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LAPD deluged with calls after photo release in 'Grim Sleeper' case
The LAPD has posted the images of 180 women on its website. They found the photos at the home of the serial killer known as the "Grim Sleeper" and want to make sure none ended up his victim. Prosecutors already have charged Lonnie David Franklin Jr. with 10 murders dating back to 1985.
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Frank Stoltze/KPCC
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LAPD deluged with calls after photo release in 'Grim Sleeper' case
The Los Angeles Police Department says the photos it posted online Thursday in connection with the “Grim Sleeper” case have received more than 8 million hits.
And based on that, police have tentatively identified about five of the people in the photos.
Lead detective Dennis Kilcoyne said hundreds of people have called the department from all over the country.
"We’re getting calls that uh, 'you know, I know this person, haven’t seen them in years… I am that person. They used to live down the street from me,'" Kilcoyne said. "A myriad of calls and that’s why we’re just gathering the information, we will go out physically go face to face with people. And satisfy ourselves that this person should be labeled identified or, you know, taken down from the poster."
Can you help the LAPD put names to these faces? Call 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).
The police offered no update on the well-being of the five people they’ve tentatively identified.
Kilcoyne said this morning that investigators had received hundreds of calls after releasing photographs of women that were seized from the home of suspect Lonnie Franklin Jr.
Kilcoyne said he expected the tally of calls to reach 1,000 by the day's end.
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Several callers told police they are among the women in the photographs, but detectives must interview each one to make sure.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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