So, about the Grand Rapids murders...
While the fist was found in Muskegon county (which adjoins Kent County, where Grand Rapids is), the rest were found in Kent county and Grand Rapids (as I understand) and they were prostitutes. Does it often happen that a serial killer switches from prostitutes to women and girls who are not? Heeringa, Bletch, the 16 year old who got away, and the 15 year old from 1996 are were not prostitutes. Certainly Willis is sex obsessed (as all serial killers are in one way or another) but I thought a killer who kills prostitutes usually stuck with that type of victim.
Good find, although those murders don't seem to fit the MO of Willis. It's still worth checking the ballistics though.This is probably nothing, but I found it interesting. Just ran across the story of the I-70 killer.
http://unsolvedmysteries.wikia.com/wiki/Interstate_70_Killer
Check out the sketch to the right. It reminds me of the sketch in the Heeringa case, and of Willis' high school picture.
The I-70 killer's spree began in April 1992 and he used a .22 caliber weapon.
So, about the Grand Rapids murders...
While the fist was found in Muskegon county (which adjoins Kent County, where Grand Rapids is), the rest were found in Kent county and Grand Rapids (as I understand) and they were prostitutes. Does it often happen that a serial killer switches from prostitutes to women and girls who are not? Heeringa, Bletch, the 16 year old who got away, and the 15 year old from 1996 are were not prostitutes. Certainly Willis is sex obsessed (as all serial killers are in one way or another) but I thought a killer who kills prostitutes usually stuck with that type of victim.
A judge will now decide if there's enough evidence to send Willis to trial for murder on June 16th.
NORTON SHORES, Mich. (WOOD) A man now accused of murder and kidnapping wasnt at work in the days after Jessica Heeringa vanished, a law enforcement official close to the investigation confirmed to 24 Hour News 8.
He seems to commit his crimes in a small area near where he lives. Wonder if he spent any time in Ohio :
View attachment 95483
Crime timeline in Jeff Willis probe: Heeringa vanishes, jogger slain, girl kidnapped
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/...f_willis_probe.html#incart_river_index_topics
He worked for a furniture manufacturer.I haven't had a chance to read everything about Willis. Does anyone know what he does for a living?
Until his arrest he worked at Herman Miller's Spring Lake Township facility on Hickory Street. He was placed on leave after his arrest pending further investigation, the company said in a statement. Willis was arrested while driving home from his third-shift job Tuesday morning, May 17, Muskegon County Sheriff Dean Roesler said. According to his application for a public defender, he has worked for the furniture manufacturer for 18 years and earns $900 every two weeks.
It isn't unheard of for serial killers to start out killing prostitutes and graduate to more "respectable" victims as they gain more confidence. I honestly can't think of any examples (since it seems to me, most prostitute slayers stick with prostitutes since they have a steady supply of easy victims), but many FBI profiles have come out and said that in the past.
Is there more information on the Grand Rapids murders online? I can't find much information. I also wonder how much he was traveled outside of Michigan, since he seems to have stayed in or around Muskegon county for most of his life.
He worked for a furniture manufacturer.
Who is Jeffrey Willis? What we know about sexual kidnapping suspect
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2016/05/who_is_jeffrey_willis_what_we.html
Many serial killers never kill prostitutes, like Bundy for example. I doubt he went from killing prostitutes to killing women he could abduct by other means. Remember he had been video taping women in parking lots and stalked a woman for 12 years who had nothing to do with prostitution.
I guess it really depends on the psychology behind the individual. Bundy was charming, intelligent, etc., but also extremely narcissistic. He knew how to exploit those traits, and figured he could get almost any woman he wanted by using them. Most serial killers aren't like that, which is why they typically victimize people in "rougher" areas of society. It's possible Willis victimized prostitutes until he become more comfortable and then decided to go on and victimize victims that were considered more "respectable" by society.
Right now I don't think it's wise to rule anything out. Since as of now, Willis only has two confirmed victims. I believe he probably has more, but only time will tell.
He worked for a furniture manufacturer.
Who is Jeffrey Willis? What we know about sexual kidnapping suspect
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2016/05/who_is_jeffrey_willis_what_we.html
"Until his arrest he worked at Herman Miller's Spring Lake Township facility on Hickory Street. He was placed on leave after his arrest pending further investigation, the company said in a statement. Willis was arrested while driving home from his third-shift job Tuesday morning, May 17, Muskegon County Sheriff Dean Roesler said. According to his application for a public defender, he has worked for the furniture manufacturer for 18 years and earns $900 every two weeks."
He must have a rather low level job to be earning so little!