The Bigfoot Killer is the name given to an unidentified American serial killer who raped and murdered seven girls and women in Detroit between February and October 1975. All of the victims were engaged in prostitution and impoverished, with their killings taking place in the Cass Corridor neighborhood.[1][2]
Bigfoot Killer | |
|---|---|
| Other names | "The Cass Ripper" |
| Details | |
| Victims | 7 |
Span of crimes | February – October 1975 |
| Country | United States |
| State(s) | Michigan |
Date apprehended | Never apprehended |
Murders
editThe perpetrator chose young girls aged 16 to 22 who prostituted themselves on the streets as victims. In early 1975, he committed at least four rapes, with his victims going to the police and describing his appearance, from which a facial composite was created. Between February 16 and October 20, the offender killed a total of seven women, five black and two white. During the investigation, witnesses reported that the killer had driven a beige Oldsmobile, and after offering $15 in exchange for sexual services, he lured the victims to his car, after which he threatened them with a knife, beat, raped, sodomized and finally strangled them. He was described as a muscular, tall African-American with facial hair and an afro, likely between the ages of 30 and 35. According to police, he may have suffered from acromegaly, since, according to testimonies and other evidence, he had large hands and feet. As a result of this, he was nicknamed "Bigfoot".[3]
After this information was revealed to the public, at the end of 1975, a number of NGO activists and several hundred residents of the Cass Corridor organized a rally in front of the police station, accusing the authorities of negligence due to the victims' social status. They appealed to the city's administrative bodies demanding an investigation and subsequent punishment of officials, because they refused to disclose information about the ongoing killings and were unable to take proper precautions. To back up their claims, the protesters showed a police leaflet describing the killer's appearance, which included a telephone number for communication, but it was unavailable at night. Representatives of law enforcement denied these allegations, claiming that enough was being done.[4]
Suspect
editDuring the investigation, a black Detroit native, 29-year-old Carl Mayweather Jr., was arrested on January 27, 1976, during an attempted rape of a woman in River Rouge and subsequently considered a prime suspect. Mayweather came from a rich family and held a leadership position in a small company owned by his father, but it was revealed that he had previously been prosecuted on charges of assaulting a woman, for which he was given a suspended sentence. Since he was tall, athletic, wore size 12.5 shoes and physically matched the killer's description, after he was charged with rape and robbery in February 1976, authorities looked into the possibility that he was the Bigfoot Killer.[5][6]
However, over the following months, it was established that Mayweather had a solid alibi for at least four of the murders, and thus, no further charges were brought against him, eliminating him as a suspect.[7][8]
The Bigfoot Killer was never captured, and remains unidentified to this day.[9]
Victims
edit- Valinda Brown (February 16)[10]
- Julie Brown, 16 (April 24)
- Regina Foshee, 19 (May 1)
- Naomi Hall, 22 (May 3)
- Eoria Dick, 22 (June 13)
- Andrea Coxton, 22 (July 13)
- Dorothy Holmes, 43 (October 19)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Hunter, George (June 5, 2019). "Detroit police expand hunt for serial killer targeting sex workers". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on 2019-06-05.
- ^ "Police Begin Hunt For Cass 'Ripper'". Detroit Free Press. June 20, 1975. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26.
- ^ "Detroit Police Hunt For 'Big Foot,' Accused Of Killing 5 Streetwalkers". Argus Leader. July 24, 1975. Archived from the original on 2021-08-22.
- ^ "Women seek actions on Cass Rape-Murder Cases". Detroit Free Press. July 25, 1975. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26.
- ^ "Suspect Assigned To Court". The Daily Telegram. February 7, 1076. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26.
- ^ "Cass 'Bigfoot' Rape-Slaying Suspect Held Continued". Detroit Free Press. January 30, 1976. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26.
- ^ "Galoshes Didn't Help Suspect in 'Bigfoot' Case". Detroit Free Press. February 1, 1976. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26.
- ^ "Bigfoot Suspect Is Cleared: Mayweather still held in 3 rapes". Detroit Free Press. March 3, 1976. Archived from the original on 2021-02-25.
- ^ "Experts define psyches of men who become prostitute killers". Detroit Free Press. November 17, 1980. Archived from the original on 2021-12-26.
- ^ "Detroit Bigfoot". Detroit Free Press. 3 March 1976. p. 3.