Los Angeles Times Exclusive. Allegedly the day after this aired on B97 during the station's brief stint as a "Hot Talk" radio format, the FBIshowed up at Stern's studios and collected the audio as evidence. 1. The untold story of how the Golden State Killer was found: A covert Judging by what I can find, Victor Gant was never charged with any of the murders and not much is known about him today. The Serial Killers Who Invented America. To me, that's definitely a red flag as to what kind of guy we're talking about here. Eventually, Ellwood was released again, and in January 1998, he returned to New Orleans. Louisiana Serial Killer Confesses Live on The Howard Stern Show - 97.3 Ellwood remains a suspect in several of the killings, but no charges have been filed against him. Dead End Baton Rouge Serial Killer | True Crime - Medium She said that she did not report the incident, due to being a prostitute with a criminal record. On October 21, 1992, Unsolved Mysteries aired a profile of the unidentified New Orleans serial murders while the killeror killerswere still active. Clay King Smith - Wikipedia At this point, nothing has been disclosed of Gant's fate afterward; whether or not there was a DNA match to the two aforementioned murders and/or the other 22 victims of the serial killer is unknown. Could Baton Rouge be the Jimmy Swaggart Town mentioned by Clay? [8] The investigators became increasingly suspicious when Ellwood started speaking about having a dream in which he was being questioned about a series of murders and later admitting to frequenting the locations where the bodies were found, but continued to reaffirm his innocence.[8]. He then decided to become a cab driver because he couldn't afford a house and was living in his car. The similarities between Clays phone call and the New Orleans murders of the early 1990s were listed as follows . He said that he was 27 and the girl was 32. An autopsy deduced that she had been strangled, and prior to her death, had taken a large dose of cocaine, which could have caused an overdose. In 1997, a man who called himself Clay called into the Howard Stern show. According tocriminalminds.fandom.com Ellwood would live in his car from time to time when he couldn't afford to live anywhere else. This policy was apparently the work of Carver College PD's first chief, Joseph L. Woods, who had been fired from five different police departments before finding work at the school in 2006. The link to a police officer was made last April when Sharon Robinson, a casino coin-changer, and her friend, Karen Iverster, were murdered. [8] This request was denied, whereupon Ellwood confessed to killing Lewis and Mack, but refused to be audiotaped and soon after began denying that he had confessed. V C. Facebook 0 Twitter Pinterest 0 0 Likes. When it was discovered that Ellwood was in Ohio when Dolores Mack was killed, one of the two murder counts against him was dismissed on February 24, 1999. According to the investigators, Gant had killed both her and her friend, Karen Ivester, in order to get rid of them. This, along with his mention of wanting to leave clues in the wake of his crimes seems to definitely hint at some obsessive inspiration taken from Zodiac, or a similar killer like BTK or Jack the Ripper. For now, the answer to this question remains unresolved. [2] Her estimated age was between 25 and 35. The entire call is unnerving, but there are parts of the call that are absolutely terrifyingand this guy was stalking and killing people right down I-10 only a couple of hours away. During "Clay's" call, he joked about how the only suspect the Nola police had was a black people officer. The guy identified himself as Clay, mentioned if he killed himself he would miss the Batman movie, says he kills with a hammer, talks about comic books. Camden later testified that Ellwood also confessed to him that he had killed a black girl, whose corpse he had dumped in the canal. I'll kill you too." [8] A number of other inmates witnessed a fight between Ellwood and another inmate, during which he allegedly said "Yeah, I killed that nigger bitch. Redhead Murderer, or the Bible Belt Strangler Where: Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Tennessee This sort of bizarre call was not out of the ordinary for the show, where Stern often hoax calls from people with crazy stories. 'Clay' said calmly. Price was a drug addict, but had no history of prostitution. It should be noted that a sketch of the killer was drawn in 1992 after the first six murders; the sketch depicted a large, muscular African-American man in his 30's, which matched Gant's physical description. [2] Like Williams, Filson was transsexual and worked at a nightclub under the name 'Brenda Bewitch'. Powered by RedCircle. How A Serial Killer Was Caught By A Plumber's Gruesome - YouTube He said that he was trying to change the oil in his cab in a covert manner, depositing the used oil outside where no one could see it. I think I just do it for the sense of power." Due to extreme decompisition, she too remains unidentified, and is named "Jane Doe No. "Clay the Serial Killer" Unresolved Russell Ellwoods preferred MO was drugging his victims to the point of overdose and then dumping them in shallow bodies of water to drown. Do you think "Clay the Serial Killer" is Russell Ellwood? The bodies of Lewis and Mack were discovered on February 21 and 22, 1993 respectively. Just shoot out the front tire & then pick off the kiddies as they come bouncing out, However, two months later, police officials traced a series of phone calls made to Melvin Bellis home by the supposed Zodiac. But what if that wasnt the case? On April 30, 1995, the body of 28-year-old Sharon Robinson was found face-down in a shallow body of water next to an I-55 off ramp in LaPlace, Louisiana, 25 miles west of New Orleans. The Storyville Slayer is the nickname given to an American serial killer who murdered at least 24 prostitutes and drug addicts, most of whom were women, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jaya's clients often characterize her as meticulous, proactive, and enjoyable to be around. I'm willing to confess to two cases and give you all the details when I return to Louisiana. He began killing for unclear motives, taking the life of Cheryl Lewis, his first known victim, by drugging her and drowning her in a canal on February 1-3, 1993. Many people believe that Russell Ellwood is "Clay the Serial Killer," the man who contacted The Howard Stern Show in 1997 and confessed to killing women in a call that was broadcast on the show. [8] For the next 30 years, Ellwood lived in squalor because of his drug addiction, had no permanent residence, never married and changed professions often, mostly sticking to photography and cab driving. Was it real, or was this just another one of Stern'slowbrow stunts that he's famous for? Of course, Clay never explicitly mentions Baton Rouge as being Jimmy Swaggart town, but this is an issue worth questioning. Clay told Stern he took a break for a year. Russell Ellwood - A Serial Killer Who Killed Prostitute Women Collins himself had been previously fired by two separate police departments before working at Carver, and had once been put on probation for an entire year by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. [2], In May 1995, a task force was established by the New Orleans Police Department, in conjunction with surrounding parishes and the FBI, in order to solve the killings. Ultimately found guiltyof the murder of Cheryl Lewis, Ellwood was thought to be responsible for as many as 15 murders in the New Orleans area, and many believe responsible for many more. By Michael Dot Scott. According to her testimony, she had boarded the car of an unknown man in Algiers sometime in July, and after having a conversation with him, the man strangled her into unconsciousness and dropped her off on the streets. On August 13, 1997, The Howard Stern Show received a call from a man who identified himself as "Clay". Russel Ellwood was a suspected serial killer who killed prostitutes (women) by drugging them and strangling them to death. they rattled off to him. He was exonerated of all charges, nevertheless. Is Russel Ellwood Clay The Serial Killer? A lot happens right here. Cookie Notice Where Did All The Serial Killers Go? - YouTube The interview's tone slowly took a turn after Clay's response. New Orleans Serial Killer | Unsolved Mysteries Wiki | Fandom He boasted to other prisoners about his murders in Louisiana during this period. serial murder, also called serial killing, the unlawful homicide of at least two people carried out by the same person (or persons) in separate events occurring at different times. Replies analysing and speculating over the mystery and possible explanations are encouraged. V C March 04, 2020. When confronted by reporters from Huffington Post in 2016 regarding their hiring of a suspect in a series of serial killings as an officer assigned to protect college students, Carver College Police Chief R.J. Collins tried denying Gant had ever worked theredespite Gant appearing in full uniform on the Police Departments website and in photos shared on Facebook. Most were forcibly drowned or strangled. 'Serial Killer' Once Told Howard Stern Show He Murdered 12 - LADbible There were a few things Clay said, or the way he said them, that made me think he was making stuff up on the fly. He was a cab driver in Nola that raped & killed prostitutes. [2] Eighteen days later, the body of 28-year-old Charlene Price was found in a New Orleans park, just one mile from where Britton was found. She testified that in 1992, during a date, Ellwood, while under the influence of drugs, assaulted, beat and strangled her into unconsciousness. The next day, Stern said on the show that the FBI came to the studio asking for a tape of the call. Suspected Stockton serial killer caught while on 'mission to kill': What we know . Users on the Websleuths message board began compiling data on these killings in November 2016, which Stern fans took notice of three years later. Privacy Policy. [12] A deputy who worked in the department later attempted to sue them for allegedly firing him for revealing that Rushing had destroyed crucial evidence, but his appeal was rejected due to lack of evidence. 10 Serial Killers Caught Because Of The Smallest Errors A subreddit dedicated to the unresolved mysteries of the world. When he appeared in court, other prisoners who knew Ellwood gave witness accounts against him. According to reports, after that, the status of Ellwood's conviction on the remaining murder charge is unknown. The single biggest issue, however, is thisClays self-professed favorite mode of murder was bludgeoning his victims to death with a hammer. He was a cab driver in Nola that raped & killed prostitutes. After his release, Ellwood returned to Canton to live with his brother, who offered him a high-paying job. It doesnt mean they are bad officer.. *alleged killer calls himself clay *claims to have killed 12 women, first when he was 16 *used hammer or strangulation *killed in New Orleans and Mississippi area *says he's white, has kids never been married *seems to say most victims or at least half were black and they always approached him The victim is referred to as "Jane Doe No. Serial Killer Calls in to Howard Stern Show, Gives Disturbing On September 22, 1991, the killer claimed his third victim, twenty-eight-year-old Charlene Price. Unsolved - Serial Killer Who Called Howard Stern Show After doing drugs together, Ellwood beat her, but she managed to flee. Three months later, in November 1996, Gant was arrested for battery after choking and threatening his new girlfriend, Karen Thibodeaux, inside her home. When not imprisoned, he spent most of his time among fellow vagrants, with acquaintances describing him as an outsider who constantly sought to make get-rich-quick schemes, but consistently failed in his endeavors. But instead, he hesitated possibly debating in his own mind whether he should divulge more details before finally admitting he used a hammer. Clayface in Batman turns his fist into a hammer. [2], On July 25, the body of 33-year-old Noah Filson was found in the waters of a canal near I-55. She was later identified as 39-year-old Lola Porter, who had gone missing from New Orleans in 1992. Due to extreme decomposition, neither could be identified, and are referred to as "Jane Doe No. In 1991, a serial killer began claiming numerous victims in the Algiers and Treme neighborhoods of New Orleans, eventually credited with 24 murders throughout the 1990s. Despite raising a lot of suspicions early on, this call quickly faded into relative obscurity after it happened, before being brought back to the attention of internet sleuths in 2019. Once the call ended, the saga of Clay the Serial Killer faded into relative obscurity. The key witness was supposed to be Robinson, but she was found dead on May 1, 1995. As a result, he was convicted and sentenced to spend 85 days in the county jail. Weill had also photographed The Beatles final live performance before a paying audiencetheir famous August 1966 Candlestick Park concertand was now apparently obsessed with the Zodiac Killer, along with lawyer to the stars, attorney Melvin Belli, who was working with the Rolling Stones at the time. Or was something even stranger going on? "Clay The Serial Killer"? Howard Stern Show Serial Killer [2], The perpetrator(s) mainly targeted girls and women of African-American descent, aged between 17 and 42, as victims. - One victim, Delores Mack, was transgender and another, George Williams, was a transvestite. Luckily, neither Eric Weill nor the Zodiac ever made good on their shared threat to murder school children. Except this time, no police trace reveals the caller to be a hoaxer in a mental institution. Carver College has a long, troubled history of hiring disgraced police officers to patrol the Christian School. Another complication is thisBaton Rouge, the possible Jimmy Swaggart town referenced by Clay, is over 80 miles away from New Orleans, where nearly all the bodies were found. There was one that rang in to radio a while back, I think it was the 'Weepy Voiced Killer' and he confessed. Busted: How 5 Infamous Serial Killers Were Finally Caught He was one of the two main suspects in a series of murders of women in New Orleans, Louisiana. During the test, Rushing was unable to answer a series of questions regarding the missing receipts, but the result was inconclusive, casting doubt on Ellwood's guilt. A native of New Orleans, Gant spent his childhood and youth in Algiers, where a number of the victims lived and were abducted from. He was also ordered to perform forced labor. In addition to Gant, another resident of New Orleans, Russell Ellwood, soon came under police suspicion. As we heard, Clay made reference to killing a black transvestite during his call. [2] Her name has never been disclosed, and she is referred to as "Brenda" in case files. Ellwood later claimed that a mental illness had caused him to boast, demanding that the interrogations cease and he be allowed to return to New Orleans to see his attorney and be provided with treatment. Serial Killer Howard Stern serial killer interview??? - Lipstick Alley Five days later, more skeletal remains were found, this time to a girl whose age is estimated to be around 15 to 17. How A Serial Killer Was Caught By A Plumber's Gruesome Discovery | Memories of a Murderer 26,602 views Aug 18, 2021 Dennis Nilsen's crimes were first exposed by a clogged drain. He took the lives of ten people in Sedgwick County, Kansas. After his disciplinary hearing, Gant complained to the press, saying, A lot of other people who have been charged worse than that are still on the job. When Sharons sister, Teri, and a group of supporters arrived at the scene to confront Gant, he spit tobacco juice at them before walking off. Louisiana Serial Killer Confesses Live on The Howard Stern Show. Cheryl Lewis' mother, in turn, admitted that her daughter was a drug addict and a prostitute, but said that she had never seen Ellwood with her daughter before. 5 Disturbing Serial Killers Caught on Camera - YouTube Join the news democracyWhere your votes decide the Top 100. Between 1991 and 1995, a suspected serial killer claimed the lives of multiple people in the New Orleans area. This was refuted by Ellwood's receipts, which show a puzzling two-week break in February. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. No further information about him is available. Self-Professed New Orleans Serial Killer Once Confessed 12 Murders to Howard Stern. Discretion is advised. He also brings with him many years of law enforcement experience, training and talent that would be invaluable to Carver College Police Department. In response, the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council reinstated Nemards police certification so that Collins could hire him. Again, the Macdonald triad rears its head. Copyright 2023 washingtonindependent.com. During interrogation, Ellwood initially denied making any such statements to the inmates, but after an audio tape of Hill's testimony was played, he admitted that he had indeed boasted to Hill. Next to the print matching Sharons shoe was a spit out wad of chewing tobacco. This further shows a pattern of narcissism inherent in many serial killers like the Zodiac obsessively following your own press. [7] In the following years, the credibility of this incident was questioned, as the program regularly received numerous call from people who claimed to have done terrible things, with some alleging that Stern himself faked the call to boost his ratings. Janie Stokes, a former prostitute, told the court that she first met him in either 1992 or 1993 at Snell's gas station in Marrero, when he was working as a cab driver. Each time 'Clay' answered a question he responded in a calm, matter-of-fact manner. While reviewing Nemards record as an officerincluding his arrest recordCollins wrote to officials at the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, stating, It is my belief that Mr. Nemard is a man of strong moral character and has a deep faith in God. - The known victims were killed between 1991-1995, with a gap lasting almost exactly one year in between February 1993 and February 1994. It is currently unknown whether Gant is still employed by any law enforcement agency, but investigators within the New Orleans Police Department are hopeful that future advancements in DNA technology will bring conclusive answers regarding his possible involvement in the slayings of these young women. may be disturbing to some readers. Stern then launches into a flurry of questions, asking Clay why he kills women, how he kills them, if he has sex with them, and more. [4] Her body had been covered with garbage, and an autopsy determined that she had been beaten and strangled. [8] Ultimately, the murder charge for Delores Mack was dropped,[11] but on the basis of very circumstantial evidence and unreliable testimony, Ellwood was found guilty of killing Cheryl Lewis and was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole on August 17, 1999. [6] He became a police officer in February 1980, and while on patrol, Gant would spend a lot of time in red-light districts, where in later years he acquired many acquaintances among pimps, prostitutes and street informants. bd3e74148582de9cdae314245ec29b19d538b2222157b3edc9a66dbbacadd3aa2190dd08e8ee8a5b9ed29a304bc259a6ae5e858fa83dd6b5769fe10e4824007c. Her cause of death was later determined to be homicidal drowning. Ed?". While the accusations had some meritthe FBI having actually ended their involvement with the task force so that they could investigate Rushings misconductthe jury was unconvinced, and in August 1999, Ellwood was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Cheryl Lewis. "Did your mom beat you? Weinweir Henry, Lewis' cousin, stated that she last saw her at a hotel in Avondale with a man, whom she identified as Ellwood. Well, thats exactly what happened on the morning of Wednesday, August 13, 1997, during a live broadcast of WXRKs landmark radio program, The Howard Stern Show. Acting fast, the police arranged for Jim Dunbar, the host of KGO-TVs, AM San Francisco, to have Melvin Belli join him on the air that morning, as Bailey was 3,000 miles away in Boston at the time. From the infamous Zodiac Killer who taunted the media with baffling clues about his crimes to the Cleveland Torso Murderer who beheaded and dismembered his victims, take look at these chilling serial killers who were never caught. The second witness, Antoinette Holmes, who lived near Lewis, testified to seeing her at the Time Saver restaurant in Bridge City two weeks before she was reported missing, standing between two parked cars and talking to a cab driver. The rest remain unsolved. During his murdering rampage, Rader would taunt police by sending letters with details about his killings. During her testimony, "Brenda" gave a description of her attacker, from which an identikit was created. Ellwood himself denied knowing any of the victims or committing any murders, although he could not provide an alibi. [2] Most of them were strangled to death, while a number of others were beaten and drowned in canals and rivers, and then dumped in swamps, rivers or canals near highways bordering the western shores of Lake Pontchartrain. "No. [2] On the following day, the body of 39-year-old Sandra Warner was found in St. John the Baptist Parish. - During the call, Clay claimed he was white, and that the only suspect at the time was a black cop who was romantically involved with one of the victims. 'World's Youngest Serial Killer' Had Murdered Three People By Eight Years Old; Convicted serial killer on death row explains how he feels just hours before his execution; Man Who Caught Golden State Killer Says There Are 2,000 Serial Killers In The US 'America's first female serial killer' says she 'did the right thing' in killing her victims Imagine youre driving to work one morning, or youre at home making breakfast, and you turn on the radio for some background noise. was thought to be a serial killer. Stokes stated Ellwood bought her lunch and treated her nicely before driving her to his home, where he suggested that they use cocaine. 10 Dennis Rader. [8] Ellwood's attorneys then filed a motion for a polygraph test to be performed on Sue Rushing, then-head of the task force, which was granted. -The caller knew a black police officer was a suspect in the murders of two women in New Orleans (the FBI requested the recordings & got involved because of that statement due to it matching things not publicly known) & the officer remained a suspect even after Ellwood was linked to the string of murders because police believe the killings to be .zklaml-syj27z{font-family:adobe-garamond-pro,serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant-numeric:lining-nums;line-height:1.45;overflow-wrap:break-word;color:black;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:inline-block;cursor:pointer;color:white!important;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12px;}.zklaml-syj27z:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.zklaml-syj27z:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | twi.news@washingtonindependent.com | dmca@washingtonindependent.com. So, whatever became of "Clay the Serial Killer"? Sometimes, its not a good fit for a particular department. She too had been strangled, but was had no known history with either drugs or prostitution. However, it was believed that he was responsible for as many as 15-20+ homicides in the New Orleans area, and many people feel that he was responsible for even more. #crime #crimetok #true911calls #911calls #911dispatcher. A few more bodies were found, but these victims were all determined to have been killed years prior to their discovery. According to her, Lewis had told Henry that she and Ellwood were on their way to a suburb of New Orleans, where her body was later found. On May 4, 1995, less than a week after the formation of this task force, Gant was formally called in for questioning at the New Orleans Sheriffs Office. He speaks very nonchalantly, something seems genuine about him. When Clay answers in the affirmative, this now gives investigators motivation for look for biological evidence that might link a series of cold cases together, in this instance, semen or body hairs left behind by the killer. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee told the press in 1998 that the New Orleans task force never considered the serial killings to be the work of one man. Sanders also admitted to withholding this information, because she was a drug dealer. This sort of bizarre call was not out of the ordinary for the show, where Stern often hoax calls from people with crazy stories. You can read the details Ellwood's trial over at lobservateur.com. The call remained virtually absent from public discourseand even the internetuntil 2019, when fans of Stern began posting about the segment on Reddit, reigniting interest in the incident. She recounted an incident in which Ellwood forced her into his car at gunpoint, then drove her to an underpass where he beat, raped and robbed, threatening to kill her during the ordeal. [8] Owing to his addiction, Ellwood was arrested several times from 1968 to 1998. [2], According to investigators, the crimes began in the summer of 1991, after a young black woman informed police about an attempt on her life. Weill, a California photographer suffering from severe Bipolar Disorder, was known to be fixated on celebrities. Macdonald, who proposed in a 1963 American Journal of Psychiatry article that future serial violence and even murder can often be predicted in children who simultaneous engage in chronic bedwetting, compulsive arson, and cruelty toward animals. The autopsy established the remains belonged to a young black girl, who at the time was in her early twenties and approximately 1,57cm tall. Robinson was almost immediately identified due to her body being found still wearing Sharons Hurrahs Hotel & Casino uniform, complete with her identification badge. List of serial killers in the United States, "Police officer suspected in New Orleans killings", "Exclusive: Detective Tries To Solve 25-Year-Old Serial Killer Cold Case. When Colonel Walter T. Gorman and other members of the task force met Ellwood in Sebring, Florida, they said he was friendly and willing to help. In 1998, Russell Ellwood stood trial for the 1993 murders of Cheryl Lewis, 30, of Bridge City, and Deloras Mack, 40, of Metairie. His explanation for stopping was to apparently change the oil and repair the brake pads of his car, and willingly allowed his vehicle to be searched. Assuming this wasnt some radio prank, how else would Clay know that some of his victims were never found, unless he took special notice of their identities and the locations where he left their bodies so that he could scour media reports for their discovery later? The dramatic arrest in 2018 of Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. was all the more astounding because of how detectives said they caught . 13 Reasons Why: Will Clay Get Arrested For Tyler's Plan? - Screen Rant Serial murder is distinguished from mass murder, in which several victims are . His father, Norman, left the family not long after the birth of Sean. How Many Serial Killers Are Active In Us? There was no mistaking his evil as his nickname was short for 'Bind, Torture, Kill'. [6] On December 9, 1994, Robinson went to the police to report him for beating her, and according to her statement, Gant punched her in the face and broke her nose. WARNING: Disturbing Content The caller "Clay" is believed to be serial killer Russell Ellwood that was arrested in 1998 and sentenced to life in prison in 1999. An autopsy determined that she had been strangled. Delores Mack was also murdered; she was first drugged and then strangled to death. Henry testified that she had not given the police this information, as she was wanted for petty offenses at the time. One Suspect Is A Cop", "Police Officer Is Suspect In New Orleans Killing Spree", "Dial 911 and speak to the prime suspect", "Murder case moves to Lafayette for trial", "Investigator denies destroying evidence", "One charge against Ellwood will be dropped", "Investigation of 26 killings concludes with one sentencing", "Appeals court upholds deputy's dismissal", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Storyville_Slayer&oldid=1152510708, Violence against women in the United States, CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 30 April 2023, at 17:38.