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
Three 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.
Share a memory or thought about Bernita Sparks