Serial Killers Fast Facts
Here’s a select list of convicted American serial killers and notable open or unsolved cases.
Serial murder is defined by the FBI as two or more killings separated by a span of time. A majority of serial killings are sexually motivated, according to the FBI.
Serial murders are relatively rare. Fewer than one percent of homicides during a given year are committed by serial killers, the FBI reports.
David Berkowitz
Years and location: 1970s, New York City
Characteristics: Initially claimed a neighbor’s dog was possessed by an ancient spirit that commanded him to shoot people. The dog owner’s name was Sam. Berkowitz later said the dog story was a hoax.
HEADLINES & GLOBAL NEWS
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Feb 09, 2021 06:15 PM EST
A Cleveland serial killer charged with killing 11 women in Cleveland died of a fatal disease in jail on Monday, authorities said.
Cleveland serial killer died of terminal disease
(Photo : Misty Stiver/Twitter)
Serial killer Anthony Sowell has died. ODRC says he passed away at 3:27 p.m. today. Sowell was on death row for murdering 11 women in Cleveland. We’re told he had a terminal illness & had been in end of life care unit at the Franklin Medical Center since 1/21.
Anthony Sowell, 61, was transferred to the end-of-life care center at a psychiatric treatment prison in Columbus on January 21, a spokesperson for the corrections department said.
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A spokeswoman for Ohio s prison authority says the cause of death was a terminal disease. She did not provide details except to say it was not related to COVID-19.
His death closes a dark chapter in Cleveland history.
Sowell was convicted in 2011 for killing 11 women after their bodies were found buried in his house and yard on the city s east side. The discovery prompted outrage over the neglect shown to neighborhoods and residents in that part of the city.
A year before the first two bodies were found in his house, Sowell was arrested and released by Cleveland police after assaulting a woman who reported him to authorities.
Suspect in shooting death of Ravenna teen arrested in Texas Cliff Pinckard, cleveland.com
AKRON, Ohio A 19-year-old male wanted in connection with the shooting death of a teen last year in Ravenna has been taken into custody by federal officers, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Lynden Jones was arrested Monday in Austin, Texas, a news release from the Marshals Service says. He was taken into custody without incident.
Jones is facing a homicide charge in the death of Dominic Diaz-Francis, 17, in February 2020. Police initially said Diaz-Francis’ death was the result of an accidental shooting. Police quickly changed it to a homicide investigation after learning new information, which has not been specified.