In this article, sheds light on lesser-known cases of Black serial killers, challenging the misconception that such crimes are exclusive to white individuals. While popular media often focuses on white serial killers, it is important to acknowledge that Black serial killers exist and their crimes can be just as sinister.
One such case is that of Maury Travis, known as the “Videotape Killer.” Investigators linked Travis to the murders of 12 sex workers in St. Louis. He would lure women to his home with money or drugs, then tie them up and kill them. Travis committed suicide in his jail cell before facing conviction.
Elton Manning Jackson targeted the LGBT community for a decade, suspected of killing 11 queer men. Although he was only convicted in one murder, his method of sexually motivated strangulation remained consistent in each case.
Eddie Lee Mosley, dubbed the “Rape Man,” terrorized women in South Florida during the 1970s. DNA evidence linked him to numerous murders and rapes in the Fort Lauderdale area. Mosley was declared unfit to stand trial and spent the rest of his life in mental hospitals until his death in 2020.
John Floyd Thomas, known as the Westside Rapist, targeted older women between the ages of 50 and 90. He would break into their homes, rape them, and choke them to death. Thomas was sentenced to life in prison for seven murders and remains a suspect in 15 unsolved killings.
Jake Bird, also known as “The Tacoma Ax-Killer,” had a lengthy criminal record. He was caught after police responded to reports of screams and was convicted of two murders. While on Death Row, Bird confessed to over 40 additional murders across the country.
Harrison Graham was discovered when his neighbor complained about a foul odor emanating from his apartment. Police found two dead Black women, blood splatters, and skeletal remains. Graham confessed to the killings of seven women and received a death sentence, later commuted to life in prison.
Roberta Elder, the wife of Reverend William M. Elder, was charged with the murders of her husband and two of their children. During her trial, it was revealed that she may have been responsible for up to 13 additional deaths, including ex-husbands, her own children, and other relatives.
Debra Brown, along with her partner Alton Coleman, embarked on a killing spree that lasted 50 days. They murdered eight people, raped seven, and kidnapped three. Coleman was executed in 2002, while Brown’s death sentence was overturned due to a mental disability.
Samuel Little, considered one of the most prolific serial killers, confessed to a large number of unsolved murders before his death. Little’s crimes spanned several states and involved victims from various backgrounds.
These cases serve as a reminder that serial killers can come from any racial or ethnic background.
