Benjamin Tony Atkins

Case record

Benjamin Tony Atkins, also known as the Woodward Corridor Killer, was an American serial killer who killed 11 women in Detroit, Michigan during a period of 9 months between December 1991 and August 1992. All the victims were found in vacant buildings, and all were raped and strangled. Many of the victims were working as prostitutes. Atkins said he was motivated by a hatred of prostitution.

During his trial, it was revealed that Atkins himself was raped at age 10 and witnessed his mother engage in prostitution. Atkins was sentenced to eleven life sentences. On September 17, 1997, he died of an infection caused by HIV.

Timeline

• December 1991 — Atkins began killing women in Detroit, Michigan.
• August 1992 — Atkins’s killings in Detroit, Michigan ended.
• January 3, 1992 — Patricia Cannon George’s body was found strangled in Detroit.
• May 11, 1994 — Atkins was sentenced to 11 life terms.
• September 17, 1997 — Atkins died in prison on September 17, 1997.

The offences

Atkins raped and strangled 11 women during a nine-month period in 1991 and 1992. Several of his victims were found in abandoned motels and other derelict buildings near Woodward Avenue. Many of the women had histories of prostitution and drug abuse. The majority of the women were murdered in Highland Park.

Atkins said he was driven by hatred of prostitutes.

Victims

• Darlene Saunders, 35 — attacked and raped in October 1991 in Highland Park; she survived.
• Debbie Ann Friday, 30 — found strangled on December 14, 1991 in Highland Park.
• Bertha Jean Mason, 26 — found strangled on December 30, 1991 in Detroit.
• Patricia Cannon George, 36 — found strangled on January 3, 1992 in Detroit.
• Vickie Truelove, 39 — found strangled January 25, 1992 in Detroit.
• Valerie Chalk, 34 — found strangled February 17, 1992 at Monterey Motel, Room 68, Highland Park.
• Juanita Hardy, 23 — found strangled at Monterey Motel, Room 35, February 17, 1992.
• Unknown female — body found strangled at Monterey Motel, Room 18, February 17, 1992.
• Brenda Mitchell, 38 — found strangled April 9, 1992 in Highland Park.
• Vicki Beasley-Brown, 43 — found strangled April 15, 1992 in Highland Park.
• Joanne O'Rourke, 40 — found strangled June 15, 1992 in Highland Park.
• Ocinena Waymer, 22 — found strangled August 21, 1992 in Highland Park.

Investigation

A task force of investigators from Highland Park, Detroit, the Michigan State Police and the FBI was assembled before Atkins was arrested. The coalition underscored the urgency of the manhunt, given the frequently bitter relations between the Detroit city administration and the FBI.

With the help of the surviving victim, Atkins was arrested along Woodward.

Task force member Paul Lindsay said: "Any serial killer, especially a prolific one like Atkins , requires a good team effort"

Lindsay also said: "It doesn't matter who the victims are, you just want it stopped"

Arrest and confession

Before his arrest, Atkins was a homeless crack addict. Police said he spent 12 hours telling police how he raped and strangled 11 women.

Atkins told investigators Aug. 21, according to the Detroit Free Press: "I killed all 11 of them so I didn't have to worry about them pressing charges"

Atkins described the killing of Juanita Harvey, 23, whose body was found in an abandoned motel. Atkins said: "I never really planned to kill her," and said: "After raping her, having sex and hating her for a being a woman, I had the desire to kill her for being a woman. I just wanted to hate her and cause her harm."

Atkins said he killed his first victim, Patricia George, 36. He said they had smoked crack together in an abandoned building, and he became enraged, choked her and raped her when she tried to leave.

Atkins confessed to the murders, including one victim that he had hidden in a secret basement beneath a vacant garage.

During the interrogation, Detroit homicide detective Sgt. Ronald Sanders said: "You never had a father," and also said: "I have a son exactly your age. You need to get this off your chest. Talk to me."

A sheriff's deputy said that Atkins’s greatest concern on leaving the courtroom was getting a cigarette.

Trial

At trial, his attorney, Jeffrey Edison, fought hard to convince jurors that Atkins was a product of a harsh society and environment. In the end, jurors pronounced Atkins guilty.

Prosecutor Michael Reynolds said: "While no one takes joy in another's death -- even one who has committed such hideous crimes -at least those who lost loved ones at Mr. Atkins ' hands can take comfort in knowing he will never be released back into society,"

Sentencing

Atkins was sentenced to eleven life sentences on May 11, 1994.

Lindsay said: "Sooner or later," and also said: "justice does prevail."

Appeals and procedural outcome

When appellate courts announced the challenge to his multiple convictions was moot, the appellate courts announced that the challenge to his multiple convictions was moot.

Aftermath

Atkins, age 29, died three weeks before the report of his death at Duane Waters Hospital, connected with the Egeler Correctional Facility in Jackson. The cause of death was listed as HIV infection. Word of his death moved through the Detroit criminal justice community late that week when appellate courts announced that the challenge to his multiple convictions was moot.