Eastbound Strangler
| Eastbound Strangler | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Atlantic City Serial Killer |
| Killings | |
| Victims | 4 |
Span of killings | October 2006–November 2006 |
| Country | United States |
| State(s) | New Jersey |
Date apprehended | Never apprehended |
The Eastbound Strangler is an unidentified serial killer believed to be responsible for the murders of four women near Atlantic City, New Jersey in 2006.
Background
Four bodies were found in a drainage ditch[1] filled with shallow water on November 20, 2006[2] behind the Golden Key Motel[3] on the Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township, situated on the outskirts of Atlantic City, New Jersey.[4] All of them were placed face down[5] in a row, facing east, about sixty feet apart from each other. They were clothed except for having their shoes and socks removed.[1] They were believed to have been strangled to death.
Investigation
41-year-old repairman Terry Olsen, who was being allowed to stay for free at the Golden Key Motel in exchange for repairs when the murders took place, was implicated by his girlfriend as the killer. They were reportedly having a domestic dispute at the time. In Olsen's room, investigators found cameras set up and images of his girlfriend's teenage daughter undressing. There have been no DNA matches to connect Olsen with the crimes and he was never named as a suspect.[3]
Eldred Raymond Burchell who had given himself the nickname of the "River Man", being a possible reference to Green River Killer Gary Ridgway, was identified by sex worker Denise Hill to be the murderer. However, he has not been connected to any murders.[3]
There was thought to be a possible connection to the Long Island serial killer[6] but investigators later ruled it out.[7]
Victims
- Barbara V. Breidor, 42 — Worked as a prostitute to support her crack habit. She disappeared in October 2006 but it was not reported for several weeks.
- Molly Jean Dilts, 20 — Last seen alive a few days before her disappearance. May have been working as a prostitute.
- Kim Raffo, 35 — Former waitress who left her husband and children for drugs and prostitution in Atlantic City. Last seen alive a day before the bodies were discovered.
- Tracy Ann Roberts, 23 — Former erotic dancer[8] who sold sex to support a drug habit. Last seen alive in November 2006 when she was hit in the throat and hospitalized by a man who wished to be her pimp.[2]
Popular culture
Investigation Discovery's Dark Minds, hosted by M. William Phelps, aired an episode on the case.
References
- 1 2 M. William Phelps (presenter) (8 May 2014). Dark Minds – The Eastbound Strangler (Video). Atlantic City: Dark Crime via YouTube. 2 mins 22 secs minutes in. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
I need to pick up his trail before he kills again
- 1 2 Brian Combs (February 6, 2011). "Victims of the Eastbound Strangler". Retrieved March 17, 2014.
- 1 2 3 Cristina Corbin (July 20, 2013). "Atlantic City authorities eye 'more than one' person of interest in 2006 unsolved prostitute murders". Fox News. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
- ↑ "Angels Join Hunt For Serial Killer" (PDF). December 6, 2006. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
- ↑ Lauren Pearle, Chris Francescani and Elizabeth Kolleeny (November 28, 2006). "N.J. Police Suspect Serial Killer in Four Slayings". abc News. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
- ↑ Andrea Canning, Eamon McNiff and Josh Einiger (December 15, 1010). "Are Atlantic City Murders Tied to N.Y. Serial Killer?". abc News. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
- ↑ Andrea Canning, Josh Einiger, Richard Esposito, Emily Friedman and Jessica Hopper (April 13, 2011). "Long Island Serial Killer: Investigators to Use High-Tech Planes in Search for Bodies". abc News. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
- ↑ "Authorities Search Home of Ex-Motel Worker During Probe of 4 Dead Atlantic City Prostitutes". Associated Press. April 3, 2007. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
External links
- Dark Minds: The Eastbound Strangler
- The Eastbound Strangler (Behind the Scenes of Investigation Discovery's "Dark Minds")
- Eastbound Strangler profile