Lester Ford
Queens Serial Killer and Rapist
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Queens, New York
TIME PERIOD
January – July 1991
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Lester Ford, an American serial killer and rapist, murdered three women in Queens, New York City, between January and July 1991. The first victim, Sheilda Dixon, was killed on January 6, 1991, followed by Tracy Covington on February 23, and a third victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, later that summer. Ford was apprehended on July 26, 1991, after a survivor identified him, leading to his confession. He was convicted of three counts of second-degree murder and one count of first-degree rape, resulting in a life sentence with a minimum of 40 years. Ford is currently incarcerated at Elmira Correctional Facility, and significant evidence linking him to the murders included forensic analysis and witness testimonies.
Lester Ford is believed to have targeted vulnerable women in his neighborhood, with some theorizing that his previous criminal history and unstable upbringing contributed to his violent behavior. There are speculations that he may have had accomplices or that his crimes were part of a larger pattern of violence in the area during that time. Additionally, some community members have raised concerns about the adequacy of law enforcement's response to the initial reports of the attacks.
The Crimes of Lester Ford
A Reign of Terror in Queens
Lester Ford, born on February 11, 1963, in St. Albans, Queens, New York, etched his name into the grim annals of American crime as a serial killer and rapist. Between January and July of 1991, Ford brutally murdered three women in the Queens borough of New York City. His reign of terror ended when a surviving victim identified him, leading to his arrest and confession. Convicted of three counts of second-degree murder, Ford received a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years and has since been incarcerated at the Elmira Correctional Facility.
Early Life and Criminal Beginnings
Ford's early life unfolded in the bustling neighborhood of St. Albans, where he grew up among five siblings. His descent into criminality began in 1979 when a botched drug deal landed him in prison for five years. Released in 1985, Ford's freedom was short-lived. In 1986, an attempt to sell drugs to an undercover officer resulted in another stint behind bars. Paroled in September 1989, he secured a job as a mail clerk for the now-defunct NYNEX telephone company in Long Island. By 1991, Ford resided in his mother’s home, sharing the space with his stepfather, two brothers, and two sisters. Known to his neighbors as "Justice," Ford harbored a dark secret.
The Murders Begin
On the night of January 6, 1991, the streets of Hollis, Queens, became the hunting ground for Ford's first known victim. Sheilda Dixon, a 36-year-old mother of two, was returning home after a wedding when Ford attacked her. He taped her ankles and mouth, then strangled her, leaving her lifeless body under the bleachers at Peters Park baseball field. It took nearly three weeks for her remains to be discovered and identified by her husband, Eugene, who, devastated, relocated his family to Virginia.
Ford's second victim, 28-year-old Tracy Covington, met a similar fate on February 23. As she approached her home in southeastern Queens, Ford struck. He bound and gagged her before strangling her to death, dumping her body behind a convenience store on Linden Boulevard. The similarities in the cases prompted police to warn women in Queens about an active serial killer.
On July 4, Ford raped a 16-year-old girl in St. Albans, sparing her life. But on July 24, he showed no such mercy to 20-year-old Sabrina Bost, who was eight months pregnant. After raping her at gunpoint, Ford shot her in the face. Rushed to Jamaica Medical Center, Bost was placed on life support. Despite doctors' efforts to save her child through an open cardiac massage, Bost succumbed to her injuries shortly after her baby was delivered.
The day following Bost's murder, Ford assaulted a 29-year-old woman but did not kill her. This act of violence ultimately led to his downfall.
The Arrest and Conviction
On July 26, 1991, fate caught up with Ford. While prowling through southeastern Queens, he was spotted by his latest rape victim, who was in a police surveillance van. Her positive identification led to Ford's immediate arrest. A search of his home revealed a .25 caliber handgun; ballistic tests confirmed it was the weapon used to kill Sabrina Bost.
Renowned NYPD detective Bill Clark, famed for eliciting a confession from the infamous David Berkowitz, interrogated Ford. Confronted with the mounting evidence, Ford confessed, describing himself as a "sexually determined young man." The Queens community breathed a sigh of relief as authorities announced the capture of the serial killer.
However, the case took another twist. Following Ford's confession, his girlfriend, Lisa Cruell, and her friend, Cynthia Walker, assaulted one of Ford’s surviving victims, threatening her to prevent her testimony. Both women faced charges of assault and witness tampering.
In March 1992, Ford accepted a plea deal, confessing to his heinous acts. He was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison, a term he continues to serve at Elmira Correctional Facility.
Sources
For those interested in delving deeper into the chilling story of Lester Ford, you can explore the original Wikipedia article here.
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First Murder: Sheilda Dixon
Lester Ford murders Sheilda Dixon, a 36-year-old mother, in Queens.
Second Murder: Tracy Covington
Ford murders Tracy Covington, a 28-year-old former social worker, in Queens.
Rape of 16-Year-Old
Ford rapes a 16-year-old girl in St. Albans but does not kill her.
Third Murder: Sabrina Bost
Ford rapes and murders Sabrina Bost, a pregnant woman, in Queens.
Arrest of Lester Ford
Ford is arrested after a survivor identifies him as her attacker.
Confession to Murders
Ford confesses to the murders during an interrogation by police.
Plea Agreement
Ford accepts a plea agreement, confessing to his crimes.
Sentenced to Life
Ford is sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for his crimes.
Lester Ford, an American serial killer and rapist, murdered three women in Queens, New York City, between January and July 1991. The first victim, Sheilda Dixon, was killed on January 6, 1991, followed by Tracy Covington on February 23, and a third victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, later that summer. Ford was apprehended on July 26, 1991, after a survivor identified him, leading to his confession. He was convicted of three counts of second-degree murder and one count of first-degree rape, resulting in a life sentence with a minimum of 40 years. Ford is currently incarcerated at Elmira Correctional Facility, and significant evidence linking him to the murders included forensic analysis and witness testimonies.
Lester Ford is believed to have targeted vulnerable women in his neighborhood, with some theorizing that his previous criminal history and unstable upbringing contributed to his violent behavior. There are speculations that he may have had accomplices or that his crimes were part of a larger pattern of violence in the area during that time. Additionally, some community members have raised concerns about the adequacy of law enforcement's response to the initial reports of the attacks.
The Crimes of Lester Ford
A Reign of Terror in Queens
Lester Ford, born on February 11, 1963, in St. Albans, Queens, New York, etched his name into the grim annals of American crime as a serial killer and rapist. Between January and July of 1991, Ford brutally murdered three women in the Queens borough of New York City. His reign of terror ended when a surviving victim identified him, leading to his arrest and confession. Convicted of three counts of second-degree murder, Ford received a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years and has since been incarcerated at the Elmira Correctional Facility.
Early Life and Criminal Beginnings
Ford's early life unfolded in the bustling neighborhood of St. Albans, where he grew up among five siblings. His descent into criminality began in 1979 when a botched drug deal landed him in prison for five years. Released in 1985, Ford's freedom was short-lived. In 1986, an attempt to sell drugs to an undercover officer resulted in another stint behind bars. Paroled in September 1989, he secured a job as a mail clerk for the now-defunct NYNEX telephone company in Long Island. By 1991, Ford resided in his mother’s home, sharing the space with his stepfather, two brothers, and two sisters. Known to his neighbors as "Justice," Ford harbored a dark secret.
The Murders Begin
On the night of January 6, 1991, the streets of Hollis, Queens, became the hunting ground for Ford's first known victim. Sheilda Dixon, a 36-year-old mother of two, was returning home after a wedding when Ford attacked her. He taped her ankles and mouth, then strangled her, leaving her lifeless body under the bleachers at Peters Park baseball field. It took nearly three weeks for her remains to be discovered and identified by her husband, Eugene, who, devastated, relocated his family to Virginia.
Ford's second victim, 28-year-old Tracy Covington, met a similar fate on February 23. As she approached her home in southeastern Queens, Ford struck. He bound and gagged her before strangling her to death, dumping her body behind a convenience store on Linden Boulevard. The similarities in the cases prompted police to warn women in Queens about an active serial killer.
On July 4, Ford raped a 16-year-old girl in St. Albans, sparing her life. But on July 24, he showed no such mercy to 20-year-old Sabrina Bost, who was eight months pregnant. After raping her at gunpoint, Ford shot her in the face. Rushed to Jamaica Medical Center, Bost was placed on life support. Despite doctors' efforts to save her child through an open cardiac massage, Bost succumbed to her injuries shortly after her baby was delivered.
The day following Bost's murder, Ford assaulted a 29-year-old woman but did not kill her. This act of violence ultimately led to his downfall.
The Arrest and Conviction
On July 26, 1991, fate caught up with Ford. While prowling through southeastern Queens, he was spotted by his latest rape victim, who was in a police surveillance van. Her positive identification led to Ford's immediate arrest. A search of his home revealed a .25 caliber handgun; ballistic tests confirmed it was the weapon used to kill Sabrina Bost.
Renowned NYPD detective Bill Clark, famed for eliciting a confession from the infamous David Berkowitz, interrogated Ford. Confronted with the mounting evidence, Ford confessed, describing himself as a "sexually determined young man." The Queens community breathed a sigh of relief as authorities announced the capture of the serial killer.
However, the case took another twist. Following Ford's confession, his girlfriend, Lisa Cruell, and her friend, Cynthia Walker, assaulted one of Ford’s surviving victims, threatening her to prevent her testimony. Both women faced charges of assault and witness tampering.
In March 1992, Ford accepted a plea deal, confessing to his heinous acts. He was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison, a term he continues to serve at Elmira Correctional Facility.
Sources
For those interested in delving deeper into the chilling story of Lester Ford, you can explore the original Wikipedia article here.
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
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First Murder: Sheilda Dixon
Lester Ford murders Sheilda Dixon, a 36-year-old mother, in Queens.
Second Murder: Tracy Covington
Ford murders Tracy Covington, a 28-year-old former social worker, in Queens.
Rape of 16-Year-Old
Ford rapes a 16-year-old girl in St. Albans but does not kill her.
Third Murder: Sabrina Bost
Ford rapes and murders Sabrina Bost, a pregnant woman, in Queens.
Arrest of Lester Ford
Ford is arrested after a survivor identifies him as her attacker.
Confession to Murders
Ford confesses to the murders during an interrogation by police.
Plea Agreement
Ford accepts a plea agreement, confessing to his crimes.
Sentenced to Life
Ford is sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for his crimes.