Linwood Earl Forte

Serial Killer

Linwood Earl Forte: The Nightstalker of Goldsboro

Overview

Linwood Earl Forte, born on July 25, 1964, is an American serial killer and rapist known as "The Nightstalker." He was linked via DNA evidence to a series of rapes and murders committed in Goldsboro, North Carolina, in 1990. Forte primarily targeted elderly individuals, committing heinous crimes that left a lasting impact on the community. He was convicted of his confirmed crimes and subsequently sentenced to death, and is currently awaiting execution.

Crimes and Victims

Forte's criminal activities in 1990 involved a series of brutal attacks on elderly residents in Goldsboro. The known victims include:

• Eliza Jones
  • Age: 70
  • Date of Attack: May 26, 1990
  • Location: Goldsboro, North Carolina
  • Details: In the early morning hours, Jones was found in her bed, bruised, scratched, and struggling to breathe. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted. Sperm was detected in vaginal and rectal smears and on the fitted sheet on Ms. Jones' bed.
• Hattie Davis Bonner
  • Age: 79
  • Date of Death: July 14, 1990
  • Location: Goldsboro, North Carolina
  • Details: Bonner was found suffocated in her bed, having been both manually strangled and suffocated with a pillow. Vaginal swabs revealed the presence of sperm, indicating sexual assault.
• Alvin Bowen
  • Age: 78
  • Date of Death: October 6, 1990
  • Location: Goldsboro, North Carolina
  • Details: Bowen, a retired Southern Bell executive, was discovered in his burning home. He had been stabbed multiple times in the neck and chest before the fire was set.
• Thelma Bowen
  • Age: 75
  • Date of Death: October 6, 1990
  • Location: Goldsboro, North Carolina
  • Details: Thelma, who was blind, was found naked and face down on the floor near her husband's body. She had been strangled and evidence suggested she had been raped.

Investigation and Arrest

The sudden increase in murders alarmed Goldsboro residents, leading to rumors of a serial killer. Initially, local police rejected this hypothesis, but as similarities between the cases emerged—such as the victims being elderly and attacks occurring around midnight—the possibility of a serial offender became apparent. Despite the lack of immediate leads, evidence from the crime scenes was preserved. In 1996, Forte was convicted of firing a gun inside his home in Dudley, North Carolina. As a convicted felon, he was required to submit a DNA sample, which was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Five years later, in 2001, his DNA was matched to evidence from the unsolved "Nightstalker" cases. Forte was arrested on April 30, 2001, at his workplace in Dudley. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (4)

Hattie Davis Bonner Age: (79), Date of Death: 1990-07-14

    ...View 3 additional victims
Survivors:

Eliza Jones Age: (70), Date of Attack: 1990-05-26

Episode 75: The NC Nightstalker - Linwood Earl Forte - Spreaker

    ...View 7 additional sources