Andre Crawford
Chicago Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois
TIME PERIOD
1993-1999
VICTIMS
11 confirmed
Andre Crawford, a convicted serial killer, was responsible for the murders of 11 women in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood between 1993 and 1999. Many of his victims were vulnerable individuals, including drug addicts and sex workers. Crawford was apprehended on January 28, 2000, and subsequently convicted in 2009, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. He died in custody at Menard Correctional Center on March 18, 2017. Key evidence included DNA linking Crawford to the crime scenes and testimonies from witnesses who placed him in the vicinity of the victims prior to their disappearances.
Andre Crawford is believed to have targeted vulnerable women, primarily those addicted to drugs or involved in sex work, which some speculate contributed to the challenges law enforcement faced in apprehending him. There is also speculation that the presence of another serial killer, Hubert Geralds, in the same area may have complicated investigations, as Geralds falsely confessed to one of Crawford's murders. Additionally, Crawford's traumatic childhood and claims of abuse have led some to theorize that these experiences may have influenced his violent behavior.
The Infamous Tale of Andre Crawford
In the shadows of Chicago's Englewood neighborhood, a sinister figure lurked from 1993 to 1999, preying on the vulnerable. Andre Crawford, a name that would become synonymous with terror, was an American serial killer, rapist, and necrophile who claimed the lives of 11 women. His victims, often entangled in the struggles of addiction or the harsh realities of sex work, fell prey to Crawford's chilling modus operandi. In 2009, justice finally caught up with him, and he was convicted on all counts, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
The Early Life of Andre Crawford
Born on March 20, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois, Andre Crawford's life was marked by turmoil from the start. His father abandoned the family shortly after his birth, leaving Crawford and his sister in the care of a mother who paid them little mind. By the late 1960s, Crawford's mother faced prosecution for inappropriate parenting, resulting in the children being placed in foster care. This household was far from a refuge; Crawford claimed he endured beatings and sexual abuse from foster family members.
As a teenager, Crawford ran away, seeking out his biological mother's relatives, only to face further abuse and exploitation. He alleged that they forced him into prostitution. Although these claims were never substantiated, his sister, adoptive parents, and other relatives denied them. Crawford's adoptive father noted a turning point in the mid-1970s when Crawford succumbed to drug addiction, dropping out of school at 17.
Despite enlisting in the Army and later the Navy in the early 1980s, Crawford's struggles with addiction persisted. His inability to fulfill his duties led to disciplinary actions and an eventual dishonorable discharge. Returning to Chicago, Crawford's life spiraled into a cycle of substance abuse and instability. He drifted between low-skilled jobs, lived in abandoned buildings, homeless shelters, or with friends, and frequented the red-light district. Though some acquaintances spoke well of him, legal troubles were never far behind. Between March 1993 and November 1999, Crawford faced repeated arrests for theft and drug possession. In 1999, he received a suspended sentence with probation, during which a blood sample was collected.
His aggression towards women became apparent over time. On May 3, 1995, Crawford was arrested for assault and rape, spending over a year in Cook County Jail. However, the charges were dropped due to the victim's lack of cooperation and the questionable reliability of her testimony due to her drug habit.
The Horrific Murders
Crawford's victims were Black women and girls, many of whom were involved in prostitution or battled drug addiction. He lured them to deserted places under the pretense of sharing crack cocaine or offering money for sex, only to strangle or stab them to death. Afterward, he would return to the crime scenes to commit acts of necrophilia. All these heinous acts occurred within the crime-ridden Englewood neighborhood.
His known victims included Evandrey Harris, Patricia Dunn, Rhonda King, Angel Shatteen, Shaquanta Langley, Sonja Brandon, Nicole Townsend, Cheryl Cross, Tommie Dennis, Sheryl Johnson, and Constance Bailey. A twelfth victim, attacked on Thanksgiving 1997, miraculously survived.
The Capture and Confession
Crawford's reign of terror ended on January 28, 2000, when DNA evidence linked him to seven murders. During his arrest, he confessed to three additional killings and several assaults where the victims survived. His chilling admission revealed a lack of remorse, as he likened his compulsion to an addiction.
Ironically, Crawford had participated in a police operation aimed at capturing the elusive serial killer. He even helped distribute leaflets warning the community and providing suspect composites.
Charged with 11 counts of murder and sexual offenses with aggravating circumstances, including one count of attempted murder, Crawford's confessions brought to light a significant miscarriage of justice. Another serial killer, Hubert Geralds, had been wrongfully convicted of Rhonda King's murder. The Cook County Prosecutor's Office overturned Geralds' conviction concerning King, though he remained incarcerated for other murders his DNA confirmed.
Trial, Imprisonment, and Death
Crawford's trial faced numerous delays due to judicial errors, procedural motions, and a statewide moratorium on the death penalty. Consequently, he spent an unprecedented nine years and ten months in pre-trial detention at Cook County Jail.
On December 10, 2009, a jury found Crawford guilty on all charges, sentencing him to life imprisonment without parole. He was incarcerated at Menard Correctional Center in Illinois, where he died on March 18, 2017, just shy of his 55th birthday, succumbing to liver cancer.
Sources
For further reading on Andre Crawford and the criminal proceedings:
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First Murder
Andre Crawford begins a series of murders targeting women in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood.
Last Known Murder
Crawford commits his last known murder, bringing the total to 11 victims.
Arrested
Andre Crawford is arrested after DNA evidence links him to multiple murders.
Confession
Crawford confesses to the murders during initial interrogations, admitting to additional attacks.
Trial Begins
Crawford's trial begins after numerous delays, marking a significant milestone in the case.
Found Guilty
Crawford is found guilty on all counts of murder and sexual offenses.
Life Sentence
Crawford is sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Death
Andre Crawford dies of liver cancer in prison, just two days before his 55th birthday.
Andre Crawford, a convicted serial killer, was responsible for the murders of 11 women in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood between 1993 and 1999. Many of his victims were vulnerable individuals, including drug addicts and sex workers. Crawford was apprehended on January 28, 2000, and subsequently convicted in 2009, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. He died in custody at Menard Correctional Center on March 18, 2017. Key evidence included DNA linking Crawford to the crime scenes and testimonies from witnesses who placed him in the vicinity of the victims prior to their disappearances.
Andre Crawford is believed to have targeted vulnerable women, primarily those addicted to drugs or involved in sex work, which some speculate contributed to the challenges law enforcement faced in apprehending him. There is also speculation that the presence of another serial killer, Hubert Geralds, in the same area may have complicated investigations, as Geralds falsely confessed to one of Crawford's murders. Additionally, Crawford's traumatic childhood and claims of abuse have led some to theorize that these experiences may have influenced his violent behavior.
The Infamous Tale of Andre Crawford
In the shadows of Chicago's Englewood neighborhood, a sinister figure lurked from 1993 to 1999, preying on the vulnerable. Andre Crawford, a name that would become synonymous with terror, was an American serial killer, rapist, and necrophile who claimed the lives of 11 women. His victims, often entangled in the struggles of addiction or the harsh realities of sex work, fell prey to Crawford's chilling modus operandi. In 2009, justice finally caught up with him, and he was convicted on all counts, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
The Early Life of Andre Crawford
Born on March 20, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois, Andre Crawford's life was marked by turmoil from the start. His father abandoned the family shortly after his birth, leaving Crawford and his sister in the care of a mother who paid them little mind. By the late 1960s, Crawford's mother faced prosecution for inappropriate parenting, resulting in the children being placed in foster care. This household was far from a refuge; Crawford claimed he endured beatings and sexual abuse from foster family members.
As a teenager, Crawford ran away, seeking out his biological mother's relatives, only to face further abuse and exploitation. He alleged that they forced him into prostitution. Although these claims were never substantiated, his sister, adoptive parents, and other relatives denied them. Crawford's adoptive father noted a turning point in the mid-1970s when Crawford succumbed to drug addiction, dropping out of school at 17.
Despite enlisting in the Army and later the Navy in the early 1980s, Crawford's struggles with addiction persisted. His inability to fulfill his duties led to disciplinary actions and an eventual dishonorable discharge. Returning to Chicago, Crawford's life spiraled into a cycle of substance abuse and instability. He drifted between low-skilled jobs, lived in abandoned buildings, homeless shelters, or with friends, and frequented the red-light district. Though some acquaintances spoke well of him, legal troubles were never far behind. Between March 1993 and November 1999, Crawford faced repeated arrests for theft and drug possession. In 1999, he received a suspended sentence with probation, during which a blood sample was collected.
His aggression towards women became apparent over time. On May 3, 1995, Crawford was arrested for assault and rape, spending over a year in Cook County Jail. However, the charges were dropped due to the victim's lack of cooperation and the questionable reliability of her testimony due to her drug habit.
The Horrific Murders
Crawford's victims were Black women and girls, many of whom were involved in prostitution or battled drug addiction. He lured them to deserted places under the pretense of sharing crack cocaine or offering money for sex, only to strangle or stab them to death. Afterward, he would return to the crime scenes to commit acts of necrophilia. All these heinous acts occurred within the crime-ridden Englewood neighborhood.
His known victims included Evandrey Harris, Patricia Dunn, Rhonda King, Angel Shatteen, Shaquanta Langley, Sonja Brandon, Nicole Townsend, Cheryl Cross, Tommie Dennis, Sheryl Johnson, and Constance Bailey. A twelfth victim, attacked on Thanksgiving 1997, miraculously survived.
The Capture and Confession
Crawford's reign of terror ended on January 28, 2000, when DNA evidence linked him to seven murders. During his arrest, he confessed to three additional killings and several assaults where the victims survived. His chilling admission revealed a lack of remorse, as he likened his compulsion to an addiction.
Ironically, Crawford had participated in a police operation aimed at capturing the elusive serial killer. He even helped distribute leaflets warning the community and providing suspect composites.
Charged with 11 counts of murder and sexual offenses with aggravating circumstances, including one count of attempted murder, Crawford's confessions brought to light a significant miscarriage of justice. Another serial killer, Hubert Geralds, had been wrongfully convicted of Rhonda King's murder. The Cook County Prosecutor's Office overturned Geralds' conviction concerning King, though he remained incarcerated for other murders his DNA confirmed.
Trial, Imprisonment, and Death
Crawford's trial faced numerous delays due to judicial errors, procedural motions, and a statewide moratorium on the death penalty. Consequently, he spent an unprecedented nine years and ten months in pre-trial detention at Cook County Jail.
On December 10, 2009, a jury found Crawford guilty on all charges, sentencing him to life imprisonment without parole. He was incarcerated at Menard Correctional Center in Illinois, where he died on March 18, 2017, just shy of his 55th birthday, succumbing to liver cancer.
Sources
For further reading on Andre Crawford and the criminal proceedings:
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
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First Murder
Andre Crawford begins a series of murders targeting women in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood.
Last Known Murder
Crawford commits his last known murder, bringing the total to 11 victims.
Arrested
Andre Crawford is arrested after DNA evidence links him to multiple murders.
Confession
Crawford confesses to the murders during initial interrogations, admitting to additional attacks.
Trial Begins
Crawford's trial begins after numerous delays, marking a significant milestone in the case.
Found Guilty
Crawford is found guilty on all counts of murder and sexual offenses.
Life Sentence
Crawford is sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Death
Andre Crawford dies of liver cancer in prison, just two days before his 55th birthday.