South Los Angeles: $500,000 reward in serial killings

The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday approved a $500,000 reward to help catch a serial killer believed responsible for 11 slayings in South Los Angeles and Inglewood over the last two decades.

The first killing occurred in 1985 when Debra Jackson, 29, a black woman, was shot three times in the chest. Her body was found in an alley near West Gage Avenue. Three years later, police determined the gun used to kill Jackson was linked to seven other slayings. DNA evidence has linked the killer to homicides in 2002 and 2003 and most recently to the shooting death of Janecia Peters, 25, a black woman, who was found in January 2007 covered with a garbage bag on South Western Avenue. Peters' murder was one of many listed in the Homicide Report when it launched.  The LA Weekly reports on the serial killer, which it  has dubbed the Grim Sleeper.

—Phil Willon

Comments

[LilyC]

I hope they catch him soon - no one deserves to die at the hands of such a monster. My condolences to the families of the victims.

[check_inside]

One of the last times California had an elusive serialist it turned out to be someone assigned to the very task force working to catch a serial rapist I think I read somewhere years ago. Maybe inside is a good place to start looking, perhaps?

[Kim Smith]

i remember as a teenager of these murders name the the "southside murders" is the police trying to tell us the southside slayer is back. this person was supposed to had been apprehended back in the late 80's. and here 13 yrs laterswomen have to bein fear. his targets may not all be prostitutes but women at ramdom. ladies we must not be alone going out to local places or our daily walks it's no telling who he may targeting. we must pay close attention to our surroundings and people around us. our society has turnrd into preditors just out lurking for someone for their own vengence and it's terrible. let'sjust take all the precautions there are not just western avenue but all over from various crimes.

[nikki]

Well its about time. Since La Weekly reported I have seen this story on the local news for 2 or 3 days. I first saw it on Headline News. I have put up flyers at various points on western all the way to 43rd street for the women that walk and dont have personal transportation. I have handed out flyers to women prostituting or not on Western because they should know. They may not have internet access or have seen the news. I also let the sister of Janecia Peters that I have been doing this and she stated she appreciated it. Anyways I am glad the story is out. Who knows if the killer is alive, dead in jail or taking a break. What we do know is that he murdered as recent as last year. I live very close to where 3 of these bodies were dumped. The women I have stopped on the streets have been recceptive to the info and one even ran across the street to get more copies. Most of the women wanted to know what he looked like and sadly I don't have that info. Then I was aksed well why didnt the survivor give a better description. My response was that maybe she did and thats a question maybe detectives have the answer to. They realize they need to be careful . I will cont. to post these fliers where I see lots of foot traffic by women. This guy did supposedly murder a man so who knows what kind of ideas this sociopath has.

[lola]

thats bad i hope they find him soon and i hope he be arested soon thtas not fare for the families

[a grieveing mom forever]

maybe that lone male victim knew something perhaps and he was killed for that reason someone has to know who he is it could be our neighbor we wave to everyday a killer has no certain look it is inside of his twisted mind where all the evil lays i hope he or whomever is caught no person should have the power to go around and kill at will for no reason. it is only a matter of time that he is caught i hope so for the victims family, god bless

[Tray]

One of my victimes was my aunt. The last time I seen her it was on my sisters 3 year old birthday.I hope they get this guy

[Anita Brown]

I have heard that this serial killer is going around in Inglewood, CA. that it has been two murders of two your ladies that was attending a night club in Inglewood. that one was walking to her car and was kidnap and was later found dead in the back of her car in a alley behide the Savoy Nightclub. and the other your lady was leaving the Dynasty night club. if this is true then something needs to be put out on the news or posted on pole in the area or something need to be said. be safe ladies be sure to watch your surrounding when parties.

[EL]

Voice on tape in TV is very similar of a women's voice I have heard. Women is big, tall , blondish lite colour and could be transfered sexually, very different voice, sounds like man's.