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Biography[]
Robert Joseph Long, born on October 14, 1953, in Kenova, West Virginia, had a troubled childhood marked by an abusive and alcoholic mother. He experienced a head injury at the age of five, which some later speculated might have played a role in his violent tendencies. Long's criminal record began early, with arrests for burglary and sexual offenses.
Early life[]
Criminal Activities[]
Long's most notorious crime spree occurred in the 1980s, primarily in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. He earned the moniker "The Classified Ad Rapist" for his initial modus operandi, responding to classified ads and attacking women who were selling items. His crimes escalated to sexual assault and, eventually, murder.
Between March 1984 and November 1984, Long committed a series of heinous crimes, assaulting and murdering at least ten women. His victims included Lisa McVey, who miraculously survived and later played a crucial role in his capture.
Capture and Trial[]
Lisa McVey's detailed description of Long and his residence led to his identification and subsequent arrest on November 16, 1984. Long's trial commenced in 1985, where he pleaded guilty to eight counts of first-degree murder, receiving multiple life sentences. His plea spared him from the death penalty.
Execution[]
Bobby Joe Long spent over three decades on death row. On May 23, 2019, he was executed by lethal injection at Florida State Prison.
Victims[]
Confirmed victims[]
| Name | Age | Date of Death | Cause of Death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artiss Ann Wick | 20 | March 27, 1984 | |
| Ngeun Thi Long | 19 | May 13, 1984 | |
| Michelle Denise Simms | 22 | May 27, 1984 | |
| Elizabeth Loudenback | 22 | June 8, 1984 | |
| Vicky Marie Elliott | 21 | September 7, 1984 | |
| Chanel Devoun Williams | 18 | October 7, 1984 | |
| Karen Beth Dinsfriend[1] | 28 | October 14, 1984 | |
| Kimberly Kyle Hopps | 22 | October 31, 1984 | |
| Virginia Lee Johnson | 18 | November 6, 1984 | |
| Kim Marie Swann | 21 | November 11, 1984 |
Survivors[]
| Name | Age | Date of Attack |
|---|---|---|
| Linda Nuttall | May 1984 | |
| Lisa McVey | 17 | November 3, 1984 |
Timeline[]
Bibliography[]
Literature[]
Articles[]
- "Bobby Joe Long". Biography (April 27, 2017).
Documentaries[]
Television[]
- Born to Kill? S6E12: Bobby Joe Long (2014) on IMDb
- Monster in My Family S1E5: Classified Ad Rapist: Bobby Joe Long (July 2015) on IMDb
- Evil Lives Here S3E2: The Monster I Married (January 2018) on IMDb
- World's Most Evil Killers S3E3: Bobby Joe Long (January 2020) on IMDb
- The Mark of a Killer S2E7: Collar and Leash Killer (May 23, 2020) on IMDb
YouTube Documentaries[]
- Killing Spree in South Florida, Real Crime - The FBI Files S1 EP8 on YouTube
- The Serial Killer That Was Caught By Letting A Victim Go (World's Most Evil Killers), Real Crime on YouTube
- Bobby Joe Long: The Classified Ad Rapist (Born To Kill), Our Life on YouTube
- Bobby Joe Long's Story, A Serial Rapist And Killer, Our Life on YouTube
Podcasts[]
- Bobby Joe Long - Part 1. Serial Killers with Greg Polcyn & Vanessa Richardson.
- Bobby Joe Long - Part 2. Serial Killers with Greg Polcyn & Vanessa Richardson.
In popular culture[]
Film adaptation[]
Related Articles[]
See also[]
Links[]
- Bobby Joe Long at Wikipedia
- Bobby Joe Long on IMDb
Notes[]
References[]
- ↑ Karen Beth Dinsfriend at Find a Grave