Denver Prostitute Killer
Denver Prostitute Killer | |
---|---|
Born | Billy Edwin Reid |
Criminal penalty | Life Imprisonment |
Details | |
Victims | 17–27 |
Span of crimes | 1975–1995 |
Country | United States |
State(s) | Colorado |
Date apprehended | 1989 |
Imprisoned at | life |
The Denver Prostitute Killer was an unidentified American
Murders
The killer chose young girls and women, aged 15–25, as his victims, most of whom went missing in different areas in Denver and were later found dead. A common pattern was for them to be
Other victims include 17-year-old
In all of the killings, the murderer had the same modus operandi, and it is supposed that he committed seven similar murders in Denver, five in Jefferson County and one in Larimer County.[1][5]
Investigation
Since the bodies of many of the Prostitute Killer's victims were found at various stages of decomposition, any fingerprints or biological traces of the suspect could not be located quickly enough, and therefore, the killer's identity is still unknown. A local resident, who was about 30 at the time of the first killings and knew the neighborhood well, was declared a suspect, but never charged. In two instances, police found witnesses who described the criminal as a middle-aged white male.
In 2005, based upon results from DNA profiling, 52-year-old Billy Edwin Reid was arrested and charged with the 1989 murders of Lannell Williams and Lisa Kelly. Reid was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. He is suspected of committing several more murders, including some committed by the Denver Prostitute Killer, but no evidence incriminating him has been located.[1]
Another possible suspect is Vincent Groves, a man linked to several murders in Denver almost two decades after his death. According to the Denver Police Department, Groves could have been responsible for more than 20 murders of young girls and women in the area, around the same time frame when the Prostitute Killer was active.[6]
See also
- Denver Strangler - another unidentified serial killer active from 1894–1903
- List of fugitives from justice who disappeared
- List of serial killers in the United States
References
- ^ a b c d "Serial killers worked Denver streets from '75 to '95, police say". September 1, 2012.
- ^ "Clunky car led to murder of 18-year-old Karolyn Walker". September 1, 2012.
- ^ "79-8948 Kimberly Grabin Age: 17 Date of Disappearance: Date of Discovery: 08/18/79".
- ^ "Stephanie Ann Bauman Age: 15 Date of Death: October 28, 1980 Location: County Road 173, 5 miles South of US 36".
- ^ "Colorado investigators suspect serial killings in unsolved cases". September 3, 2012.
- ^ "Colo. Authorities: Deceased serial killer Vincent Groves may have had up to 20 victims from 1970s - '80s". www.cbsnews.com. 7 March 2012.