The Freeway Phantom
Washington, District of Columbia · 1971–1972
Between 1971 and 1972, an unidentified killer abducted and strangled six young Black girls and women in Washington, D.C., leaving several of their bodies along Interstate 295 and even a taunting note signed 'Free-way Phantom.'
Overview
From April 1971 to September 1972, six young African American girls and women, ranging in age from 10 to 18, were abducted from their Washington, D.C. neighborhoods and strangled, with several bodies left along Interstate 295 and other roadways in D.C. and Prince George's County, Maryland. The unidentified killer became known as the 'Freeway Phantom,' widely cited as D.C.'s first known serial killer. A note found in victim Brenda Woodard's coat referred to the killer's 'insensitivity' toward women and was signed 'Free-way Phantom.' Despite decades of investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI, no one has been charged or convicted, and the case remains officially unsolved.
Where it stands
The case remains an open, unsolved cold case with the Metropolitan Police Department's homicide division. Detective Romaine Jenkins reopened the investigation in the late 1980s, and the FBI completed a behavioral profile around 1990. Much of the original evidence and case files was lost or destroyed over the years. The case drew renewed public attention in May 2023 with the launch of the podcast 'Freeway Phantom,' produced by Tenderfoot TV, iHeartMedia, and Black Bar Mitzvah and hosted by Celeste Headlee; that effort matched MPD's standing reward of up to $150,000, bringing the total offered to up to $300,000. The Metropolitan Police Department continues to confirm the case is open.
Persons of interest
The theories below are reported strictly as attributed to the cited sources. Naming a person here is not an accusation. Individuals are named only where they are deceased, were formally charged, were officially named by authorities, or have been publicly cleared.
- Robert Askins, a deceased convicted rapistDeceased
A person of interest; a convicted rapist whose record reportedly contained the unusual word 'tantamount,' which also appeared in the killer's note. He was never charged in the Freeway Phantom killings and is deceased.[1]
- Inmates known as the 'Green Vega Rapists'
A group of men incarcerated for D.C.-area rapes were investigated as suspects, and one reportedly provided details before recanting. None was charged in the Freeway Phantom case.[1]
Sources
- Freeway Phantom
“this is tAntAmount to my insensititivity [sic] to people especiAlly women. I will Admit the others wheN you cAtch me iF you cAn!”
- 'Freeway Phantom' Homicide Victims
“From April 1971 to September 1972 six young African-American girls were abducted from their neighborhoods in Washington, DC and murdered.”
- The Gruesome Murder Spree of the 'Freeway Phantom': D.C.'s First Serial Killer
“If this happened to my sister, it could happen to anybody. And it did.”
- The Story Behind DC's 'Freeway Phantom' Serial Killer
“We know people saw something, one of those girls was snatched right out in front of a grocery store.”
- Freeway Phantom — A Tenderfoot TV True Crime Podcast
“Called the 'Freeway Phantom,' the killer has been neither arrested nor identified to this day.”
- Reward — Freeway Phantom
“a new total reward, of up to $300,000, is now being offered”