Waldo Grant

Serial Killer

Waldo Grant: The Quiet Loner and His Crimes

Early Life and Background

Waldo Grant was born on November 3, 1946, in Bulloch County, Georgia, as one of fifteen children to Jerome and Mattie Rucker Grant. Raised in Statesboro, he became a self-ordained minister for a black gospel church at the age of 16. In 1971, following a failed marriage, Grant relocated to New York City, settling into an apartment on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Neighbors described him as a quiet loner, though he was known within the local gay community.

The Murders

Between 1973 and 1976, Grant committed a series of brutal murders targeting young men in New York City. His known victims include:

• Phillip Mitchell – On September 13, 1973, 20-year-old Phillip Mitchell was bludgeoned with a lead pipe by Grant. Attempting to stage the murder as an accident, Grant dragged Mitchell's body to the roof of 203 West 91st Street and threw it into a rear yard. Grant claimed the altercation arose after Mitchell demanded money post-sex and began searching through Grant's belongings, though this claim remains unsubstantiated. Despite questioning residents, including Grant, no arrests were made at the time.
• George Muniz – Nearly two years later, the body of 23-year-old George Muniz was discovered in a metal trash can in front of 210 West 91st Street, close to Grant's apartment. Muniz had been stabbed multiple times in the throat and back.
• Harold Phillips – On October 3, 1976, 22-year-old Harold Phillips was found beaten to death with a hammer in his apartment at 27 East 124th Street.
• Harry Carillo – On December 29, 1976, the dismembered body of 16-year-old Harry Carillo was discovered by children in Central Park. Grant, who had known Carillo for about six months, had dismembered the body into three parts, placed them in green garbage bags, and transported them to the park using a shopping cart.

Investigation and Arrest

Grant became a suspect following the discovery of Carillo's body, as he was the last person seen with the victim. After multiple interrogations over two weeks, Grant was presented with circumstantial evidence linking him to the crime. On January 10, 1977, after five hours of questioning, he confessed to Carillo's murder, stating, "Harry is very attractive to me and I desire him very much and that was the only way I could get him." He subsequently confessed to the other three murders, citing an "uncontrollable urge to kill." ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (4)

Phillip Mitchell Age: (20), Date of Death: 1973-09-13

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Waldo Grant - Wikipedia

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