The Bigfoot Killer

Overview

The Bigfoot Killer is the chilling moniker assigned to an unidentified American serial killer who terrorized Detroit in the mid-1970s. Between February and October 1975, this predator brutally raped and murdered seven young women and girls, all of whom were engaged in prostitution and living in poverty. The heart of this grim saga unfolds in the Cass Corridor neighborhood—a place that became synonymous with fear during this dark chapter in the city's history.

Quick Facts

• Other Names: The Cass Ripper
• Victims: 7
• Span of Crimes: February – October 1975
• Country: United States
• State: Michigan
• Date Apprehended: Never apprehended

The Murders

The Bigfoot Killer targeted vulnerable women and adolescents aged 16 to 43 who were engaged in sex work on the grimy streets of Detroit. The timeline reveals that in early 1975, at least four rapes occurred, with survivors bravely coming forward to describe their attacker. From these descriptions, investigators were able to create a composite sketch of the suspect.

The killer's reign of terror lasted from February 16 to October 20, 1975, during which he murdered seven women—five of whom were Black and two White. The modus operandi was disturbingly consistent: he would lure victims to his beige Oldsmobile, offering them $15 for sexual services. Once inside, he would threaten them with a knife, brutally beat, rape, sodomize, and ultimately strangle them to death.

Eyewitness reports painted a picture of the suspect as a tall, muscular African-American man with facial hair and an afro, likely between the ages of 30 and 35. His physical characteristics—particularly his large hands and feet—led investigators to suspect he might have had acromegaly, a disorder that results in the abnormal growth of bones and tissues. This distinctive feature contributed to his nickname, “Bigfoot.”

As news of the killings spread, outrage grew in the Cass Corridor. By the end of 1975, activists and concerned residents organized a rally outside the police station, demanding accountability from law enforcement. They accused the authorities of negligence, arguing that the victims' marginalized status led to a lack of urgency in the investigation. Protesters highlighted a police leaflet that included the killer's description and a contact number, which, frustratingly, was unavailable after hours. Law enforcement officials defended their efforts, asserting that they were doing everything possible to catch the killer.

Suspect

The investigation took a twist on January 27, 1976, when 29-year-old Carl Mayweather Jr., a Black man from Detroit, was arrested during an attempted rape in River Rouge. He quickly became a prime suspect due to his physical resemblance to the killer and his previous conviction for assaulting a woman, despite coming from a wealthy family and holding a managerial position in his father's company.

Mayweather was tall, athletic, and wore size 12.5 shoes—details that aligned with descriptions of the Bigfoot Killer. Following his arrest, authorities were eager to connect him to the string of murders, especially after he was charged with rape and robbery in February 1976. However, as the investigation unfolded, it became clear that Mayweather had a solid alibi for at least four of the murders. Consequently, he was eliminated as a suspect, and the killer remained at large.

The Victims

The victims of the Bigfoot Killer were:

• Valinda Brown (February 16)
• Julie Brown, 16 years old (April 24)
• Regina Foshee, 19 years old (May 1)
• Naomi Hall, 22 years old (May 3)
• Eoria Dick, 22 years old (June 13)
• Andrea Coxton, 22 years old (July 13)
• Dorothy Holmes, 43 years old (October 19)

Each of these women had their own stories, hopes, and dreams, tragically cut short by a remorseless killer. Their lives, though marginalized in the eyes of society, deserve to be remembered and honored.

Conclusion

The Bigfoot Killer has never been apprehended, and the case remains open and unsolved to this day. This haunting chapter in Detroit's history serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerability of marginalized individuals and the urgent need for justice in the face of societal neglect.

Sources

• Hunter, George (June 5, 2019). Detroit police expand hunt for serial killer targeting sex workers. The Detroit News. Archived from the original on 2019-06-05.
• "Police Begin Hunt For Cass 'Ripper'". Detroit Free Press. June 20, 1975. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26.
• "Detroit Police Hunt For 'Big Foot,' Accused Of Killing 5 Streetwalkers". Argus Leader. July 24, 1975. Archived from the original on 2021-08-22.
• "Women seek actions on Cass Rape-Murder Cases". Detroit Free Press. July 25, 1975. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26.
• "Suspect Assigned To Court". The Daily Telegram. February 7, 1976. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26.
• "Cass 'Bigfoot' Rape-Slaying Suspect Held Continued". Detroit Free Press. January 30, 1976. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26.
• "Galoshes Didn't Help Suspect in 'Bigfoot' Case". Detroit Free Press. February 1, 1976. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26.
• "Bigfoot Suspect Is Cleared: Mayweather still held in 3 rapes". Detroit Free Press. March 3, 1976. Archived from the original on 2021-02-25.
• "Experts define psyches of men who become prostitute killers". Detroit Free Press. November 17, 1980. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26.
• "Detroit Bigfoot". Detroit Free Press. March 3, 1976. p. 3.

For more information, you can check the original Wikipedia article here.