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LAPD releases aged composite sketches of "Grim Sleeper" serial killer
Three aged, progressed composites of the so-called "Grim Sleeper" serial killer.
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Brian Watt/KPCC
)
Los Angeles police have gone back to the drawing board in their search for the so-called “Grim Sleeper” serial killer. KPCC’s Brian Watt says investigators have released new composite sketches of the suspect.
Investigators came up with their first composite sketch 21 years ago. They’ve used an age-enhancement technique to create three different images of what the suspect could look like now. The images show a black male now believed be 45 to 60 years old. One shows minimal aging, another depicts aging with a comfortable lifestyle and healthy appetite, another shows the aging taking its toll. LAPD Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell:
Jim McDonnell: It’s trying to do the best estimate that we can to give the public an idea that may spark an idea from somebody to say: that might be somebody because of the lifestyle that they lead, because of some clues that may have had from the person over the years and just be what they need to make that call to us.
Police believe the suspect is responsible for at least 11 murders in South Los Angeles. All but one victim were women. The first killings happened between 1985 and 1988. The suspect then went dormant for more than 13 years, which earned him nickname “The Grim Sleeper.” Detectives have been trying to identify him for nearly 25 years.
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Jim McDonnell: “So from the outside looking in at this case, you’re saying, what are you getting from all the time you’re investing. But so much of it is looking at other cases all over the place to be able to see, ‘is it tied in to this case” And if so, does that give us another fresh lead that we can follow to try and arrest this individual”
The reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect is half a million dollars.
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