Michael Player
Los Angeles Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Los Angeles, California
TIME PERIOD
September – October 1986
VICTIMS
10 confirmed
Michael Player, infamously known as "The Skid Row Slayer," embarked on a brutal killing spree in Los Angeles' Skid Row during the fall of 1986, resulting in the murders of ten individuals, primarily targeting the homeless community. His criminal history, which began in the late 1970s under the alias Marcus Nisby, included multiple arrests for robbery and weapon possession, leading to several prison sentences. The violence commenced on September 4, 1986, with the murder of Rudolfo Roque, followed by a series of attacks on vulnerable individuals, often executed in the early morning hours. Despite being briefly detained after the first murder, Player evaded capture for weeks, continuing his rampage until his eventual arrest. The case highlights the urgent need for law enforcement to address the safety of marginalized populations and the complexities of tracking serial offenders.
Michael Player is believed to have targeted homeless individuals due to their vulnerability, committing his murders execution-style in the early hours of the day. Some speculate that his criminal history and experiences with the justice system may have contributed to his violent behavior. There is also a theory that the murders were a means for Player to exert power and control over his victims, reflecting deeper psychological issues.
The Skid Row Slayer: The Chilling Tale of Michael Player
In the dark alleys and forgotten corners of Los Angeles' Skid Row, a chilling series of murders unfolded in the fall of 1986. At the center of this grim narrative was Michael Player, a man whose life and crimes would earn him the notorious moniker, "The Skid Row Slayer." Born on September 6, 1960, in Los Angeles, California, Player's life was marked by a criminal trajectory that culminated in the cold-blooded murder of ten individuals over a brief yet terrifying span.
Early Life and Criminal Beginnings
Michael Player's early years remain shrouded in mystery, but what is known paints a portrait of a man drawn to a life of crime. By the late 1970s, under the alias Marcus Nisby, Player had already found himself on the wrong side of the law. The Californian authorities prosecuted him numerous times during this period. As the 1980s dawned, Player's criminal activities escalated. In October 1983, he was convicted of robbery, and while attempting another theft, he was arrested and sentenced to six months in prison.
The legal troubles continued to mount for Player. In the summer of 1984, he faced charges for illegal possession of weapons, resulting in a two-year prison sentence. Despite receiving parole in 1985, Player couldn't stay out of trouble. His repeated offenses led to another arrest for violating parole conditions, landing him a 60-day prison sentence by July 1985.
The Murders Begin
The horror commenced on September 4, 1986, when Michael Player embarked on a killing spree that would claim the lives of ten people. His victims were primarily homeless, marginalized individuals, whom he attacked from behind, executing them with ruthless efficiency. The killings, all carried out in the early morning hours, painted a grim picture of a man who targeted society's most vulnerable.
The spree started with the murder of 54-year-old Rudolfo Roque, who, unlike most of Player's victims, was not homeless. Roque had traveled from San Diego to Los Angeles to visit a friend. Despite being detained by police shortly after the murder, Player was released due to a lack of concrete evidence.
Player's next five victims were all homeless, shot while they slept. Rick Stamps, 66, fell victim a few days later. On September 13, Player killed 31-year-old Rojello Sirven and wounded 47-year-old Joseph Griffin. Griffin, despite initially surviving, succumbed to his injuries on October 5 due to complications.
The violence continued unabated. On September 20, 66-year-old Marshall Singer was shot, followed by the murder of 36-year-old David Towns three days later. Player then committed a double murder on September 30, taking the lives of 25-year-old Christopher Boyle and 56-year-old Leon Gaines.
On October 7, Player claimed his ninth victim, 23-year-old Chang Kang. Like Roque, Kang was not homeless; he had come to Los Angeles from Texas to visit relatives. The following day, Player murdered 44-year-old Wayne Ellis as he slept in Athens Park. Player's final known attack occurred on October 9 when he attempted to kill Terrence Dunn, who survived and provided authorities with a description of his attacker. This led to the creation of a facial composite, inching investigators closer to identifying the Skid Row Slayer.
Unraveling the Mystery
Tragically, Michael Player's reign of terror ended not with an arrest, but with his own death. On October 10, 1986, in a Los Angeles hotel room, Player ended his life with a firearm. The subsequent investigation into his death uncovered damning evidence. In his apartment, police discovered bloodstained shoes and two pistols—a .38 caliber and a .22 caliber. Ballistics tests confirmed that these weapons were used in all the murders.
Terrence Dunn, the survivor of Player's last attack, identified Player from a photograph, solidifying the case against him. Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates announced to the media in February 1987 that Player was responsible for the ten murders. Despite this resolution, the motive behind Player's heinous acts and his decision to commit suicide remain elusive.
The Aftermath
Michael Player's gruesome legacy as the Skid Row Slayer remains a haunting chapter in Los Angeles' history. His case serves as a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk within the human soul and the vulnerabilities of those who live on society's fringes. The mystery of his motivations continues to baffle authorities and true crime aficionados alike.
Sources
- Kathy E. (April 28, 1998). "L&I COTD: Player, Michael" . The Mail Archive.
- "CALIFORNIA KILLER ATTACKS HOMELESS" . The New York Times . November 3, 1986.
- George Ramos and Boris Yano (February 6, 1987). "Dead Man Is Identified as Serial Killer of 10" . Los Angeles Times.
- "Slaying of Man May Be Tied to 7 Other Killings" . Los Angeles Times. October 11, 1986.
- George Ramos (October 17, 1986). "Police Link 10th Victim to Serial Killer" . Los Angeles Times.
- David Freed and George Ramos (October 8, 1986). "3 More Slayings May Be Tied to 4 Transient Deaths" . Los Angeles Times.
- "Death may be a work of serial killer" . The San Bernardino Sun . October 11, 1986.
For further reading, visit the original Wikipedia article.
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First Murder Committed
Michael Player shoots 54-year-old Rudolfo Roque in Skid Row.
Third Murder
Player kills 31-year-old Rojello Sirven and wounds Joseph Griffin.
Fourth Murder
66-year-old Marshall Singer is shot in the back of the head.
Double Murder
Player kills Christopher Boyle and Leon Gaines in separate attacks.
Last Victim Killed
Player murders 23-year-old Chang Kang in Skid Row.
Surviving Victim Identified
Terrence Dunn survives an attack and provides a description of Player.
Player Commits Suicide
Michael Player shoots himself in a hotel room in Los Angeles.
Case Closure
Police confirm Player as the Skid Row Slayer after identifying him posthumously.
Michael Player, infamously known as "The Skid Row Slayer," embarked on a brutal killing spree in Los Angeles' Skid Row during the fall of 1986, resulting in the murders of ten individuals, primarily targeting the homeless community. His criminal history, which began in the late 1970s under the alias Marcus Nisby, included multiple arrests for robbery and weapon possession, leading to several prison sentences. The violence commenced on September 4, 1986, with the murder of Rudolfo Roque, followed by a series of attacks on vulnerable individuals, often executed in the early morning hours. Despite being briefly detained after the first murder, Player evaded capture for weeks, continuing his rampage until his eventual arrest. The case highlights the urgent need for law enforcement to address the safety of marginalized populations and the complexities of tracking serial offenders.
Michael Player is believed to have targeted homeless individuals due to their vulnerability, committing his murders execution-style in the early hours of the day. Some speculate that his criminal history and experiences with the justice system may have contributed to his violent behavior. There is also a theory that the murders were a means for Player to exert power and control over his victims, reflecting deeper psychological issues.
The Skid Row Slayer: The Chilling Tale of Michael Player
In the dark alleys and forgotten corners of Los Angeles' Skid Row, a chilling series of murders unfolded in the fall of 1986. At the center of this grim narrative was Michael Player, a man whose life and crimes would earn him the notorious moniker, "The Skid Row Slayer." Born on September 6, 1960, in Los Angeles, California, Player's life was marked by a criminal trajectory that culminated in the cold-blooded murder of ten individuals over a brief yet terrifying span.
Early Life and Criminal Beginnings
Michael Player's early years remain shrouded in mystery, but what is known paints a portrait of a man drawn to a life of crime. By the late 1970s, under the alias Marcus Nisby, Player had already found himself on the wrong side of the law. The Californian authorities prosecuted him numerous times during this period. As the 1980s dawned, Player's criminal activities escalated. In October 1983, he was convicted of robbery, and while attempting another theft, he was arrested and sentenced to six months in prison.
The legal troubles continued to mount for Player. In the summer of 1984, he faced charges for illegal possession of weapons, resulting in a two-year prison sentence. Despite receiving parole in 1985, Player couldn't stay out of trouble. His repeated offenses led to another arrest for violating parole conditions, landing him a 60-day prison sentence by July 1985.
The Murders Begin
The horror commenced on September 4, 1986, when Michael Player embarked on a killing spree that would claim the lives of ten people. His victims were primarily homeless, marginalized individuals, whom he attacked from behind, executing them with ruthless efficiency. The killings, all carried out in the early morning hours, painted a grim picture of a man who targeted society's most vulnerable.
The spree started with the murder of 54-year-old Rudolfo Roque, who, unlike most of Player's victims, was not homeless. Roque had traveled from San Diego to Los Angeles to visit a friend. Despite being detained by police shortly after the murder, Player was released due to a lack of concrete evidence.
Player's next five victims were all homeless, shot while they slept. Rick Stamps, 66, fell victim a few days later. On September 13, Player killed 31-year-old Rojello Sirven and wounded 47-year-old Joseph Griffin. Griffin, despite initially surviving, succumbed to his injuries on October 5 due to complications.
The violence continued unabated. On September 20, 66-year-old Marshall Singer was shot, followed by the murder of 36-year-old David Towns three days later. Player then committed a double murder on September 30, taking the lives of 25-year-old Christopher Boyle and 56-year-old Leon Gaines.
On October 7, Player claimed his ninth victim, 23-year-old Chang Kang. Like Roque, Kang was not homeless; he had come to Los Angeles from Texas to visit relatives. The following day, Player murdered 44-year-old Wayne Ellis as he slept in Athens Park. Player's final known attack occurred on October 9 when he attempted to kill Terrence Dunn, who survived and provided authorities with a description of his attacker. This led to the creation of a facial composite, inching investigators closer to identifying the Skid Row Slayer.
Unraveling the Mystery
Tragically, Michael Player's reign of terror ended not with an arrest, but with his own death. On October 10, 1986, in a Los Angeles hotel room, Player ended his life with a firearm. The subsequent investigation into his death uncovered damning evidence. In his apartment, police discovered bloodstained shoes and two pistols—a .38 caliber and a .22 caliber. Ballistics tests confirmed that these weapons were used in all the murders.
Terrence Dunn, the survivor of Player's last attack, identified Player from a photograph, solidifying the case against him. Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates announced to the media in February 1987 that Player was responsible for the ten murders. Despite this resolution, the motive behind Player's heinous acts and his decision to commit suicide remain elusive.
The Aftermath
Michael Player's gruesome legacy as the Skid Row Slayer remains a haunting chapter in Los Angeles' history. His case serves as a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk within the human soul and the vulnerabilities of those who live on society's fringes. The mystery of his motivations continues to baffle authorities and true crime aficionados alike.
Sources
- Kathy E. (April 28, 1998). "L&I COTD: Player, Michael" . The Mail Archive.
- "CALIFORNIA KILLER ATTACKS HOMELESS" . The New York Times . November 3, 1986.
- George Ramos and Boris Yano (February 6, 1987). "Dead Man Is Identified as Serial Killer of 10" . Los Angeles Times.
- "Slaying of Man May Be Tied to 7 Other Killings" . Los Angeles Times. October 11, 1986.
- George Ramos (October 17, 1986). "Police Link 10th Victim to Serial Killer" . Los Angeles Times.
- David Freed and George Ramos (October 8, 1986). "3 More Slayings May Be Tied to 4 Transient Deaths" . Los Angeles Times.
- "Death may be a work of serial killer" . The San Bernardino Sun . October 11, 1986.
For further reading, visit the original Wikipedia article.
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 Committed
Michael Player shoots 54-year-old Rudolfo Roque in Skid Row.
Third Murder
Player kills 31-year-old Rojello Sirven and wounds Joseph Griffin.
Fourth Murder
66-year-old Marshall Singer is shot in the back of the head.
Double Murder
Player kills Christopher Boyle and Leon Gaines in separate attacks.
Last Victim Killed
Player murders 23-year-old Chang Kang in Skid Row.
Surviving Victim Identified
Terrence Dunn survives an attack and provides a description of Player.
Player Commits Suicide
Michael Player shoots himself in a hotel room in Los Angeles.
Case Closure
Police confirm Player as the Skid Row Slayer after identifying him posthumously.