
A&E will premiere the new two-hour special “Cold Case Files: The Grim Sleeper,” expanding the groundbreaking true crime series and exploring the crimes of infamous serial killer Lonnie Franklin Jr. who preyed on women in South Central Los Angeles over a span of 25 years. Narrated by award-winning actress and producer Regina Hall, the gripping true crime tale is interwoven with the real-life story of the search for an elusive killer and the fight for justice in a Los Angeles community. “Cold Case Files: The Grim Sleeper” premieres on Friday, November 8 at 9pm ET/PT on A&E.
In Los Angeles in the 1980’s, a killer terrorized South Central, murdering African American women and discarding their bodies in the street. Yet, as the victim count rose, there were few suspects leading to fear and anger in a community often overlooked by the LAPD. Eventually dubbed “The Grim Sleeper,” this notorious killer went on to terrorize the neighborhood for decades until DNA technology allowed the LAPD to close in on the perpetrator. Featuring in depth interviews with survivors and victims’ families, many speaking for the first time, as well as rare archival footage, “Cold Case Files: The Grim Sleeper” explores the personal stories of the victims who were all but forgotten by the police, the media and the community at large.
“Cold Case Files: The Grim Sleeper” is produced by Category 6 Media, part of the A+E Factual Studios™ group, for A&E Network. Executive producers for Category 6 Media are Sharon Scott, Laura Fleury, Kristy Sabat and Hillary Heath. Executive producers for A&E Network are Elaine Frontain Bryant and Maitee Cueva. A+E Networks holds worldwide distribution rights.
About the Grim Sleeper

Lonnie David Franklin Jr. (August 30, 1952 – March 28, 2020), also known as the Grim Sleeper, was an American serial killer responsible for at least ten murders and one attempted murder in Los Angeles, California from 1984 to 2007. He was also convicted of rape and sexual violence. Franklin earned his nickname because he seemed to have taken a 14-year break from his crimes, from 1988 to 2002.
In July 2010, Franklin was arrested as a suspect. After many delays, his trial began in February 2016. On May 5, 2016, the jury convicted him of killing nine women and one teenage girl. On June 6, 2016, the jury recommended the death penalty, and on August 10, 2016, the Los Angeles Superior Court sentenced him to death for each of the ten victims named in the verdict. On March 28, 2020, Franklin was found dead in his cell at San Quentin State Prison. There were no signs of trauma on his body. His cause of death and the results of the autopsy have not been publicly released.
On December 16, 2010, the LAPD released 180 photos of women found in Franklin’s home after unsuccessful attempts to identify the individuals, who were possibly additional victims. “These people are not suspects, we don’t even know if they are victims, but we do know this: Lonnie Franklin’s reign of terror in the city of Los Angeles, which spanned well over two decades, culminating with almost a dozen murder victims, certainly needs to be investigated further,” said Police Chief Charlie Beck.
Investigators found over 1,000 photos and several hundred hours of video in his home. The images mainly feature Black women of various ages, from teenagers to middle-aged and older, often in nude poses. It is believed that Franklin took many of the pictures, which depict both conscious and unconscious individuals, dating back thirty years. The police released the photos in an attempt to identify the women.
Below are all the photos taken by Lonnie David Franklin Jr. that were released by the LA Police Department. Several of the women featured in the photos have never been identified.