"Grim Sleeper" Serial Murder Trial Begins

The "Grim Sleeper" serial murder trial begins today in downtown Los Angeles.
Lonnie Franklin Jr., aka the "Grim Sleeper" is charged with 10 counts of murder. He may be responsible for many more deaths, during his killing spree in south central LA during the 80's and 90's.
The LAPD captured Lonnie Franklin Jr. using familial DNA data.
Christine Pelisek, a reporter for the LA Weekly, got the LAPD and the public back hot on the trail of the serial murderer.
Most of the Grim Sleeper's victims were photographed, the images were found inside Franklin's South Central home and appeared either to be either dead or drugged in many of the photos.
At one time, Lonnie Franklin Jr. worked for the LAPD repairing automobiles.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2016

The family of Janecia Peters.

Christine Pelisek, LA Weekly reporter.

"Grim Sleeper" murder house.

Grim Sleeper Update @ LAPD

L.A.P.D. detectives and Chief Charlie Beck hold a press conference to update the media on the "Grim Sleeper" serial murder case.
Police officials ID'd 8 women who are still missing, three of them were directly connected to evidence found inside the "Grim Sleeper's," Lonnie Franklin, home.
55 other women in Franklin's photo collection have not been ID'd, and the police are asking for the public's help in finding them.
The family of Ayellah Marshall attended the press conference, she has been missing since February 2005 and was 18 at the time.
Chief Beck also had a blue bandage on his arm. He gave blood at a blood drive held in honor of L.A.P.D. officer Steve Jenkins. Jenkins was shot on duty early this morning and is in guarded condition.

Det. Dennis Kilcoyne.

Family of Ayellah Marshall.

ID's of two missing women found inside the "Grim Sleeper's" home.

55 missing women.

Chief Beck's bandaged arm.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

L.A.P.D. Reveal Grim Pix

The L.A.P.D. put over 180 images of women on display in hopes of having the public identify them. The images were taken by serial killer suspect Lonnie David Franklin Jr., The Grim Sleeper. The images were found during a search of Franklin's house. Most of the photos were either taken on film or Polaroid. Some of the images were pulled off of video tape by L.A.P.D.
Detectives want to know if these women are alive and well, and do not consider them suspects in the case.
The photos will be displayed on the L.A.P.D website: www.LAPDonline.org

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2010

"Grim Sleeper" Missed by a Hair in 1988

Here is a L.A. Weekly story illustrating how close, and yet so far away the L.A.P.D. was to capturing the "Grim Sleeper" serial murder suspect Lonnie Franklin Jr. in 1998. The story is written by L.A. Weekly investigative reporter Christine Pelesik.

Photo montage by Ted Soqui © 2010

"Grim Sleeper" Captured

The "Grim Sleeper" in court. Pool image by Al Seib/LA Times

LAPD mugshot of the Lonnie David Franklin jr. dated 2/25/1994

Family of Janecia Peters at a press conference.

LAPD officer setting up mugshots of the "Grim Sleeper" suspect.

Families and friends of "Grim Sleeper" victims.

Lead Detective Dennis Kilcoyne.

The serial murder suspect known as the "Grim Sleeper," Lonnie David Franklin Jr., has been captured by the L.A.P.D. The "Grim Reaper" is known to have committed at least 10 murders, and one attempted murder.

The L.A.P.D. along with city and state officials held a press conference outside of the new Police Administration Building. Lead Detective Dennis Kilcoyne spoke on how they used new D.N.A. techniques to capture the "Grim Sleeper."

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2010

LA City Council OK's $500k Reward To Capture The "Grim Sleeper"

The LA City Council approved a reward up to $500,000 for information that would lead to the capture and conviction of the "Grim Sleeper" serial murderer. The motion was brought forth by Councilperson Bernard Parks, the former LAPD Chief. Parks was joined by Mary and Porter Alexander, their daughter Monique Alicia Alexander was murdered by the "Grim Sleeper", at a LA City Hall press conference. The serial killer, dubbed the "Grim Sleeper" by the LA Weekly, has taken a 13 year hiatus before resuming his killing spree and was linked to the 11 murders by DNA. Most of the "Grim Sleepers" victims were dumped in alley ways along Western Avenue in South Central LA. Anyone with information regarding the "Grim Sleeper" should contact the LAPD at 1-877-LAWFUL

Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008

Shooting Grief

It's been a tough week on Angelenos.

Had two assignments this week that oddly crossed paths with grief.
The first was to photograph two families that each had a family member killed by a serial murderer over ten years ago. The story, by LA Weekly writer Christine Pelisek, is about an elusive serial murderer who has taken a 13 year hiatus and is back and killing again in South Central LA.
Photographing each family was difficult on them and myself. They were reminded of the memories and pain of loss as they held their last and only pictures of their lost ones. The photo shoots ended as quickly as they started. I can only hope that it helps to catch the killer and give the families some way finally to end their grief and pain.

My other assignment was to photograph the site in Eagle Rock where four people were killed in a horrific car crash.
This shoot was really tough to do. Upon reaching the crash site, two dozen people where standing around a tree where four people died. I starting shooting photos from a distance, by the 5th frame I'm completely surrounded by an angry mob. They scolded me for taking photos and threatened to fully kick my ass. Cooler heads took over and the situation diffused as we each went our separate ways.

Photographing grief will never be easy, but it be necessary to fully tell the our stories.

Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008