Benjamin Atkins

Benjamin Atkins
Mug shot
Born (1968-08-26)August 26, 1968[1]
Detroit, Michigan
Died September 17, 1997(1997-09-17) (aged 29)
Michigan
Cause of death HIV
Other names Woodward Corridor Killer
Criminal penalty 11 terms of life imprisonment
Conviction(s)

11 counts of first degree murder

1 count of first degree criminal sexual conduct
Details
Victims 11
Span of crimes
 December 14, 1991–August 21, 1992
Country United States
State(s) Michigan

Benjamin "Tony" Atkins (August 26, 1968 – September 17, 1997), also known as the Woodward Corridor Killer, was an American serial killer and rapist who murdered, tortured, and raped 11 women in Highland Park and Detroit, Michigan, during a period of nine months between December 1991 and August 1992.[2]

All the victims were found in vacant buildings, all had been raped and strangled.[3] Most of them had been murdered in the suburb of Highland Park. Many of the victims were working as prostitutes, and Atkins said he was motivated by a hatred of prostitution.[4]

During his trial, it was revealed that Atkins himself was raped at age 10 and had witnessed his mother engage in prostitution.[5][6]

He was convicted of eleven counts of first degree murder and one count of first degree sexual conduct and sentenced to eleven life sentences.[7] On September 17, 1997, he died of an infection caused by HIV at Duane Waters Hospital, which is connected with the Egeler Correctional Facility in Jackson.[8]

Victims

  • Darlene Saunders, 34, attacked, raped, and sodomized in October 1991 in Highland Park.
  • Debbie Ann Friday, 30, found raped, strangled, and sodomized on December 14, 1991 in Highland Park.
  • Bertha Jean Mason, 26, found strangled, raped, and sodomized on December 30, 1991 in Detroit.
  • Patricia Cannon George, 36, found strangled, raped, and sodomized on January 3, 1992 in Detroit.
  • Vickie Truelove, 39, found sodomized, strangled, and raped, on January 25, 1992 in Detroit.
  • Valerie Chalk, 34, found repeatedly sodomized, raped, and strangled, on February 17, 1992 at Monterey Motel, Room 68, Highland Park.
  • Juanita Hardy, 23, found raped and strangled at Monterey Motel, Room 35, February 17, 1992.
  • Unknown female's body found raped and strangled at Monterey Motel, Room 18, February 17, 1992.
  • Brenda Mitchell, 28, found raped and strangled on April 9, 1992 in Highland Park.
  • Vicki Beasley-Brown, 27, found raped and strangled on April 15, 1992 in Highland Park.
  • Joanne O'Rourke, 45, found repeatedly raped, strangled on June 15, 1992 in Highland Park.
  • Ocinena Waymer, 21, found beaten, raped, sodomized, and strangled on August 21, 1992 in Highland Park.
  • LaTanya Showanda Smith, 29, found beaten on August 21, 1992 in Highland Park.

References

  1. ↑ "Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) - Offender Profile". The State of Michigan. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  2. ↑ "Crack addict confesses he killed women". Kingman Daily Miner / AP. 1992-08-30. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
  3. ↑ SWICKARD, JOE (27 August 1992). "POLICE MAP OUT PATTERN IN SLAYINGS SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY REFINED TECHNIQUES" (PDF). Detroit Free Press. Detroit, MI. p. 1B, Section NWS. Archived from the original (.pdf) on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  4. ↑ "More murder charges expected against confessed serial killer". UPI. DETROIT, MI: United Press International. 23 August 1992. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  5. ↑ "STRANGLER FACES LIFE IN PRISON". DeseretNews.com. Deseret News Publishing Company. 22 April 1994. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  6. ↑ Burnstein, Scott (6 October 2018). "West Bloomfield author's e-book explores Woodward Corridor Killer". The Oakland Press. Pontiac, MI: Digital First Media. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  7. ↑ "COA 176793 PEOPLE OF MI V BENJAMIN ATKINS Opinion - Memorandum 07/29/1997" (.pdf). publicdocs.courts.mi.gov. STATE OF MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  8. ↑ SWICKARD, JOE (11 October 1997). "SERIAL KILLER DIES 4 YEARS INTO 11 LIFE SENTENCES" (PDF). Detroit Free Press. crimeindetroit.com. p. 1A, Section: NWS. Archived from the original (.pdf) on 13 October 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2018.


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