Homicide Report > Grim Sleeper killings: Bernita Sparks in 1987
Grim Sleeper killings: Bernita Sparks in 1987
Died April 15, 1987
Bernita Sparks, a black woman, was found dead April 15, 1987, in the 9400 block of South Western Avenue in Gramercy Park, authorities said.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, she had been shot with a small-caliber gun. Sparks' body was discovered in a trash bin.
Los Angeles police believe she is the fifth of 11 victims of a serial killer known as "the Grim Sleeper."
![Map shows location of Franklin's home [purple marker] and locations where Grim Sleeper's victims were found [in red]. Click for more details.](http://www.latimes.com/includes/projects/homicide_report/grim_sleeper_homemap.jpg "Map shows location of Franklin's home [purple marker] and locations where Grim Sleeper's victims were found [in red]. Click for more details.")
On July 7, 2010, authorities arrested Lonnie David Franklin Jr., a 57-year old black man, at his home in South Los Angeles after police said they made DNA matches linking him to Sparks' killing, as well as others dating between 1985 to 2007.
Prosecutors said they have charged Franklin with 10 counts of murder, noting that he is eligible for the death penalty. He has not been charged in the 1986 shooting death of Thomas Steele, a 36-year old black man, although authorities believe Steele's killing is connected to the other cases.
Franklin is a former city trash collector who at one time worked as a vehicle mechanic at an LAPD station, sources said.
— Times staff reports
Map shows location of home of Lonnie David Franklin, Jr. and the locations of where the Grim Sleeper's victims were found. Click for more details.
- Neighborhood: Gramercy Park
- Gender: Female
- Cause: Gunshot
- Day of the week: Wednesday
- Agency: LAPD 77th
- Race/Ethnicity: Black
Related homicides:
- Janecia Peters [Grim Sleeper]
- Valerie McCorvey
- Princess Berthomieux
- Alicia Alexander
- Lachrica Jefferson
- Mary Lowe
- Barbara Ware
- Thomas Steele
- Henrietta Wright
- Debra Jackson
Four reader comments about Bernita Sparks
It is so sad that these beautiful, innocent peoples lives ended this way. I hope investigators are able to get into the mind of Lonnie Franklin to figure out why someone would do these things. I pray for the families of the victims, that they may find some small sense of closure in his arrest.
July 8, 2010 at 11:05 a.m.
My Heart Gos out To The Sparks Family and The Beard Family. I Hope This Gives Them Some Closure. It Be Great If They Gave The Victums Familys The 500,000
Seems Only Fair to me.
July 9, 2010 at 1:08 p.m.
I knew Bernita well she grew up with my daughters, she was at my home many times,she was a real nice person always a happy girl. I'm very sorry that her life ended this way, I pray for her family that the person arrested will be put away for EVER.For The Rest of his LIFE.
July 9, 2010 at 8:35 p.m.
DEAR familY I have been waiting for them to find the man all these years. I have FELT so bad all these years that I did not tell bernita to stay with us that horrible night, about 11:00 that evening. I had just seen her about a week before, she had changed.Bernita was telling us about Jesus and what He could do for our lives . I knew that she was right ; but the pain and wounds that were gushing tears kept me steadily taking drugs like medication to stop the heartaches that woke me up every morning.Crack would relieve my heart if for just a litle while.Bernita told that we could get in the car with the wrong man also that GOD loved us and wanted to set us free from drugs and drinking and street life that was taking us no where fast.YOU COULD TELL, Bernita looked really really good I want you to know she did inspire me to talk to the LORD about myself and the hell that I lived in. Tears that the world could not see nor cared about. We ALL had heard about Debra we heard it thru the grapevine. Berita said she needed to leave and go home to go to church. I envied her boldness to stand against this monster that had such a grip on me. I watched her walk away I can still remember how healthy and happy she was. she gained her weight back. she was smiling from her heart.I knew she was walking with the LORD and she wanted us to have that peace and that love and boldness like she had. Then I saw her a week later and something had changed.It was about 11:00 or 12:00 midnight and she wanted me to go with her. but I wanted to stay in what I was thinking was the safe area where we could see each other. she was rushing down western we had words. I had been spooked by her and REVEREND Patterson. and my other friend Elain had been shot multiple times but lived.moms and propertop, little liz ,that I remember got out I would pray that GOD would set us free and Sunshine she was such a sweet person I haven't found her yet she looks like one of the girls on the billboard. I never knew how to get in touch with you. TO ALL THE FAMILIES mary and Debra's family may God give you rest and peace.as u can see I am awake . and may GOD send the perfect labors out to minister to the the young and old women and old and young men looking for love. THIS LOVE THAT YOU AND I WERE LOOKING FOR ONLY GOD CAN AND IS WILLING TO GIVE IT TO YOU,KNOW THIS THAT IF GOD EXCEPTED ME HE WILL EXCEPT YOU, WORD Up THO,IF HE CAN FORGIVE BERNITA AND MY SINS HE WILL INDEED FORGIVE YOURS WHEN YOU JUST TELL HIM ABOUT IT.GOD BLESS YOU.
July 24, 2010 at 5:01 a.m.
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