Lonnie David Franklin Jr.: The Grim Sleeper
Introduction
Lonnie David Franklin Jr., infamously known as the "Grim Sleeper," was an American serial killer who terrorized Los Angeles, California, over several decades. His moniker stemmed from an apparent 14-year gap in his known killings, from 1988 to 2002. However, investigators believe he may have committed many more murders during that time. Franklin targeted vulnerable women, often sex workers or those struggling with addiction, luring them in before brutally killing them.
Crimes and Modus Operandi
Franklin’s killing spree stretched from 1984 to 2007, and he primarily operated in South Los Angeles. His method typically involved shooting or strangling his victims before discarding their bodies in alleys, dumpsters, or abandoned locations. Many of the victims were sexually assaulted, and forensic evidence linked Franklin to multiple cases through DNA and ballistics.
Victims
The following is a list of known victims attributed to Franklin:
- Debra Jackson – August 10, 1985, found shot three times in the chest in an alley.
- Henrietta Wright – August 12, 1986, discovered shot in the chest, wrapped in a carpet.
- Barbara Ware – January 10, 1987, found shot in the chest and dumped in an alley.
- Bernita Sparks – April 15, 1987, shot, strangled, and left in a dumpster.
- Mary Lowe – November 1, 1987, found shot and left near a schoolyard.
- Lachrica Jefferson – January 30, 1988, shot twice and wrapped in a blanket.
- Alicia Alexander – September 11, 1988, shot and left in an alley.
- Princess Berthomieux – March 19, 2002, strangled and left in Inglewood.
- Valerie McCorvey – July 11, 2003, strangled and dumped in an alley.
- Janecia Peters – January 1, 2007, shot and placed inside a garbage bag.
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Account
