The Freeway Phantom

Serial Killer

Phantom Freeway Serial Killer

Overview

The Phantom Freeway, also known as the Freeway Phantom, is the pseudonym of an unidentified serial killer who terrorized Washington, D.C., between April 1971 and September 1972. The killer is responsible for the abduction and murder of six young Black girls, leaving their bodies near the I-295 freeway. Despite extensive investigations, the identity of the Freeway Phantom remains unknown.

Victims

• Carol Denise Spinks
  • Date: April 25, 1971
  • Age: 13
  • Details: Abducted while returning from a 7-Eleven store. Her body was found six days later behind St. Elizabeths Hospital, showing signs of physical and sexual assault and strangulation.
• Darlenia Denise Johnson
  • Date: July 8, 1971
  • Age: 16
  • Details: Abducted on her way to her summer job. Her body was found 11 days later near the same location as Spinks, showing evidence of strangulation.
• Brenda Faye Crockett
  • Date: July 27, 1971
  • Age: 10
  • Details: Abducted while running an errand. She made two phone calls to her family, likely at the behest of the killer, before her body was found.
• Nenomoshia Yates
  • Date: October 1, 1971
  • Age: 12
  • Details: Kidnapped, raped, and strangled. Her body was found a few hours later in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
• Brenda Denise Woodard
  • Date: November 15, 1971
  • Age: 18
  • Details: Stabbed and strangled near Prince George’s County Hospital.
• Diane Denise Williams
  • Date: September 5, 1972
  • Age: 17
  • Details: Strangled and her body was found near I-295, just south of the District line.

...

Confirmed Victims: (6)

Carol Denise Spinks Age: (13), Date of Death: 1971-04-25

Freeway Phantom - Wikipedia