206 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
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Description
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Gary Ray Bowles: The I-95 Killer

Early Life

Gary Ray Bowles was born on January 25, 1962, in Clifton Forge, Virginia. He was raised in Rupert, West Virginia. His father, Frank, died from black lung disease six months before Bowles was born. His mother, Frances, remarried several times, and Bowles was abused by his second stepfather, a violent alcoholic who also abused Bowles' mother and older brother. The abuse continued until Bowles fought back at the age of 13, severely injuring his stepfather. He left home soon thereafter, angered by his mother's decision to remain in the marriage.

Criminal History

Bowles was homeless for several years, earning money as a prostitute to men. In 1982, he was arrested for beating and sexually assaulting his girlfriend and was sentenced to six years in prison. After his release, he was convicted of unarmed robbery in 1991 and sentenced to four more years in prison, serving two.

Murders

Gary Ray Bowles' killing spree began in March 1994 and lasted until November 1994. He targeted gay men, earning him the moniker "The I-95 Killer" as most of his victims lived close to the Interstate 95 highway. His modus operandi involved prostituting himself to his victims before beating and strangling them, then stealing their credit cards. ...Read More
Victims
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Confirmed Victims: (6)
  • John Hardy Roberts Age: (59), Date of Death: March 15, 1994
  •     ...View 5 additional victims
    Links to Additional Sources (10)
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    Killer's Details

    Gary Ray

    Bowles

    January 25, 1962 Clifton Forge, Virginia, United States

    August 22, 2019 (aged 57) Starke, Florida, United States

    Executed by lethal injection

    Timothy Ronald Whitfield

    Male

    White

    The I-95 Killer

    Sexual assault, Unarmed robbery, Murder (First degree)

    Death

    6+

    March 1994 - October 1994

    Florida, Georgia, Maryland

    November 22, 1994

    Florida State Prison — Bradford County, Florida

    07/03/2025