Homicide Report > Grim Sleeper killings: Mary Lowe, 26, in 1987
Grim Sleeper killings: Mary Lowe, 26, in 1987
Died Oct. 31, 1987
Mary Lowe, a 26-year-old black woman, was found dead Oct. 31, 1987, in the 8900 block of Western Avenue in Gramercy Park, authorities said.
Her body was dumped in an alley and covered up, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. She had been shot with a small-caliber gun, police said.
Los Angeles police believe she is the sixth 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 Lowe's 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
- Age: 26
- Gender: Female
- Cause: Gunshot
- Day of the week: Saturday
- Agency: LAPD 77th
- Race/Ethnicity: Black
- Crime scene: Alley
Related homicides:
- Janecia Peters [Grim Sleeper]
- Valerie McCorvey
- Princess Berthomieux
- Alicia Alexander
- Lachrica Jefferson
- Bernita Sparks
- Barbara Ware
- Thomas Steele
- Henrietta Wright
- Debra Jackson
Two reader comments about Mary Lowe
Mary Lowe is my sister. I am so glad that finally an arrest has been made for this horrible crime. Mary nor any of the other victims deserved this. Our family was shocked when this happened and clueless of who did this. Although, this cannot bring my sister back, I am happy that 23 years of this mystery is over. My heart goes out for all the victims families as well. At least we now have a face for the pain we suffered all these years. Twenty-three years...so long! However, I am thankful for the police efforts to find this man for these killings. May justice be served!
July 10, 2010 at 12:41 a.m.
I am so so sorry about what happen. It is a shame that we have to live in a world like this.I did not know her but I want to find out if by some chance we are family.I am from South Catolina and he name after my grandfather sister Agnes Lowe I hope someone in the family would contact me so we can talk my name is Agnes Patricia Lowe and my grandfather name is Nathan Lowe
Jan. 12, 2012 at 12:32 p.m.
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