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Composite Sketch of South LA Serial Murderer Suspect
Click here to view the LAPD Bulletin, issued December 2009.
Suspect description: Male, Black, black/grey hair, 45-60 yrs., 5’8”-5’10”
When providing information, please refer to DR #881239255. Anyone with information concerning this crime is asked to contact 800 Task Force Detectives, Robbery-Homicide Division, at (213) 486-6830, during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, between 8:00a.m.-5:00 p.m.). During non-business hours, weekends and holidays, contact the Detective Information Desk at the 24-hour, toll-free number at 877 LAPD 247 (877-527-3247). To send cell phone text tips, text the word “LAPD” and your message to CRIMES (274637). To send web tips, log onto www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.”
This is what the "Grim Sleeper" may have looked like 20 years ago. The sketch was made according to a description given by the sole surviving victim and was finally released in 2009.
Known victims of the serial murders in South LA
Barbara Ware
1987
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Bernita Sparks
1987
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Deborah Jackson
1985
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Janecia Peters
2007 |
Mary Lowe
1987 |
Monique Alicia Alexander
1988 |
Princess Berthomieux
2002 |
Valerie McCorvey
2003 |
Lachrica Jeffersone
1988 |
Henrietta Wright
1985 |
Thomas Steele
1987 |
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Did you know that the serial murders of Black women* have been going on unresolved in South L.A. since the 1980s? Law enforcement has divided the murders into three sets, but the time periods overlap and it isn’t even clear how many women have actually lost their lives in this brutal and vicious way.
Because the killings were not connected as serial murders, the tragic enormity of the situation has been hidden and downplayed, and vital evidence, connections and patterns may have been missed. Public and media attention which would have been greater if the total numbers of deaths had been known, would have spurred the police into a more vigorous investigation. Lives might have been saved and the community better protected from further attacks.
Families of several of the victims were never notified by law enforcement that their loved ones were killed by a serial murderer—and neither was the lone survivor of the attacks. Each was made to believe that it had been a random killer. Many families had to learn from press articles or from television! Crucial patterns of evidence have been missed.
Why was so little done in 20 years to solve these murders? If the murders had not happened in South L.A. against working-class Black women but in Beverly Hills or some other affluent neighborhood would they have been handled with the same lack of care and seriousness, would they be so under-reported by the media? What do you think?Recent Updates
November 21 Community Forum
Black Coalition held a forum at Amistad Plaza Housing Complex on November 21 to update the community on progress in the South LA serial murders investigation.
Fox News Coverage of Grim Sleeper Composite Sketch Release
Read the article here.
Composite Sketch Finally Released
After 20 years of pressure from the community, LAPD finally released this composite sketch of the South LA serial murderer suspect, known as the “Grim Sleeper.”
Suspect description: Male, Black, black hair (neatly trimmed), 20-30 yrs., 5′8″ -5′10″, 160 lbs, pock-marked face, soft spoken and articulate.
Please take note that this is a composite of the suspect [...]
Saturday November 21 Community Forum
Did you know that serial murders of Black women and one Black man have been going on in South L.A. for more than 20 years? The last known victim was found on January 1, 2007; the youngest victim was 14 years old.
Come find out what has, and hasn’t, been done by city and county officials.
Hear [...]
Thursday May 28
Concerned community members and some family members of victims of the South L.A. Serial Murderer dubbed the “Grim Sleeper” held a press conference and vigil on Thursday May 28, at 5:30 pm outside Parker Center on Los Angeles Street in downtown L.A. The event honored the victims and showed support for their loved ones, as [...]