AnimeshThe Grim Sleeper
In 2010 (over 2 decades later) Enirtra learned about the serial killer known as the ‘Grim Sleeper’ and that she had been the only survivor of that night. According to the report filed by the police, the grim reaper, whose actual name was Lonnie Franklin Jr., had been targeting only the African American women living in the region of California between the years of 1985 and 2015.
Media Attention
While normally serial killer would receive a ton of media attention and would be quite well known in public as well. But because of the fact that most of the women who fell victim to Franklin’s killing spree were black and had either been drug addicts or prostitutes, little to no media attention was given to this case.
Solving The Murders
However, it was in 2007 when a special task force finally managed to solve this mystery, they collected all the evidence from all the crime scene, including DNA from the victims, ballistic evidence that showed a .25 caliber gun had been used in all the murders. Enietra’s description of her attacker also helped the case a lot.
Finding The Killer
Finally, in 2010, the investigators were finally given the permission to run the DNA evidence through the database. Though they didn’t find any perfect matches, they were able to find some familiarities matching Franklin’s son, Christopher. Who had been arrested for illegal possession of a weapon in 2009. Because of all these findings, Franklin became the prime suspect. The officers managed to obtain Franklin’s DNA in order to confirm if he was indeed the Grim Sleeper.
More Evidence
Following Franklin’s arrest, the police got the warrant to search his home. They discovered more than 1,000 photos of the women who had been his victim. The policeman managed to identify other victims as well. But they still weren’t sure how many victims fell prey to this deranged psychopath. “We certainly don’t believe we are so lucky or so good as to know all of his victims. We need the public’s help,” Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said.
The Trial
It was in 2016 when Franklin finally went under trial for the deaths of Debra Jackson, Bernita Sparks, 25; Mary Lowe, 26; Barbara Ware, 23; Alicia Alexander, 18; Princess Berthomieux,15; Lachrica Jefferson, 22; 29; Henrietta Wright, 35;Valerie McCorvey, 35; and Janecia Peters, 25. He was also on the trial for the attempted murder of Enietra Washington, who even testified that he was “100 percent” the man who attacked her that night. “You’re truly a piece of evil,” Enietra told Franklin in court. “You’re a Satan representative…”