The Grim Sleeper

Lonnie Franklin Jr. was a former city sanitation worker and mechanic for the LAPD. He lived in South Los Angeles and was considered quiet by neighbors. However, his unassuming appearance masked a brutal history of targeting vulnerable women, many of whom were sex workers or struggling with addiction.

He earned the nickname "Grim Sleeper" due to a presumed 14-year gap in his killings — between 1988 and 2002 — although later evidence suggested he may have been active during that time.

Franklin typically lured women into his vehicle or home, where he sexually assaulted them, then shot or strangled them. He often discarded their bodies in alleys, dumpsters, or covered with debris. Several victims were found with signs of sexual abuse and gunshot wounds, usually from a small-caliber firearm.

In a chilling twist, Franklin kept trophies—photographs of many women, some of whom remain unidentified to this day.

Franklin was caught through familial DNA. In 2010, his son Christopher’s DNA, obtained from a felony conviction, showed similarities to the DNA recovered from the crime scenes. Investigators used an undercover officer posing as a busboy at a pizza restaurant to obtain utensils used by Franklin to collect his DNA. It was a match.

Following his arrest, over 1,000 photographs and videos of women were discovered in his home. Many of these women remain unidentified. Some may be additional victims.

Victims (Confirmed Convictions – 10 Victims)

Debra Jackson, 29, Date Found: August 10, 1985. Cause of Death: Three gunshot wounds to the chest. First known victim, body dumped in an alley.

Henrietta Wright, 34, Date Found: August 12, 1986. Cause of Death: Shot twice with a small-caliber weapon. Covered with a mattress in an alley.

Barbara Ware, 23, Date Found: January 10, 1987. Cause of Death: Gunshot wound. Anonymous caller alerted police

Bernita Sparks, 26, Date Found: April 15, 1987. Cause of Death: Strangled and shot. Found in a dumpster.

Mary Lowe, 26, Date Found: November 1, 1987. Cause of Death: Gunshot wound. Body left in an alley.

Lachrica Jefferson, 22, Date Found: January 30, 1988. Cause of Death: Shot in the chest. Note left on body that read “AIDS Check”.

Alicia “Monique” Alexander, 18, Date Found: September 11, 1988. Cause of Death: Gunshot wound. Family helped identify her using a police sketch.

Princess Berthomieux, 15, Date Found: March 19, 2002. Cause of Death: Strangulation. She was a high school student reported missing.

Valerie McCorvey, 35, Date Found: July 11, 2003. Cause of Death: Strangled. Found near an alley.

Janecia Peters, 25, Date Found: January 1, 2007. Cause of Death: Shot in the back and stuffed in a trash bag. DNA on her body led to Franklin’s arrest.

Attempted Murder Victim

Enietra Washington, 30 (at the time of attack in 1988). She survived a gunshot wound and sexual assault. Her detailed testimony helped prosecutors build the case. She described being picked up by a man in an orange Pinto, assaulted, and shot in the chest. She was pushed out of the car and left for dead. Her description matched Franklin, and her DNA evidence matched DNA found on some murder victims.

Lonnie David Franklin Jr. "The Grim Sleeper"

Active 1985-2007

Los Angeles California