The Sinister Tale of Harrison Graham: The Cookie Monster Killer

Introduction

Philadelphia in the mid-1980s was a city grappling with crime and poverty. Yet, nestled in this urban chaos, a series of chilling events unfolded that would shock the nation. Harrison Frank "Marty" Graham, born on September 9, 1959, became infamous as a serial killer who took the lives of seven women and kept their remains within the confines of his North Philadelphia apartment. The heinous acts occurred between mid-1986 and mid-1987, earning him a place in the annals of American crime history. Arrested in 1987, Graham's trial concluded with a death sentence in 1988, later commuted to life imprisonment. Intriguingly, his residence was a mere mile and a half from that of another notorious murderer, Gary M. Heidnik, who was apprehended around the same time for similar atrocities.

Early Life and Background

Harrison Graham was the eldest of five children, born and raised in Philadelphia. From an early age, Graham showed signs of intellectual disability, which affected both his academic performance and his behavior. His struggles in school led to his eventual expulsion from Olney High School after tenth grade, due to poor grades and frequent absences. His mother claimed that in 1971, Graham was diagnosed with a mental disorder and spent two years in a mental health facility, although this claim remains unverified.

Graham's entry into the workforce in the early 1970s saw him take on various roles within the construction industry. By 1979, he had moved out of his parents' home, settling in a crime-ridden neighborhood in North Philadelphia. This period marked the beginning of his descent into alcohol and drug abuse, and he became entangled with the local underworld of pimps and prostitutes. Despite his towering, athletic build, Graham was not known for violence and had no criminal record. In 1983, he rented an apartment in a predominantly vacant housing complex, where he and other residents turned the parking lot into a hub for drug activities. Over the next four years, his apartment became a notorious drug den, frequented by those seeking substances like Ritalin. Despite his involvement in the drug scene, Graham was considered a non-threatening figure, regularly paying his rent and engaging with neighborhood youths on the basketball court. He lived off a disability pension, and many described him as a "nice man."

The Horrifying Discovery

In the sweltering summer of 1987, complaints from neighbors about a nauseating stench emanating from Graham's apartment reached the landlord's ears. Ignoring initial complaints, Graham was eventually confronted on August 9 by the landlord, who demanded he vacate the premises. In an act of defiance, Graham boarded up his apartment door, gathered his belongings, and fled via the fire escape.

Unable to gain entry, the landlord summoned the police. What they found inside was a scene of unimaginable horror. Two bodies lay naked and partially dressed, surrounded by a sea of garbage and dirty mattresses. Skeletonized remains were discovered wrapped in a blanket in the closet, and a green duffel bag on the roof contained bones from yet another victim. The basement excavation revealed additional skeletal parts, completing the gruesome tally to seven victims. Due to the advanced decomposition of most bodies, determining their cause of death was challenging, though two were confirmed as strangulation cases.

As the investigation unfolded, Graham was added to the wanted list. For a week, he eluded capture, reportedly spotted at various locations like public transport, fast food joints, and shelters. Finally, on August 17, Graham's mother persuaded him to surrender. He was arrested ten blocks from his apartment by Officers Ed Spangler and Larry Brzycki. At the police station, Graham confessed to the murders, revealing he had strangled the women following drug-fueled sexual encounters. His first murder dated back to late 1986, with one victim killed because she stumbled upon another body. Forensic examinations corroborated parts of his confession, confirming the strangulation of two recent victims and the prolonged decomposition of others.

Victims

The victims were identified as follows:

• Cynthia Brooks, 27
• Valerie Jamison, 25
• Mary Jeter Mathis, 36
• Barbara Mahoney, 22
• Robin DeShazor, 29
• Sandra Garvin, 33
• Patricia Franklin, 24

Of particular note, Robin DeShazor was Graham's long-term girlfriend. Graham's mother recalled an incident in 1981 when she visited his apartment and witnessed drug use between Graham and DeShazor. An acquaintance alleged seeing Graham assault DeShazor in 1984.

Trial and Sentencing

Graham's trial commenced on March 7, 1988. He forwent a jury trial, having already confessed to his crimes. The prosecution sought the death penalty, while his defense attorney, Joel Moldowski, argued for leniency, citing Graham's intellectual disability and impaired judgment due to drug abuse. Throughout the proceedings, Graham remained composed. On April 28, 1988, he was found guilty on all charges, receiving six death sentences and one life imprisonment term. However, the court stipulated that his execution should only occur after serving the life sentence, effectively ensuring he would never face the death chamber.

In a peculiar post-trial request, Graham asked for the return of his Cookie Monster doll, a cherished possession seized upon his arrest. The doll had been one of the few items he took when fleeing his apartment.

Conclusion

Harrison Graham's story is a chilling reminder of the darkness that can linger beneath the surface of ordinary life. The "Cookie Monster Killer" now resides in SCI Coal Township, serving his life sentence. His tale remains a haunting chapter in the history of Philadelphia, a grim reflection on the city's past and the lives he irrevocably altered.

Sources

• Andrew Parent, "A look at eight of Philadelphia's most notorious murder cases," PhillyVoice, August 3, 2017.
• Sean Adams, "The most infamous murderers and massacres in Pa. history," The Patriot-News, December 21, 2017.
• "Death House Sealed by City," Philadelphia Daily News, August 24, 1987.
• Lindsey Gruson, "Philadelphia House Yields More Dead," The New York Times, August 11, 1987.
• "Death House Stirs Fears for Missing Kin," Philadelphia Daily News, August 12, 1987.
• "Man Surrenders; 7 Bodies in Philadelphia Apartment," Los Angeles Times, August 17, 1987.
• "Handyman admits killing 7 women," Billings Gazette, August 18, 1987.
• "Graham trial draws near end," The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 22, 1988.
• "Muddled image of 'Marty' emerges," Philadelphia Daily News, August 24, 1987.
• Katherine Ramsland, "Cookie Monster and the Serial Killer," Psychology Today, September 15, 2013.
• Harold H. Martin, "Convicted 'House of Death' killer Harrison 'Marty' Graham received..." Associated Press, May 3, 1988.
• "Philadelphia Judge Fings Man Guilty of Killing 7 Women," The New York Times, April 28, 1988.
• Kurt Heine, "Episodes Between Lawyers Enliven Serial-Killing Trial," Philadelphia Daily News, February 17, 1988.

For further reading on this dark chapter of Philadelphia's history, visit the original Wikipedia article on Harrison Graham.