Bobbie Joe Long American serial killer Date of Birth: 14.10.1953 Country: USA

1. Biography of Bobby Joe Long
2. Marriage and Legal Troubles
3. Tampa Murders
4. Capture and Conviction

Biography of Bobby Joe Long

Bobby Joe Long, also known as Bobbie Joe Long, Robert Joe Long, and Robert Joseph Long, was born in 1953 in Kenova, West Virginia. He was born with an extra X chromosome, which caused him to develop breasts during adolescence. Due to this condition, Bobby became a target for bullying and harassment throughout his school years. Additionally, he experienced several head injuries from accidents, such as falling from a horse and being involved in a serious bicycle accident. He also had a complex relationship with his mother, with whom he shared a bed until his teenage years.

Marriage and Legal Troubles

In 1974, Bobby married his girlfriend, and they had two children together. However, they divorced in 1980. In 1981, Long faced charges of rape, but they were eventually dropped after a retrial. He is suspected of being involved in approximately 50 other cases of rape that occurred prior to his series of brutal murders.

Tampa Murders

In 1983, Long moved to Tampa, Florida, where the crime rate was already high with an average of 30-35 murders per year. In 1984, the number of violent crimes spiked dramatically. Over the course of eight months, an unknown killer started targeting victims every couple of weeks, using a unique method to restrain them. The first victim was discovered in May, and a serious investigation involving the FBI promptly began.

Meanwhile, Long began searching for his victims in the area, frequenting questionable establishments, bars, and dance clubs to find vulnerable women whom he would offer rides home. Once inside their homes, Long would typically threaten them with a knife, tie them up, brutally rape them, and before leaving the crime scene, he would also rob their houses. Between May and November of 1984, Bobby Joe Long strangled, beat, or shot at least nine women. All the bodies were found in strange positions, with their legs unnaturally twisted or in other bizarre poses. Three of the victims were prostitutes, and two were exotic dancers.

Capture and Conviction

A thorough investigation, including the collection of evidence and the involvement of psychologists, was conducted to apprehend the killer. Bobby Joe Long was finally captured on November 16, 1984, after attempting to sexually assault and abduct his last victim, 17-year-old Lisa McVey, who managed to escape. However, the police did not yet realize they had caught a serial killer.

During McVey's interrogation, the investigation unexpectedly led to other victims. As a result, Long was charged with eight murders, one abduction, and multiple counts of rape. He pleaded guilty on September 24, 1985, and was sentenced to 26 consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole.

Although the state had the option to pursue the death penalty, Long received one death sentence in early 1985. After numerous legal appeals, he was eventually resentenced to one term of 5 years, four terms of 99 years, 28 life sentences, and one death sentence.

Currently, Bobby Joe Long is incarcerated in the death row section of a Florida state prison.