L.A. police said Wednesday that they arrested a man in connection with the “Grim Sleeper” serial killer case that’s remained unsolved since the 80’s.
Police say they have Lonnie David Franklin Jr., 57, in custody in connection with 11 murders since 1985 in the Southside of Los Angeles.
The Grim Sleeper, who was given the name because he took long breaks in between attacks, targeted Black women who were prostitutes or drug addicts in particular.
Police say DNA and ballistics have connected the killings of 10 women and one man all believed to be the work of The Sleeper from 1985 to 2007.
The Sleeper’s last attack reportedly took place on January 1, 2007.
A 12th victim escaped after being shot and raped by the serial killer in the 80’s and described him as “Black, in his 20s, 5 feet, 8 inches to 5 feet, 10 inches tall, about 160 pounds, soft-spoken and articulate, with neatly trimmed hair and a pockmarked face.”
Police previously arrested a man in connection with the killings that turned out to be innocent.
“Familial DNA testing”, which allows investigators to pursue partial genetic matches to crime scene evidence when the suspect’s DNA profile is not in the state database, was used to make the arrest.
