Arohn Kee
East Harlem Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
East Harlem, New York
TIME PERIOD
1991-1998
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Arohn Kee, an American serial killer and rapist, committed a series of violent crimes in East Harlem, New York City, between 1991 and 1998, resulting in the deaths of at least three teenage girls and multiple rapes. His first known victim, 13-year-old Paola Illera, was murdered on January 24, 1991, followed by 19-year-old Johalis Castro in September 1997, and 18-year-old Rasheeda Washington in June 1998. Kee was apprehended on February 19, 1999, after DNA evidence linked him to the crimes, leading to a manhunt that culminated in his capture while he was in Miami, Florida, where he had kidnapped a 16-year-old girl. Currently, Kee is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole at Attica Correctional Facility after being convicted of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and multiple counts of rape and robbery. Significant evidence includes DNA linking him to the victims and biological evidence found at the crime scenes, which played a crucial role in his identification and conviction.
Arohn Kee is believed to have targeted vulnerable young women in East Harlem, often stalking them before committing his crimes. Some speculate that his brutal methods, including burning one victim's body, indicate a desire to eliminate any chance of identification and reflect a calculated approach to his killings. There are also theories that his actions may have been driven by a psychological compulsion, as he escalated from rape to murder over the years.
The Sinister Tale of Arohn Kee: The East Harlem Rapist
The Beginning of a Terrifying Reign
Born on September 18, 1973, in Manhattan, New York, Arohn Kee would later become infamously known as "The East Harlem Rapist." From 1991 to 1998, Kee terrorized the streets of East Harlem, leaving a trail of destruction through a series of brutal crimes that included at least four rapes and the murder of three teenage girls.
The Murders
Kee's dark journey began on January 24, 1991, when at the age of 17, he committed his first known murder. His victim was a 13-year-old schoolgirl, Paola Illera. Kee's method was as vicious as it was chilling—he raped, stabbed, and strangled her, forever marking the start of his violent spree.
His modus operandi involved stalking women, often following them into secluded areas where he would rape them before fleeing. This pattern of predation continued until it escalated on September 13, 1997, with the attack on 19-year-old Johalis Castro. Kee assaulted her in the basement of her apartment building, where he raped and smothered her. In a final, horrifying act, he set her body on fire while she was still alive, presumably to prevent identification.
Kee's reign of terror continued on June 2, 1998, when he raped and murdered 18-year-old Rasheeda Washington. The brutality of these crimes sent shockwaves through the community, leaving residents in fear and law enforcement on high alert.
The Manhunt
The breakthrough in the case came in January 1999 when the NYPD conducted DNA testing on biological evidence from Rasheeda Washington's murder. The DNA results were a match to two rape cases from 1995 and 1996, leading investigators to identify Arohn Kee, then 25 years old, as the perpetrator. To hasten his capture, the NYPD offered a reward of $11,000, equivalent to approximately $20,800 in 2024, for information leading to his arrest.
As the net closed in on Kee, he kidnapped a 16-year-old girl, Angelique Stalling, from her Brooklyn apartment and fled to Miami, Florida. This abduction sparked a widespread manhunt across the eastern United States. Kee and Stalling were on the move, frequently switching hotels around Miami, trying to stay one step ahead of law enforcement. Their run came to an end on the evening of February 19, 1999, when Miami police stormed Kee's hotel room. Stalling was rescued and flown back to New York, while Kee was extradited to face justice.
The Trial and Conviction
Back in New York, Kee faced an array of charges, including the murder of Rasheeda Washington, the kidnapping and false imprisonment of Angelique Stalling, and the rapes from 1995 and 1996. Further DNA testing revealed Kee's involvement in the unsolved murders of Paola Illera and Johalis Castro, as well as a rape from 1992.
The trial commenced in 2000. Kee, maintaining his innocence, pled not guilty to all charges. Taking the stand, he claimed he was being framed and alleged that the DNA evidence was fabricated. However, his assertions crumbled as surviving victims identified him as their attacker. On December 16, 2000, the jury found Kee guilty of all three murders and three additional rapes. In a defiant outburst, Kee shouted, "Fuck all of y’all!" as the verdict was read. In January 2001, he was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without parole.
A New Trial and Admission
The story didn't end there. In 2004, authorities continued their pursuit of justice, analyzing DNA from unsolved cases in Harlem. Their efforts paid off when they matched Kee's DNA to a 1994 unsolved rape of a 17-year-old girl in her basement apartment. The trial was set for June 2004, but this time, Kee did not contest his guilt. Instead, he confessed to the crime, expressing remorse and a desire for forgiveness. On August 12, 2004, he was sentenced to 20 years for this rape, to be served concurrently with his existing life sentences.
Conclusion
Arohn Kee's capture and convictions brought a semblance of closure to a community haunted by his crimes. His case is a stark reminder of the importance of forensic science in solving crimes and the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement. Kee remains imprisoned at Attica Correctional Facility, where he serves his sentence, ensuring he can no longer harm others.
Sources
- Inmate Lookup
- "Jailed rapist selling tales of his crime on the Internet." Daily News and Analysis. Asian News International, June 15, 2009. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021.
- Finkelstein, Katherine E.; Waldman, Amy. "Rage and Taunts Fill Courtroom as a Killer Gets Life in Prison." The New York Times, January 27, 2001. Archived from the original on March 29, 2024.
- Italiano, Laura. "Evil Serial Killer Nailed for Vicious 1994 Rape." New York Post, August 13, 2004. Archived from the original on November 5, 2023.
- "Deputy Inspector Joseph Reznick gives presser at 23 pct." New York Daily News, February 15, 1999. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024.
- Roane, Kit R. "Murder Suspect Found With Missing Girl." The New York Times, February 20, 1999. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024.
- Rohde, David. "Manhattan Man Guilty in Rape and Murder Spree." The New York Times, December 21, 2000. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023.
For more information about serial killers in the United States, visit Wikipedia.
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First Murder
Arohn Kee murders 13-year-old Paola Illera.
Second Murder
Kee rapes and murders 19-year-old Johalis Castro.
Third Murder
Kee rapes and murders 18-year-old Rasheeda Washington.
DNA Evidence Found
DNA from Rasheeda Washington's body links Kee to earlier rapes.
Arrest of Arohn Kee
Kee is arrested in Miami after kidnapping Angelique Stalling.
Guilty Verdict
Kee found guilty of three murders and three rapes.
Sentencing
Kee sentenced to three consecutive life terms.
Additional Conviction
Kee sentenced to 20 years for 1994 rape, concurrent with life sentences.
Arohn Kee, an American serial killer and rapist, committed a series of violent crimes in East Harlem, New York City, between 1991 and 1998, resulting in the deaths of at least three teenage girls and multiple rapes. His first known victim, 13-year-old Paola Illera, was murdered on January 24, 1991, followed by 19-year-old Johalis Castro in September 1997, and 18-year-old Rasheeda Washington in June 1998. Kee was apprehended on February 19, 1999, after DNA evidence linked him to the crimes, leading to a manhunt that culminated in his capture while he was in Miami, Florida, where he had kidnapped a 16-year-old girl. Currently, Kee is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole at Attica Correctional Facility after being convicted of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and multiple counts of rape and robbery. Significant evidence includes DNA linking him to the victims and biological evidence found at the crime scenes, which played a crucial role in his identification and conviction.
Arohn Kee is believed to have targeted vulnerable young women in East Harlem, often stalking them before committing his crimes. Some speculate that his brutal methods, including burning one victim's body, indicate a desire to eliminate any chance of identification and reflect a calculated approach to his killings. There are also theories that his actions may have been driven by a psychological compulsion, as he escalated from rape to murder over the years.
The Sinister Tale of Arohn Kee: The East Harlem Rapist
The Beginning of a Terrifying Reign
Born on September 18, 1973, in Manhattan, New York, Arohn Kee would later become infamously known as "The East Harlem Rapist." From 1991 to 1998, Kee terrorized the streets of East Harlem, leaving a trail of destruction through a series of brutal crimes that included at least four rapes and the murder of three teenage girls.
The Murders
Kee's dark journey began on January 24, 1991, when at the age of 17, he committed his first known murder. His victim was a 13-year-old schoolgirl, Paola Illera. Kee's method was as vicious as it was chilling—he raped, stabbed, and strangled her, forever marking the start of his violent spree.
His modus operandi involved stalking women, often following them into secluded areas where he would rape them before fleeing. This pattern of predation continued until it escalated on September 13, 1997, with the attack on 19-year-old Johalis Castro. Kee assaulted her in the basement of her apartment building, where he raped and smothered her. In a final, horrifying act, he set her body on fire while she was still alive, presumably to prevent identification.
Kee's reign of terror continued on June 2, 1998, when he raped and murdered 18-year-old Rasheeda Washington. The brutality of these crimes sent shockwaves through the community, leaving residents in fear and law enforcement on high alert.
The Manhunt
The breakthrough in the case came in January 1999 when the NYPD conducted DNA testing on biological evidence from Rasheeda Washington's murder. The DNA results were a match to two rape cases from 1995 and 1996, leading investigators to identify Arohn Kee, then 25 years old, as the perpetrator. To hasten his capture, the NYPD offered a reward of $11,000, equivalent to approximately $20,800 in 2024, for information leading to his arrest.
As the net closed in on Kee, he kidnapped a 16-year-old girl, Angelique Stalling, from her Brooklyn apartment and fled to Miami, Florida. This abduction sparked a widespread manhunt across the eastern United States. Kee and Stalling were on the move, frequently switching hotels around Miami, trying to stay one step ahead of law enforcement. Their run came to an end on the evening of February 19, 1999, when Miami police stormed Kee's hotel room. Stalling was rescued and flown back to New York, while Kee was extradited to face justice.
The Trial and Conviction
Back in New York, Kee faced an array of charges, including the murder of Rasheeda Washington, the kidnapping and false imprisonment of Angelique Stalling, and the rapes from 1995 and 1996. Further DNA testing revealed Kee's involvement in the unsolved murders of Paola Illera and Johalis Castro, as well as a rape from 1992.
The trial commenced in 2000. Kee, maintaining his innocence, pled not guilty to all charges. Taking the stand, he claimed he was being framed and alleged that the DNA evidence was fabricated. However, his assertions crumbled as surviving victims identified him as their attacker. On December 16, 2000, the jury found Kee guilty of all three murders and three additional rapes. In a defiant outburst, Kee shouted, "Fuck all of y’all!" as the verdict was read. In January 2001, he was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without parole.
A New Trial and Admission
The story didn't end there. In 2004, authorities continued their pursuit of justice, analyzing DNA from unsolved cases in Harlem. Their efforts paid off when they matched Kee's DNA to a 1994 unsolved rape of a 17-year-old girl in her basement apartment. The trial was set for June 2004, but this time, Kee did not contest his guilt. Instead, he confessed to the crime, expressing remorse and a desire for forgiveness. On August 12, 2004, he was sentenced to 20 years for this rape, to be served concurrently with his existing life sentences.
Conclusion
Arohn Kee's capture and convictions brought a semblance of closure to a community haunted by his crimes. His case is a stark reminder of the importance of forensic science in solving crimes and the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement. Kee remains imprisoned at Attica Correctional Facility, where he serves his sentence, ensuring he can no longer harm others.
Sources
- Inmate Lookup
- "Jailed rapist selling tales of his crime on the Internet." Daily News and Analysis. Asian News International, June 15, 2009. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021.
- Finkelstein, Katherine E.; Waldman, Amy. "Rage and Taunts Fill Courtroom as a Killer Gets Life in Prison." The New York Times, January 27, 2001. Archived from the original on March 29, 2024.
- Italiano, Laura. "Evil Serial Killer Nailed for Vicious 1994 Rape." New York Post, August 13, 2004. Archived from the original on November 5, 2023.
- "Deputy Inspector Joseph Reznick gives presser at 23 pct." New York Daily News, February 15, 1999. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024.
- Roane, Kit R. "Murder Suspect Found With Missing Girl." The New York Times, February 20, 1999. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024.
- Rohde, David. "Manhattan Man Guilty in Rape and Murder Spree." The New York Times, December 21, 2000. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023.
For more information about serial killers in the United States, visit Wikipedia.
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
Loading comments...
First Murder
Arohn Kee murders 13-year-old Paola Illera.
Second Murder
Kee rapes and murders 19-year-old Johalis Castro.
Third Murder
Kee rapes and murders 18-year-old Rasheeda Washington.
DNA Evidence Found
DNA from Rasheeda Washington's body links Kee to earlier rapes.
Arrest of Arohn Kee
Kee is arrested in Miami after kidnapping Angelique Stalling.
Guilty Verdict
Kee found guilty of three murders and three rapes.
Sentencing
Kee sentenced to three consecutive life terms.
Additional Conviction
Kee sentenced to 20 years for 1994 rape, concurrent with life sentences.