South Memphis Prostitute Killings
Unsolved Serial Prostitute Murders
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Memphis, Tennessee
TIME PERIOD
January 27 – February 26, 2011
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
In early 2011, a series of shootings targeting female sex workers occurred in South Memphis, Tennessee, resulting in the deaths of three women and leaving one survivor. The victims were discovered between January 27 and February 26, with a possible additional victim linked to the case in 2015. As of now, the case remains unsolved, and the assailant has not been identified.
The South Memphis prostitute killings have led to speculation about a potential serial killer targeting vulnerable women in the area, with theories suggesting that the murders may be connected due to the similar profiles of the victims and the geographical proximity of the crime scenes. Additionally, community discussions have raised the possibility that the 2015 murder of another woman could be linked to this series, indicating a pattern of violence against sex workers in South Memphis. Despite the ongoing investigations, no arrests have been made, fueling further theories about the identity and motives of the assailant.
South Memphis Prostitute Killings
Overview
The South Memphis prostitute killings represent a haunting series of unsolved murders that unfolded in early 2011, shocking the community of South Memphis, Tennessee. Over the course of just one month, four female sex workers became victims of a mysterious and ruthless assailant. Tragically, three of these women were killed, while a fourth murder in the same vicinity in 2015 may also be connected to this dark chapter in Memphis history. Despite extensive investigations, no arrests have been made, and the case remains open, leaving a lingering sense of fear and unanswered questions.
Quick Facts
- Victims: 3 confirmed deceased, possibly 4
- Span of Crimes: January 27 – February 26, 2011 (with a possible link to September 2015)
- Country: United States
- State: Tennessee
- Location: Memphis
The Murders
The chilling saga began on January 27, 2011. Just after 2 a.m., the lifeless body of 31-year-old Tamakia McKinney was discovered near Mt. Carmel Cemetery. She had been shot to death. McKinney, a mother of two, had no known arrests for prostitution, highlighting the complexity of her life and the struggle her family faced. They were aware of her work as a sex worker, a fact that they had disclosed to her husband, underlining the difficult realities many involved in this world endure.
Fast forward to February 20, at approximately 12:05 p.m., a passerby flagged down police and led them to the body of 28-year-old Jessica Lewis, also found within the same cemetery, and like McKinney, she had been shot to death. The same grim fate befell 44-year-old Rhonda Wells, discovered by officers on February 24 at around 5:45 a.m. Wells had been living with her grandmother prior to her tragic death, a detail that adds an unsettling personal dimension to her story.
The last confirmed attack occurred on February 26, when 26-year-old Katrina Peterson was shot. In a harrowing escape, Peterson managed to flee four blocks to safety before being rushed to Regional Medical Center. Miraculously, she survived and began her long road to recovery.
Investigation
Katrina Peterson became the key to unlocking the mystery behind these brutal crimes as the only survivor. She worked closely with police to create an identikit of her attacker based on her harrowing experience. She described him as a young Black man, approximately 24 years old, with cornrows and driving a dark vehicle, possibly a Dodge Charger or Chrysler 300.
Memphis police suspected that these murders were linked to a serial killer, leading them to release Peterson's sketch to the public in hopes of finding a lead. At each crime scene, DNA evidence was recovered, suggesting a common perpetrator, but investigators faced a frustrating wall: the DNA profiles did not lead to any conclusions about the killer, partly because the victims were sex workers. This DNA was eventually submitted to the Combined DNA Index System, but no other attacks were connected to this case, leaving the investigation in a state of limbo.
2015 Killing
In a disturbing twist, the investigation was reignited on September 16, 2015, when 25-year-old Juanita Gilmore was found stabbed to death in a South Memphis cemetery. Gilmore's background as a former sex worker raised questions about a potential link to the 2011 murders. However, homicide detective Robert Wilkie expressed skepticism, noting that the nature of her murder—a stabbing rather than a shooting—suggested a different motive and possibly a more personal connection, indicating she might have been killed by someone she knew rather than a serial killer on the loose.
As of now, none of the murders have been solved, leaving families and communities grappling with the unresolved pain of loss and the fear of an unknown predator still lurking in the shadows.
Sources
- Jody Callahan (September 27, 2016). "After four victims, another serial killer remains on the loose." The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- Kevin McKenzie (March 30, 2011). "Clues sought to S. Memphis shootings." The Commercial Appeal, p. 1. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- Kevin McKenzie (March 30, 2011). "Clues sought to S. Memphis shootings." The Commercial Appeal, p. 5. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- Jason Miles (March 11, 2011). "Prostitutes found murdered in South Memphis cemetery." WMC-TV, p. 1. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- Kevin McKenzie (March 30, 2011). "Police seek help after 3 women shot to death." The Commercial Appeal, p. 6. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
- Shara Clark (September 24, 2015). "Recent South Memphis Murder Is Similar To String of Unsolved 2011 Murders." Memphis Flyer. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
For more in-depth information, check out the Wikipedia article.
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First Murder Victim Found
The body of Tamakia McKinney, a 31-year-old prostitute, is discovered shot to death.
Second Murder Victim Found
Police are led to the body of Jessica Lewis, a 28-year-old prostitute, also shot to death.
Third Murder Victim Found
Officers discover the body of Rhonda Wells, a 44-year-old prostitute, shot to death.
Surviving Victim Shot
Katrina Peterson, a 26-year-old, is shot but survives and assists police with a description of the attacker.
Police Link Murders
Memphis police suspect a serial killer is responsible for the murders of the four women.
Possible Linked Murder
Juanita Gilmore, a 25-year-old former sex worker, is found stabbed to death, possibly linked to the 2011 murders.
Investigation Continues
Detectives state that the 2011 murders remain unsolved, with no arrests made.
In early 2011, a series of shootings targeting female sex workers occurred in South Memphis, Tennessee, resulting in the deaths of three women and leaving one survivor. The victims were discovered between January 27 and February 26, with a possible additional victim linked to the case in 2015. As of now, the case remains unsolved, and the assailant has not been identified.
The South Memphis prostitute killings have led to speculation about a potential serial killer targeting vulnerable women in the area, with theories suggesting that the murders may be connected due to the similar profiles of the victims and the geographical proximity of the crime scenes. Additionally, community discussions have raised the possibility that the 2015 murder of another woman could be linked to this series, indicating a pattern of violence against sex workers in South Memphis. Despite the ongoing investigations, no arrests have been made, fueling further theories about the identity and motives of the assailant.
South Memphis Prostitute Killings
Overview
The South Memphis prostitute killings represent a haunting series of unsolved murders that unfolded in early 2011, shocking the community of South Memphis, Tennessee. Over the course of just one month, four female sex workers became victims of a mysterious and ruthless assailant. Tragically, three of these women were killed, while a fourth murder in the same vicinity in 2015 may also be connected to this dark chapter in Memphis history. Despite extensive investigations, no arrests have been made, and the case remains open, leaving a lingering sense of fear and unanswered questions.
Quick Facts
- Victims: 3 confirmed deceased, possibly 4
- Span of Crimes: January 27 – February 26, 2011 (with a possible link to September 2015)
- Country: United States
- State: Tennessee
- Location: Memphis
The Murders
The chilling saga began on January 27, 2011. Just after 2 a.m., the lifeless body of 31-year-old Tamakia McKinney was discovered near Mt. Carmel Cemetery. She had been shot to death. McKinney, a mother of two, had no known arrests for prostitution, highlighting the complexity of her life and the struggle her family faced. They were aware of her work as a sex worker, a fact that they had disclosed to her husband, underlining the difficult realities many involved in this world endure.
Fast forward to February 20, at approximately 12:05 p.m., a passerby flagged down police and led them to the body of 28-year-old Jessica Lewis, also found within the same cemetery, and like McKinney, she had been shot to death. The same grim fate befell 44-year-old Rhonda Wells, discovered by officers on February 24 at around 5:45 a.m. Wells had been living with her grandmother prior to her tragic death, a detail that adds an unsettling personal dimension to her story.
The last confirmed attack occurred on February 26, when 26-year-old Katrina Peterson was shot. In a harrowing escape, Peterson managed to flee four blocks to safety before being rushed to Regional Medical Center. Miraculously, she survived and began her long road to recovery.
Investigation
Katrina Peterson became the key to unlocking the mystery behind these brutal crimes as the only survivor. She worked closely with police to create an identikit of her attacker based on her harrowing experience. She described him as a young Black man, approximately 24 years old, with cornrows and driving a dark vehicle, possibly a Dodge Charger or Chrysler 300.
Memphis police suspected that these murders were linked to a serial killer, leading them to release Peterson's sketch to the public in hopes of finding a lead. At each crime scene, DNA evidence was recovered, suggesting a common perpetrator, but investigators faced a frustrating wall: the DNA profiles did not lead to any conclusions about the killer, partly because the victims were sex workers. This DNA was eventually submitted to the Combined DNA Index System, but no other attacks were connected to this case, leaving the investigation in a state of limbo.
2015 Killing
In a disturbing twist, the investigation was reignited on September 16, 2015, when 25-year-old Juanita Gilmore was found stabbed to death in a South Memphis cemetery. Gilmore's background as a former sex worker raised questions about a potential link to the 2011 murders. However, homicide detective Robert Wilkie expressed skepticism, noting that the nature of her murder—a stabbing rather than a shooting—suggested a different motive and possibly a more personal connection, indicating she might have been killed by someone she knew rather than a serial killer on the loose.
As of now, none of the murders have been solved, leaving families and communities grappling with the unresolved pain of loss and the fear of an unknown predator still lurking in the shadows.
Sources
- Jody Callahan (September 27, 2016). "After four victims, another serial killer remains on the loose." The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- Kevin McKenzie (March 30, 2011). "Clues sought to S. Memphis shootings." The Commercial Appeal, p. 1. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- Kevin McKenzie (March 30, 2011). "Clues sought to S. Memphis shootings." The Commercial Appeal, p. 5. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- Jason Miles (March 11, 2011). "Prostitutes found murdered in South Memphis cemetery." WMC-TV, p. 1. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- Kevin McKenzie (March 30, 2011). "Police seek help after 3 women shot to death." The Commercial Appeal, p. 6. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
- Shara Clark (September 24, 2015). "Recent South Memphis Murder Is Similar To String of Unsolved 2011 Murders." Memphis Flyer. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
For more in-depth information, check out the 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
Loading comments...
First Murder Victim Found
The body of Tamakia McKinney, a 31-year-old prostitute, is discovered shot to death.
Second Murder Victim Found
Police are led to the body of Jessica Lewis, a 28-year-old prostitute, also shot to death.
Third Murder Victim Found
Officers discover the body of Rhonda Wells, a 44-year-old prostitute, shot to death.
Surviving Victim Shot
Katrina Peterson, a 26-year-old, is shot but survives and assists police with a description of the attacker.
Police Link Murders
Memphis police suspect a serial killer is responsible for the murders of the four women.
Possible Linked Murder
Juanita Gilmore, a 25-year-old former sex worker, is found stabbed to death, possibly linked to the 2011 murders.
Investigation Continues
Detectives state that the 2011 murders remain unsolved, with no arrests made.