumstantial:
- A palm print matching Maxwell's was found on a bench near the location where Frank Garcia's body was discovered.
- A jailhouse informant, Sidney Storch, claimed that Maxwell had confessed to the murders while in custody.
Despite the lack of direct evidence, Maxwell was convicted in 1984 for two of the murders and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
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