Bobby Joe Long
Florida Serial Killer and Rapist
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Tampa Bay, Florida
TIME PERIOD
March 27 – November 11, 1984
VICTIMS
10 confirmed
Bobby Joe Long, an American serial killer and rapist, committed a series of abductions, sexual assaults, and murders of at least ten women in the Tampa Bay area of Florida between March 27 and November 11, 1984. Long, who was apprehended on November 16, 1984, was later convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Michelle Denise Simms, among other charges, including life sentences for seven additional murders. He was executed by lethal injection on May 23, 2019, at the Florida State Prison. Significant evidence included DNA analysis linking Long to the victims, as well as his modus operandi of targeting women in vulnerable situations, which ultimately led to his capture and conviction.
Investigators and the public speculate that Bobby Joe Long's violent behavior may have been influenced by his childhood experiences, including teasing for his physical appearance due to Klinefelter syndrome and multiple head injuries. Some believe that his abusive upbringing and psychological issues contributed to his criminal behavior. Additionally, there are theories that Long's choice of victims was linked to his perception of women, possibly stemming from his troubled relationships with them throughout his life.
The Sinister Tale of Bobby Joe Long: The Classified Ad Rapist
Beginnings of a Serial Killer
Bobby Joe Long entered the world on October 14, 1953, in the small town of Kenova, West Virginia, a place far removed from the haunting notoriety he would later gain. Born to Joe and Louetta Long, Bobby’s life was marked from the start by medical and familial hurdles. He had Klinefelter syndrome, a condition where an additional X chromosome led to excessive estrogen production, causing him to develop female traits such as breasts. This made him a target for relentless teasing, culminating in breast reduction surgery during his adolescence. Further compounding his hardships, Bobby endured multiple head injuries from accidents as a child.
The complexities of his life extended beyond medical issues into his home. Bobby’s relationship with his mother was notably dysfunctional; he shared her bed until his teenage years and harbored deep resentment towards the parade of short-term boyfriends she entertained. In 1974, Bobby married his high school sweetheart, Cynthia Barlett, and they had two children together. However, the marriage dissolved in 1980 after Cynthia cited domestic and sexual abuse.
A Trail of Terror
By 1983, Bobby Joe Long found himself in the Tampa Bay area, teetering on the brink of infamy. The following year, on probation for an assault charge, he unleashed a spree of terror. His first known victim was 20-year-old Artiss "Ann" Wick, whom he raped and strangled in March 1984. Her body lay undiscovered until November 22 of that year. Artiss had reportedly hitchhiked from Gas City, Indiana, to Tampa, where she was engaged to be married.
In a separate attack, Long broke into the home of 33-year-old Linda Nuttall, broadening the scope of his brutality. However, it was the abduction of 17-year-old Lisa McVey that would become a pivotal moment in his downfall. On November 3, 1984, as Lisa rode her bike home from work, Long abducted her, blindfolded her, and held her captive. Despite the terror, Lisa bravely left fingerprints around his home, knowing it could aid future investigations. After 26 harrowing hours, Long inexplicably released her. Lisa provided crucial details about Long’s home, vehicle, and a specific ATM visit, leading investigators to his doorstep.
The Capture
On November 16, 1984, outside a movie theater, law enforcement apprehended Bobby Joe Long. He faced charges of sexual battery and kidnapping concerning Lisa McVey. The investigative team, armed with a formal Miranda waiver, obtained his confession for McVey’s abduction. When the questioning turned to the unsolved murders, Long hesitated, stating, "I'd rather not answer that." Eventually, confronted with photographs of his victims, Long opted to request an attorney—though none was provided at that time—and confessed to eight murders in Hillsborough County and one in Pasco County. Crucially, FBI fiber analysis had already linked Long’s vehicle to several crime scenes, bolstering the case against him.
The Trial and Sentencing
In a strategic move, the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office, alongside the Public Defender's Office, struck a plea deal with Long on September 24, 1985. Long pled guilty to eight homicides and the abduction and rape of Lisa McVey, receiving a staggering 26 life sentences without parole (24 concurrent and two consecutive) and seven life sentences with parole eligibility after 25 years. The plea retained the state's right to seek the death penalty for Michelle Simms' murder. By July 1986, Long was found guilty and sentenced to die by lethal injection.
Despite his confessions, legal technicalities led to the exclusion of Long's admissions in court. His trial proceeded directly to the penalty phase, reflecting the legal norms of the 1980s. Long's appeal efforts saw mixed results; his death sentence for Virginia Johnson's murder was overturned, and his conviction was reversed, leading to an acquittal order.
The Victims
Bobby Joe Long's reign of terror claimed at least ten lives between March and November 1984. His victims included:
- Nguen "Lana" Long, 19
- Michelle Simms, 22
- Elizabeth Loudenback, 22
- Chanel Williams, 18
- Karen Dinsfriend, 28
- Kimberly Hopps, 22
- Virginia Johnson, 18
- Kim Swann, 21
- Vicki Elliot, 21
- Artiss Wick, 20
Long's conviction excluded the murders of Johnson and Wick, as the evidence fell short of the legal threshold.
The Execution
The long-awaited justice for Long’s heinous acts came on April 23, 2019, when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed his death warrant, marking the first such action of his administration. Despite Long's appeals, the legal process reached its finality. On May 23, 2019, Long faced execution by lethal injection, 35 years after his arrest. He consumed a final meal of roast beef, bacon, French fries, and soda at 9:30 a.m., maintaining silence as his life ended at 7:00 p.m.
Cultural Impact
The chilling story of Bobby Joe Long and the remarkable survival of Lisa McVey inspired the 2018 TV movie "Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey," directed by Jim Donovan, featuring Katie Douglas as McVey and Rossif Sutherland as Long. This film served as a stark reminder of the horrors endured by Long’s victims and the resilience of those who survived.
Sources
For more detailed information, you can visit the Wikipedia entry on Bobby Joe Long.
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First Murder Committed
Bobby Joe Long rapes and strangles Artiss Wick, marking the start of his killing spree.
Abduction of Lisa McVey
Long abducts 17-year-old Lisa McVey, who later provides crucial evidence to police.
Long Arrested
Bobby Joe Long is arrested outside a movie theater, linked to multiple murders through evidence.
Guilty Plea
Long pleads guilty to eight homicides and the abduction and rape of Lisa McVey, receiving multiple life sentences.
Death Sentence
Long is sentenced to death for the murder of Michelle Simms, marking a significant moment in the case.
Death Warrant Signed
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs Long's death warrant, setting the stage for his execution.
Execution
Bobby Joe Long is executed by lethal injection after more than 30 years on death row.
Bobby Joe Long, an American serial killer and rapist, committed a series of abductions, sexual assaults, and murders of at least ten women in the Tampa Bay area of Florida between March 27 and November 11, 1984. Long, who was apprehended on November 16, 1984, was later convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Michelle Denise Simms, among other charges, including life sentences for seven additional murders. He was executed by lethal injection on May 23, 2019, at the Florida State Prison. Significant evidence included DNA analysis linking Long to the victims, as well as his modus operandi of targeting women in vulnerable situations, which ultimately led to his capture and conviction.
Investigators and the public speculate that Bobby Joe Long's violent behavior may have been influenced by his childhood experiences, including teasing for his physical appearance due to Klinefelter syndrome and multiple head injuries. Some believe that his abusive upbringing and psychological issues contributed to his criminal behavior. Additionally, there are theories that Long's choice of victims was linked to his perception of women, possibly stemming from his troubled relationships with them throughout his life.
The Sinister Tale of Bobby Joe Long: The Classified Ad Rapist
Beginnings of a Serial Killer
Bobby Joe Long entered the world on October 14, 1953, in the small town of Kenova, West Virginia, a place far removed from the haunting notoriety he would later gain. Born to Joe and Louetta Long, Bobby’s life was marked from the start by medical and familial hurdles. He had Klinefelter syndrome, a condition where an additional X chromosome led to excessive estrogen production, causing him to develop female traits such as breasts. This made him a target for relentless teasing, culminating in breast reduction surgery during his adolescence. Further compounding his hardships, Bobby endured multiple head injuries from accidents as a child.
The complexities of his life extended beyond medical issues into his home. Bobby’s relationship with his mother was notably dysfunctional; he shared her bed until his teenage years and harbored deep resentment towards the parade of short-term boyfriends she entertained. In 1974, Bobby married his high school sweetheart, Cynthia Barlett, and they had two children together. However, the marriage dissolved in 1980 after Cynthia cited domestic and sexual abuse.
A Trail of Terror
By 1983, Bobby Joe Long found himself in the Tampa Bay area, teetering on the brink of infamy. The following year, on probation for an assault charge, he unleashed a spree of terror. His first known victim was 20-year-old Artiss "Ann" Wick, whom he raped and strangled in March 1984. Her body lay undiscovered until November 22 of that year. Artiss had reportedly hitchhiked from Gas City, Indiana, to Tampa, where she was engaged to be married.
In a separate attack, Long broke into the home of 33-year-old Linda Nuttall, broadening the scope of his brutality. However, it was the abduction of 17-year-old Lisa McVey that would become a pivotal moment in his downfall. On November 3, 1984, as Lisa rode her bike home from work, Long abducted her, blindfolded her, and held her captive. Despite the terror, Lisa bravely left fingerprints around his home, knowing it could aid future investigations. After 26 harrowing hours, Long inexplicably released her. Lisa provided crucial details about Long’s home, vehicle, and a specific ATM visit, leading investigators to his doorstep.
The Capture
On November 16, 1984, outside a movie theater, law enforcement apprehended Bobby Joe Long. He faced charges of sexual battery and kidnapping concerning Lisa McVey. The investigative team, armed with a formal Miranda waiver, obtained his confession for McVey’s abduction. When the questioning turned to the unsolved murders, Long hesitated, stating, "I'd rather not answer that." Eventually, confronted with photographs of his victims, Long opted to request an attorney—though none was provided at that time—and confessed to eight murders in Hillsborough County and one in Pasco County. Crucially, FBI fiber analysis had already linked Long’s vehicle to several crime scenes, bolstering the case against him.
The Trial and Sentencing
In a strategic move, the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office, alongside the Public Defender's Office, struck a plea deal with Long on September 24, 1985. Long pled guilty to eight homicides and the abduction and rape of Lisa McVey, receiving a staggering 26 life sentences without parole (24 concurrent and two consecutive) and seven life sentences with parole eligibility after 25 years. The plea retained the state's right to seek the death penalty for Michelle Simms' murder. By July 1986, Long was found guilty and sentenced to die by lethal injection.
Despite his confessions, legal technicalities led to the exclusion of Long's admissions in court. His trial proceeded directly to the penalty phase, reflecting the legal norms of the 1980s. Long's appeal efforts saw mixed results; his death sentence for Virginia Johnson's murder was overturned, and his conviction was reversed, leading to an acquittal order.
The Victims
Bobby Joe Long's reign of terror claimed at least ten lives between March and November 1984. His victims included:
- Nguen "Lana" Long, 19
- Michelle Simms, 22
- Elizabeth Loudenback, 22
- Chanel Williams, 18
- Karen Dinsfriend, 28
- Kimberly Hopps, 22
- Virginia Johnson, 18
- Kim Swann, 21
- Vicki Elliot, 21
- Artiss Wick, 20
Long's conviction excluded the murders of Johnson and Wick, as the evidence fell short of the legal threshold.
The Execution
The long-awaited justice for Long’s heinous acts came on April 23, 2019, when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed his death warrant, marking the first such action of his administration. Despite Long's appeals, the legal process reached its finality. On May 23, 2019, Long faced execution by lethal injection, 35 years after his arrest. He consumed a final meal of roast beef, bacon, French fries, and soda at 9:30 a.m., maintaining silence as his life ended at 7:00 p.m.
Cultural Impact
The chilling story of Bobby Joe Long and the remarkable survival of Lisa McVey inspired the 2018 TV movie "Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey," directed by Jim Donovan, featuring Katie Douglas as McVey and Rossif Sutherland as Long. This film served as a stark reminder of the horrors endured by Long’s victims and the resilience of those who survived.
Sources
For more detailed information, you can visit the Wikipedia entry on Bobby Joe Long.
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 Committed
Bobby Joe Long rapes and strangles Artiss Wick, marking the start of his killing spree.
Abduction of Lisa McVey
Long abducts 17-year-old Lisa McVey, who later provides crucial evidence to police.
Long Arrested
Bobby Joe Long is arrested outside a movie theater, linked to multiple murders through evidence.
Guilty Plea
Long pleads guilty to eight homicides and the abduction and rape of Lisa McVey, receiving multiple life sentences.
Death Sentence
Long is sentenced to death for the murder of Michelle Simms, marking a significant moment in the case.
Death Warrant Signed
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs Long's death warrant, setting the stage for his execution.
Execution
Bobby Joe Long is executed by lethal injection after more than 30 years on death row.