Police in Wisconsin have arrested a man in connection with the murders of nine women over a 21-year period in the Milwaukee area. Police Chief Edward Flynn said 49-year-old Walter Earl Ellis was arrested for two of the murders that took place between 1986 and 2007.Ellis was linked to the victims by DNA evidence, police said.
The victims - eight of them prostitutes and the other a runaway - ranged in ages from 16 to 41. Ellis was officially charged Monday with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Joyce Mims, 41, and Ouithreaun Stokes, 28.
Both victims were strangled, but they died 10 years apart. Police expect more homicide charges to be filed against Ellis.
DNA Linked to 9 Victims
Authorities said DNA from Ellis was found on nine of the victims, but they believe someone else killed one of them, Jessica Payne, a 16-year-old white runaway whose throat was slashed. All of the other victims were prostitutes and black.
Originally, investigators suspected Ellis in seven of the murders, but when they compared his DNA to that found on two dozens other prostitutes who were killed in the Milwaukee area, they got to more matches - on Irene Smith, 25, killed in 1992, and Carron D. Kilpatrick, 32, killed 1994.
Both Smith and Kilpatrick were also strangled.
Police would not release a mug shot of Ellis because they are still using his photo while interviewing potential witnesses, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
See Also:
Police Say Man Arrested Linked to 9 Deaths
Police Arrest Man in Connection With 7 Killings
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Comments
I wonder how many would still be alive if Wisconsin collected DNA on Felony Arrest. Collecting DNA on all felony arrests will save investigation time, prosecution time and it will save a lot of pain and lives!
DNA on Arrest will:
Catch criminals earlier in their careers
Reduce number of repeat offenders released into our communities
Reduce plea bargains
Bring closure to victims/loved ones who are waiting for justice
Reduce number of victims and crimes being committed
Reduce the re-victimization of victims
Allow for consolidation of cases for serial criminals like this guy
Increase likelihood of Guilty Pleas to full charges
Increase the certainty of convictions and time sentenced
Exonerate the wrongly accused sooner
Solve more Cold Cases allowing for closure for victims
Ultimately reduce costs to state and local governments and
Balance the Scales of Justice
The DNA Profile taken by law enforcement does not contain ANy medical , psychological or racial history. It merely identifies a person much like a bar code on a product in the stores. As far as an invasion of privacy, which would you rather see on the evening news if arrested; your mug shot or your DNA (Bar code). Taking a swab of the inside of a suspect’s cheek is less invasive than doing finger prints. Citizens, by law, have to identify themselves to law enforcement. This is just a means of identification. Currently 21 states and the Federal Government collect DNA on all felony Arrests. Wisconsin does not! It will be a safe haven fro criminals if legislation isn’t passed soon. Let your lawmakers know you want DNA collected onArrest. It is incredibly shortsighted to think it will cost too much. It is crucial to start collecting DNA on all felony Arrests. It will save lives and money!
Karen, You are 100% right! All states should collect DNA on all FELONY arrests! I don’t understand why a state wouldn’t. It’s incredibly stupid!!!!!
I AM A SURVIOR OF A DV WHERE THE GUY TRIED TO KILL ME. AND HE SHOULD OF BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF ATTEMPTED MURDER HE WAS FOUND GUILTY OF SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT FOR BURNING ME WITH A CURLING IRON BUT NOTHING FOR THE SHOOTING INCIDENT OR HOLDING ME IN MY OWN APARTMENT. I HAD A GUN HELD TO MY HEAD ON A DAILY BASES. PEOPLE WONDER HOW A PERSON CAN HOLD ANOTHER PERSON HOSTAGE. THIS MAN DONE THROUGH THREATS OF HAVING MY GODCHILD KILLED AND MY BOSS AND HER 2 BABIES BY HIS GANG MEMBERS. I DID NOT KNOW THAT HIS GANG WAS LOOKING FOR HIM AS HE HAD RIPPED THEM OFF. I HAD IT ARRANGED FOR THE PD TO ARREST HIM WHEN HE WENT TO COURT BUT THINGS CAME DOWN BEFORE THEN AND I CALLED THEM BEFORE HAND AND THEY MADE THE ARREST. SO ANYONE READING THIS IN LAKEWOOD CO. HAVE FAITH IN THE POLICE DEPT AND THE COURT SYSTEMS. WHAT HAPPENED IN MY CASE WAS THE DA COULDNT GET 2 ABUSERS OFF OF THE JURY. BUT THEY DID RELOCATE ME AND GAVE ME A LETTER 10 YRS LATER TO CHANGE MY NAME.
THE MAIN COMPLAINT I DO HAVE IS YOU CAN GET MORE TIME IN COLORADO FOR DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE THAN YOU CAN FOR MOLESTING A CHILD.
I’m so glad that he was finally sentenced to death! It sickens me… Why would he kill someone so innoccent?Jessica Payne was one of my sister’s best friends. He caused so much pain and needless suffering to Jessica and those around her.
RIP: Jessica Payne