"Family Man" Grim Sleeper Who Kept Photos Of ALL His Victims

During the late 1970s and the 1980s, a massive crime wave swept through major cities in the United States. Los Angeles, in particular, became a notorious hotspot for serial killers. Amidst infamous names like the Hillside Strangler and the Night Stalker, one name stood out for his heinous acts masked by a façade of normalcy – Lonnie Franklin Jr., better known as the Grim Sleeper.

The Crime Wave and Neglect

Los Angeles in the 1980s was a city grappling with chaos. The advent of crack cocaine devastated communities, and industry jobs that once supported neighborhoods were disappearing. Amidst this turmoil, over 50 black women were found dead in South Los Angeles alone, according to LA Weekly. Despite the alarming number of victims, police efforts to catch the perpetrators seemed inadequate. Many cases shared striking similarities but were not being connected. Frustration grew as the community questioned how much the police actually cared about protecting this part of town.

Lonnie Franklin Jr.: Early Life and Army Days

Lonnie Franklin Jr.'s early life offered little indication of the monster he would become. Born on August 30, 1952, Franklin grew up in South Central Los Angeles. As a child, he suffered from migraines and struggled in school but found solace and a sense of purpose in cars, learning to drive at the age of seven and later working as a mechanic. Despite his charm and friendliness, Franklin's early years also included brushes with the law, including arrests for grand theft auto and burglary.

At the age of 21, Franklin joined the Army and was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany. It was there, on April 17, 1974, that Franklin and two Army buddies raped a 17-year-old girl named Ingrid. They had lured her into their car, assaulted her, and photographed the ordeal. Ingrid's quick thinking and bravery led to Franklin's arrest after she convinced him to give her his phone number. Although convicted, Franklin was released within a year for reasons that remain unclear.

Return to Los Angeles and Double Life

Upon his return to Los Angeles, Franklin lived with his parents and worked various jobs, including as a garage attendant for the LAPD and later as a sanitation worker. In his community, Franklin was well-liked and known for his willingness to help neighbors, contributing to a false sense of safety around him.

The Killing Spree

Franklin's killing spree began in the mid-1980s. His first known victim was Debra Jackson, a 29-year-old woman found dead in an alley on August 10, 1985. Over the next three years, Franklin continued to kill, targeting vulnerable women, many of whom were sex workers or drug users. Victims were found shot with a .25 caliber gun, often hidden under mattresses or in dumpsters near Franklin's home.

Despite the clear patterns, the LAPD failed to connect the dots. The victims included Henrietta Wright, Barbara Ware, Bernita Sparks, Mary Lowe, Lachrica Jefferson, and Alicia Alexander. Franklin's methodical approach and the systemic neglect of the victims, largely due to their marginalized status, allowed him to continue his killing spree unchecked.

The Survivor: Enietra Washington

Enietra Washington's encounter with Franklin in 1988 provided critical evidence. Franklin had offered her a ride, and after initial refusals, Washington agreed, feeling guilty for being rude. Once in the car, Franklin shot her in the chest and sexually assaulted her, photographing the ordeal. Miraculously, Washington survived and was able to give a detailed description of Franklin and his car to the police. However, her case was not linked to the other murders, and Franklin continued his activities.

Community Action and Police Neglect

The community's frustration with the police's inaction led to the formation of the Black Coalition Fighting Black Serial Killers, spearheaded by Margaret Prescod. They canvassed neighborhoods, distributed flyers, and pressured the police, but progress remained slow. The police's dismissive attitude towards the victims, many of whom were marginalized, compounded the problem.

The Breakthrough: DNA Technology

The advent of DNA testing in the early 2000s marked a turning point. DNA from the old cases was re-examined, revealing connections between many of the murders. In 2007, the murder of Janecia Peters reignited public interest, leading to the realization that the same person was responsible for multiple murders spanning decades.

Familial DNA Search and Arrest

In 2010, a familial DNA search linked the crimes to Christopher Franklin, Lonnie Franklin's son, who had been swabbed for DNA during a weapons charge in 2009. This led investigators to Lonnie Franklin Jr. Under surveillance, police eventually collected Franklin's DNA from discarded pizza crusts, which matched DNA found on the victims.

Trial and Conviction

Franklin was arrested on July 7, 2010, and his home search yielded a .25 caliber handgun and hundreds of photographs of women, including Enietra Washington. Despite maintaining his innocence, Franklin was convicted on ten counts of murder in 2016, with evidence suggesting he may have been responsible for at least 25 murders. During the trial, Enietra Washington and Ingrid from Germany testified against him.

Death and Legacy

Lonnie Franklin Jr. was sentenced to death but died in his prison cell in 2020 before his execution. The exact cause of death remains unknown. His case highlights the failures of the justice system in protecting marginalized communities and the enduring impact of systemic neglect.

Conclusion

Franklin's ability to evade capture for so long serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of indifference and the vital role of DNA technology in modern investigations. The families of Franklin's victims continue to seek closure, haunted by the thought that there may be more undiscovered victims of his brutal crimes.