Summary
Highlights
Two boys playing on an abandoned highway discover the nude, decomposed body of 20-year-old Lana Long, an exotic dancer. She was found face down, hands bound, and a cord wrapped around her neck. The deep bruising indicated excessive force. Police identified her and interviewed her boyfriend, John Corcoran, who hadn't reported her missing and had argued with her prior to her disappearance.
Two weeks later, the body of Michelle Simms, 22, a former beauty contestant, was found in a deserted location, also bound. Police found unusual tire prints with three different tires, including a Goodyear Viva and a distinctive Vogue tire mounted inward. A tiny red fiber was found on Simms' clothing, similar to one found on a scarf near Lana Long's body, linking the two cases.
A third victim, 18-year-old Chanel Williams, was found with a gunshot wound. Although seemingly different, tiny red fibers on her clothing were identical to those found on the previous two victims, confirming a serial killer. Forensic analysis revealed these mysterious red fibers were trilobal nylon, characteristic of inexpensive carpet often used in automobiles and hotels, and all from the same dye lot.
Tire tread experts analyzed the unique combination of tires: a common Goodyear, a Goodyear Viva mounted inward, and an expensive Vogue tire used exclusively on Cadillacs, also mounted inward. This unusual tire configuration, along with the red carpet fibers, became crucial evidence. Law enforcement kept this information private to prevent the killer from altering his methods.
Despite police efforts, a fourth victim, Karen Dinsfriend, was discovered, also with the distinctive red nylon trilobal fibers. However, the serial killer's pattern was broken when 17-year-old Lisa McVey was abducted, raped, and held captive for 24 hours. McVey, demonstrating incredible presence of mind, left fingerprints and meticulously observed details while blindfolded to aid in her potential identification or the killer's capture.
Lisa McVey's observations proved invaluable. She noted specific hotels near an interstate, the word "Magnum" on the car's dashboard, white seats, red carpet, and the sound of a 24-hour ATM. After her release, her clothing was analyzed, containing the same red nylon trilobal fibers found on the other victims and the latest victim, Kim Swann.
Police connected McVey's abduction to the serial killer. Her clue of the word "Magnum" led to a list of 486 Dodge Magnum owners. Cross-referencing this with ATM transactions around the time of her release identified Robert Long. Under surveillance, his car's unique tire setup was confirmed, matching the crime scenes. Long was arrested, and his car confiscated, where the red nylon trilobal carpet fibers explicitly linked him to all the crimes. Long subsequently confessed to 10 murders.
Confronted with the evidence, Robert Long confessed to the rape and abduction of Lisa McVey, and ten murders, including two unknown to police. Long expressed regret but admitted he didn't understand why he committed such acts. Investigators believe he may be responsible for more murders than he confessed to, as his progression to serial killing seemed too sudden.