Eastbound Strangler
Atlantic City Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
TIME PERIOD
October – November 2006
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
In October and November 2006, four women, identified as sex workers, were found murdered and placed in a drainage ditch behind the Golden Key Motel in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, with evidence suggesting they were strangled. Despite ongoing investigations and a $25,000 reward for information, the case remains unsolved, with no suspects formally charged. The Eastbound Strangler continues to elude law enforcement.
Theories surrounding the Eastbound Strangler case include speculation about Terry Oleson, a repairman at the Golden Key Motel, who was implicated by his girlfriend but lacks any DNA evidence linking him to the murders. Additionally, Eldred Raymond Burchell, known as the "River Man," is another suspect due to his confession to a prostitute about killing people, although he has not been connected to any specific murders. The community remains engaged in the search for the true identity of the killer, as evidenced by the unclaimed reward for information.
The Eastbound Strangler: A Chilling Mystery
Overview
The Eastbound Strangler is a phantom of terror, an unidentified serial killer believed to have claimed the lives of four women in the shadowy corners of Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 2006. Despite a $25,000 reward for information leading to the capture of this elusive predator, no one has stepped forward. The chilling question remains: who is the Eastbound Strangler?
Quick Facts
- Other Names: Atlantic City Serial Killer
- Number of Victims: 4
- Span of Crimes: October – November 2006
- Country: United States
- State: New Jersey
- Date Apprehended: N/A
Background
The gruesome discovery unfolded on November 20, 2006, when the lifeless bodies of four women, all identified as sex workers, were found in a drainage ditch behind the Golden Key Motel on the Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township, just outside Atlantic City. The bodies were positioned face down in a grim line, about sixty feet apart, each one facing east. Their clothes remained intact, but their shoes and socks were mysteriously missing, suggesting a calculated act of cruelty. All four women were believed to have been strangled to death.
Investigation
As investigators delved into the case, one name emerged from the chaos: Terry Oleson, a 41-year-old repairman staying for free at the Golden Key Motel in exchange for his work. His girlfriend implicated him as the killer amidst a domestic dispute. However, the evidence fell short; while investigators found cameras in Oleson's room capturing images of his girlfriend's teenage daughter undressing, there was no DNA to connect him to the murders, and he was never formally named as a suspect.
Another figure, Eldred Raymond Burchell—nicknamed the "River Man," possibly in homage to the infamous Green River Killer—came under suspicion after he confessed to another prostitute that he had killed before. Yet, no evidence tied him to these specific murders.
Police also questioned Charles Coles, a drug dealer linked to victim Kim Raffo, and Mark Hessee, an acquaintance of both Raffo and Barbara Breidor. Both were released without charges, leaving the investigation shrouded in uncertainty.
The Gilgo Beach Serial Killings Connection
In 2010, authorities considered a potential link between the Eastbound Strangler and the notorious Gilgo Beach serial killings. However, this theory was later dismissed. The investigation resurfaced in 2023 when a suspect was arrested in connection with the Gilgo Beach murders, prompting police to revisit the potential connection, only for prosecutors to rule it out once again.
Victims
Each victim’s story adds a layer of tragedy to this grim narrative:
Barbara V. Breidor, 42: A sex worker who battled cocaine addiction, Barbara vanished in October 2006 but wasn't reported missing for weeks. Identified through dental records, her body was so decomposed that the cause of death remained a mystery.
Molly Jean Dilts, 20: Hailing from Black Lick, Pennsylvania, Molly was last seen days before her disappearance. Though she had no prior record of sex work, authorities believed she was involved in it at the time of her death. Like Barbara, her body was too far gone to determine a cause of death.
Kim Raffo, 35: Once a waitress from Canarsie, Brooklyn, Kim was a mother who turned to sex work in Atlantic City. She was last seen alive just a day before the bodies were discovered and is believed to be the last victim to have been killed, strangled with a rope or cord.
Tracy Ann Roberts, 23: A former erotic dancer from Delaware, Tracy also struggled with drug addiction. Last seen in November 2006 after a violent encounter with someone who wanted to be her pimp, she was found to have been asphyxiated.
Popular Culture
The haunting case of the Eastbound Strangler has not faded into obscurity; it continues to captivate the public’s imagination. Investigation Discovery's Dark Minds featured an episode on the case on February 2, 2012. Additionally, the case was highlighted in episodes 3 ("Danse Macabre") and 4 ("A Darkness on the Edge of Town") of The Killing Season. The 2021 Lifetime movie The Long Island Serial Killer: A Mother's Hunt for Justice also acknowledged the victims, drawing parallels to the Long Island Serial Killer case. True crime enthusiasts can explore the case further through the Method & Madness podcast, specifically Episode 77 titled "The Path: Murders in Atlantic City."
Conclusion
The Eastbound Strangler remains an enigma, a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk in even the most vibrant locales. As the investigation continues, the families of the victims, and indeed the community, cling to the hope that one day, the truth will emerge from the shadows.
Sources
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First Victim Disappears
Barbara V. Breidor, a sex worker, disappears in Atlantic City.
Investigation Begins
Police suspect a serial killer is responsible for the murders of the four women.
Bodies Discovered
Four bodies of women are found in a drainage ditch behind the Golden Key Motel.
Suspect Implicated
Terry Oleson is implicated by his girlfriend but later cleared due to lack of evidence.
Gilgo Beach Connection Investigated
Law enforcement explores a possible link between the Eastbound Strangler and the Gilgo Beach killings.
Connection Ruled Out
Authorities rule out any connection between the Eastbound Strangler and the Gilgo Beach murders.
New Suspect Considered
Suffolk County police revisit the theory of a connection after a suspect is arrested in the Gilgo Beach case.
Connection Again Ruled Out
Prosecutors confirm no known link between the Gilgo Beach suspect and the Eastbound Strangler case.
In October and November 2006, four women, identified as sex workers, were found murdered and placed in a drainage ditch behind the Golden Key Motel in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, with evidence suggesting they were strangled. Despite ongoing investigations and a $25,000 reward for information, the case remains unsolved, with no suspects formally charged. The Eastbound Strangler continues to elude law enforcement.
Theories surrounding the Eastbound Strangler case include speculation about Terry Oleson, a repairman at the Golden Key Motel, who was implicated by his girlfriend but lacks any DNA evidence linking him to the murders. Additionally, Eldred Raymond Burchell, known as the "River Man," is another suspect due to his confession to a prostitute about killing people, although he has not been connected to any specific murders. The community remains engaged in the search for the true identity of the killer, as evidenced by the unclaimed reward for information.
The Eastbound Strangler: A Chilling Mystery
Overview
The Eastbound Strangler is a phantom of terror, an unidentified serial killer believed to have claimed the lives of four women in the shadowy corners of Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 2006. Despite a $25,000 reward for information leading to the capture of this elusive predator, no one has stepped forward. The chilling question remains: who is the Eastbound Strangler?
Quick Facts
- Other Names: Atlantic City Serial Killer
- Number of Victims: 4
- Span of Crimes: October – November 2006
- Country: United States
- State: New Jersey
- Date Apprehended: N/A
Background
The gruesome discovery unfolded on November 20, 2006, when the lifeless bodies of four women, all identified as sex workers, were found in a drainage ditch behind the Golden Key Motel on the Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township, just outside Atlantic City. The bodies were positioned face down in a grim line, about sixty feet apart, each one facing east. Their clothes remained intact, but their shoes and socks were mysteriously missing, suggesting a calculated act of cruelty. All four women were believed to have been strangled to death.
Investigation
As investigators delved into the case, one name emerged from the chaos: Terry Oleson, a 41-year-old repairman staying for free at the Golden Key Motel in exchange for his work. His girlfriend implicated him as the killer amidst a domestic dispute. However, the evidence fell short; while investigators found cameras in Oleson's room capturing images of his girlfriend's teenage daughter undressing, there was no DNA to connect him to the murders, and he was never formally named as a suspect.
Another figure, Eldred Raymond Burchell—nicknamed the "River Man," possibly in homage to the infamous Green River Killer—came under suspicion after he confessed to another prostitute that he had killed before. Yet, no evidence tied him to these specific murders.
Police also questioned Charles Coles, a drug dealer linked to victim Kim Raffo, and Mark Hessee, an acquaintance of both Raffo and Barbara Breidor. Both were released without charges, leaving the investigation shrouded in uncertainty.
The Gilgo Beach Serial Killings Connection
In 2010, authorities considered a potential link between the Eastbound Strangler and the notorious Gilgo Beach serial killings. However, this theory was later dismissed. The investigation resurfaced in 2023 when a suspect was arrested in connection with the Gilgo Beach murders, prompting police to revisit the potential connection, only for prosecutors to rule it out once again.
Victims
Each victim’s story adds a layer of tragedy to this grim narrative:
Barbara V. Breidor, 42: A sex worker who battled cocaine addiction, Barbara vanished in October 2006 but wasn't reported missing for weeks. Identified through dental records, her body was so decomposed that the cause of death remained a mystery.
Molly Jean Dilts, 20: Hailing from Black Lick, Pennsylvania, Molly was last seen days before her disappearance. Though she had no prior record of sex work, authorities believed she was involved in it at the time of her death. Like Barbara, her body was too far gone to determine a cause of death.
Kim Raffo, 35: Once a waitress from Canarsie, Brooklyn, Kim was a mother who turned to sex work in Atlantic City. She was last seen alive just a day before the bodies were discovered and is believed to be the last victim to have been killed, strangled with a rope or cord.
Tracy Ann Roberts, 23: A former erotic dancer from Delaware, Tracy also struggled with drug addiction. Last seen in November 2006 after a violent encounter with someone who wanted to be her pimp, she was found to have been asphyxiated.
Popular Culture
The haunting case of the Eastbound Strangler has not faded into obscurity; it continues to captivate the public’s imagination. Investigation Discovery's Dark Minds featured an episode on the case on February 2, 2012. Additionally, the case was highlighted in episodes 3 ("Danse Macabre") and 4 ("A Darkness on the Edge of Town") of The Killing Season. The 2021 Lifetime movie The Long Island Serial Killer: A Mother's Hunt for Justice also acknowledged the victims, drawing parallels to the Long Island Serial Killer case. True crime enthusiasts can explore the case further through the Method & Madness podcast, specifically Episode 77 titled "The Path: Murders in Atlantic City."
Conclusion
The Eastbound Strangler remains an enigma, a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk in even the most vibrant locales. As the investigation continues, the families of the victims, and indeed the community, cling to the hope that one day, the truth will emerge from the shadows.
Sources
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 Victim Disappears
Barbara V. Breidor, a sex worker, disappears in Atlantic City.
Investigation Begins
Police suspect a serial killer is responsible for the murders of the four women.
Bodies Discovered
Four bodies of women are found in a drainage ditch behind the Golden Key Motel.
Suspect Implicated
Terry Oleson is implicated by his girlfriend but later cleared due to lack of evidence.
Gilgo Beach Connection Investigated
Law enforcement explores a possible link between the Eastbound Strangler and the Gilgo Beach killings.
Connection Ruled Out
Authorities rule out any connection between the Eastbound Strangler and the Gilgo Beach murders.
New Suspect Considered
Suffolk County police revisit the theory of a connection after a suspect is arrested in the Gilgo Beach case.
Connection Again Ruled Out
Prosecutors confirm no known link between the Gilgo Beach suspect and the Eastbound Strangler case.