Jackson County prosecutors filed a new murder charge today against accused serial killer Lorenzo J. Gilyard.
Gilyard, 56, now faces 13 first-degree murder charges in Jackson County Circuit Court.
Details about the latest charge, including the identity of the
victim who was killed in February 1989, were not immediately available.
Jackson County Prosecutor Mike Sanders is expected to discuss the case this afternoon.
Sanders previously charged Gilyard in connection with the deaths of three girls and nine women between 1977 and 1993. He announced last year that he is seeking the death penalty for Gilyard.
I am sorry, but that pic looks like one of those molds they make for missing persons. He doesn't look real to me, maybe it's the emptiness in the eyes. And after reading about the crimes he committed, he looks even emptier.
I hope they give this guy some swift justice and it isn't strung out for years and years, but for now, at least he is off the streets.
Posted by: Theresa M | Friday, June 23, 2006 at 12:52 AM
He's the most prolific serial killer in the history of this area. Yet, most of us haven't even heard about him.
Wonder if it's because all but one of his victims were prostitutes.
Posted by: G | Friday, June 23, 2006 at 07:21 AM
G,
I think the difference may be he's the most prolific accused serial killer in the history of this area. Your DNA at 12 homicide scenes is still not a criminal conviction.
I don't know that much about this case, but I know Lorenzo Gilyard has beaten many raps going back to the 1960s. I think when this case progresses he'll get his due notoriety.
Still, I wonder the same thing you do. That these crimes date as far back as 1977 is probably another factor.
Greg Reeves
Posted by: Crime Scene KC | Friday, June 23, 2006 at 07:42 AM
Remember back in the 80's when Grissom was just an accused serial killer? He was all OVER the news. I still hear his name from time to time.
Few people could probably tell you who the most prolific serial killer in US history was. He killed prostitutes too.
Everyone says it: "Just because they were prostitutes, it doesn't mean they deserved this terrible fate." I think we all believe that...but I still wonder if deep down, in places we don't talk about at parties, if there is that lingering doubt....that little voice that wonders if maybe, just maybe, they hath reaped what they have sewn.
Posted by: G | Friday, June 23, 2006 at 08:44 AM
Don't judge the prostitutes. Alot of them got started as runaways, as young as 12. It was the only way they could feed themselves.
While living in Nevada I met many there since it is legal there. A few turned out to be really good friends of mine.
I asked them why did they become who they were and it was the same, "Money. So they could survive."
As for the serial killer, sometimes I think they need to bring back public hangings.
Posted by: Pam | Friday, June 23, 2006 at 01:08 PM