In this episode, we explore the life, crimes, and eventual capture of Lonnie Franklin Jr., infamously known as The Grim Sleeper. For decades, Los Angeles authorities hunted a predator responsible for a series of murders that spanned more than 20 years. We break down the investigation, the survivor who changed everything, and how DNA technology finally unmasked one of California’s most elusive serial killers.

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Beneath the Silence: The Grim Sleeper's Shadow Over South Central Los Angeles. (2025, April 12). Retrieved from Crime Solvers Central: https://crimesolverscentral.com/blog/post?name=beneath-the-silence-the-grim-sleepers-shadow-over-25045

Condemned inmate Lonnie Franklin dies. (2020, March 29). Retrieved from California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/news/2020/03/29/condemned-inmate-lonnie-franklin-dies/

Grim Sleeper. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grim_Sleeper

Lonnie Franklin. (n.d.). Retrieved from Violent Minds: https://www.violentminds.com/serial-killers/lonnie-franklin/

Margaritoff, M. (2024, October 16). Inside Lonnie Franklin Jr.'s Murders as The Grim Sleeper. Retrieved from All That's Interesting: https://allthatsinteresting.com/grim-sleeper

Pelisek, C., & Hanlon, G. (2022, October 15). The Grim Sleeper serial killer: 7 Things to know after Lonnie Franklin's Death. Retrieved from People: https://people.com/crime/grim-sleeper-serial-killer-death-7-things-to-know/

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Silverman, H. (2020, March 30). Convicted Serial Killer known as the Grim Sleeper found dead in prison cell. Retrieved from CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/30/us/grim-sleeper-dies-death-row/

Simply Forensic. (2024, December 21). Lonnie David Franklin Jr.: Inside the Grim Sleeper's Dark World. Retrieved from Simply Forensic: https://simplyforensic.com/lonnie-david-franklin-jr/

Smith, B. (2023, May 23). How DNA Helped Catch the Grim Sleeper The prolific serial killer who terrorized Los Angeles. Retrieved from Oxygen: https://www.oxygen.com/the-dna-of-murder-with-paul-holes/crime-time/grim-sleeper-lonnie-david-franklin-dna-arrest

Vanapalli, V. (2021, April 21). How and When did the Grim Sleeper Die? Retrieved from The Cinemaholic: https://thecinemaholic.com/how-and-when-did-the-grim-sleeper-die/