Serial killer Donald Murphy murdered his victims in Detroit, Michigan. Most, perhaps all, of the women he killed were prostitutes. Murphy started his criminal career young. On February 10, 1967, he was found guilty of sex assault. At 23, he was sentenced to 6 months in Detroit House of Correction. Two years later, on July 28, 1969, Murphy was convicted of unarmed bank robbery and was sentenced to 8 years. He was out in 3.
He continued to break the law and get arrested, and was on probation during his killings spree. Murphy was arrested just days after his attack on survivor Cheryl Harris (read her story here, on her website about her own lawsuit, related to a finger injury ).
During the time when Murphy was killing prostitutes in Detroit, so was at least one other serial killer. At least 18 women were killed. Murphy’s “signature” included binding women with their own clothing.
In November 1980, after the last murder but before Murphy’s last crime, another man confesses. David Payton confesses to the murders of 4 prostitutes, but recants. Police don’t care. Even after Murphy confessed to some of the same murders, it would be months until Payton was released.
Payton said he confessed under pressure. Payton was threatened with a rape charge by one of the officer’s girlfriends if he did not confess to the murders. He would later sue the Prosecutors for $15 million.
Murphy was contrite after the trial. He claimed he killed as many as 10 women, but could not remember because he would get blackout drunk. He read Bible passages and said he was sorry for the pain he had caused. He was then sent to a special correctional facility. Murphy was eligible for parole in 2015.
Donald Murphy’s murder timeline
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1
April 19, 1980
Jeanette Woods is beaten, stabbed and strangled before being dumped on the sidewalk.
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2
June 14, 1980
22-year-old Diane Burks was on the way to the hospital to visit a friend. She never made it. Her body was found in a fenced-in easement that acted as a Lover’s Lane. She had been strangled with a chain intertwined with telephone wire.
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4
October 8, 1980
26-year-old prostitute Bettye Jean Rembert is bludgeoned and stabbed to death. She is left under some hedges in a vacant lot in Detroit, Michigan.
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5
October 22, 1980
Cynthia Angela Warren is stabbed and beaten, and left in some bushes in a vacant lot. The pick axe handle used to kill her was found in Murphy’s car.
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6
November 7, 1980
Cecilia Marie Knott is a 24-year-old prostitute. She is picked up and murdered. She was sexually assaulted, stabbed, beaten and strangled. She is found in a yard with her sweater tied around her neck.
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7
November 8, 1980
David Payton is arrested and charged with the murders of various prostitutes. Some of these women are victims of Murphy.
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8
December 13, 1980
Cheryl Harris, a 21-year-old waitress, is offered a ride home by one of the regulars. She survives being sexually assaulted, beaten and strangled with pantyhose. After the initial attack, Murphy drove for hours with the unconscious victim before dumping her in the yard of a vacant house. Harris, still bound, struggled to a nearby house for help. She contacts police.
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9
December 15, 1980
Murphy is arrested and charged with the murders of Warren and Knott. He is also charged with the attempted murder of Harris.
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10
March, 1981
Charges are dropped against David Payton. Prosecutors are heavily criticized for taking so long after Murphy’s confession.
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11
January 8, 1982
As part of a deal, Murphy pleads guilty to the murders of Warren and Knott. Rape charges were dropped against him (rape charges carried a longer prison term). Despite confessing to killing up to 10 women, he is charged with only 2, as that is all the evidence supports.
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12
January 27, 1982
Murphy is sentenced to the Riverdale Correctional Facility. It treats prisoners with emotional problems, and vulnerable prisoners needing protection. He gets 2 sentences of 30 years, with possibility of parole after 15. They run concurrently.
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14
February 19, 1982
David Payton sues Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office for malicious prosecution, libel and civic rights violations. He asks for $15 million.
