Kenneth Erskine English serial killer Country: Great Britain

1. Kenneth Erskine: The Stockwell Strangler
2. Early Crimes
3. A String of Murders
4. The Investigation
5. Imprisonment and Mental State

Kenneth Erskine: The Stockwell Strangler

Kenneth Erskine, also known as the Stockwell Strangler, was an English serial killer who operated in London in 1986. He targeted elderly victims, killing at least seven of them. Erskine had a modus operandi of breaking into homes, incapacitating his victims, and then strangling them. In some cases, there were also signs of sexual assault on the bodies.

Early Crimes

Erskine's first victim was 78-year-old Eileen Emms, whom he killed on April 9, 1986. Initially, the police did not suspect foul play until they discovered that Emms' television was missing from her apartment. Upon further examination, they found evidence of sexual assault and strangulation. Two months later, on June 9, Erskine murdered 67-year-old Janet Cockett. This time, the police reacted more swiftly and even found the killer's palm print on a window.

A String of Murders

Within three weeks, Erskine went on to kill two Polish pensioners, 84-year-old Valentine Gleim and 94-year-old Zbigniew Strabawa. Both victims showed signs of sexual assault before being strangled. On July 8, Erskine robbed, raped, and murdered 84-year-old William Carmen. Another victim, 74-year-old William Downes, suffered the same fate on July 21. The seventh and final victim, Florence Tisdall, was found dead on July 23.

The Investigation

The police quickly realized that all these murders were the work of one person. There were no signs of forced entry at the crime scenes, as Erskine gained access through unlocked windows. He would then overpower his victims, pinning them down, covering their mouths with his left hand, and strangling them with his right. Four of the seven victims were also sexually assaulted, although it is unclear if this occurred before or after their deaths.

Imprisonment and Mental State

Erskine was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years before he can be considered for parole. Since his conviction, his mental state has noticeably deteriorated, and he is currently held under strict supervision in a psychiatric hospital. He will not be eligible for release until at least 2028, although individuals with similar mental illnesses are typically denied early release.