Atlantic City Eastbound Strangler 4 Women Found Dead behind Motel Egg Harbor Twp, Nov 2006

[AC_Lucky1]

All good points. The key issue to me is: was Ms. Raffo off-duty after leaving the Taj?

Any idea of when a working girl's hours would begin and end?

That depends on the girl. Some are low volume providers, some are high volume. Some will go with anyone at anytime if they need the cash.

 

[sakura.shinra]

This SK appears to be the very definition of a Mission-Oriented Serial Killer. I don't know if he heard voices or had multiple personalities but he is extremely focused. Initially I thought he was simply picking them up off the street. But now I'm beginning to suspect that he might have been stalking them where they lived. - Just an opinion.

A hyper-focused, mission oriented serial killer is unlikely to be hearing voices or anything like that, because these traits are more in line with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or other disorders that cause the sufferer to experience breaks with reality. Serial killers with these kinds of disorders - schizophrenia, drug-induced psychosis, schizotypal personality disorder, etc - tend to be chaotic and disorganised, and while they may be mission-oriented, they lack the organisational skills, foresight and focus that the AC killer appears to possess. Examples of disorganised serial killers include Richard Trenton Chase, Henry Lee Lucas, Ottis Toole and Andrei Chikatilo.

In contrast the AC killer appears, from what we know, to be an organized killer. He takes forensic countermeasures by leaving them in water, and he dumps the bodies in a place where they are likely to be found eventually but which has enough privacy that he is able to take precautions against being seen when dumping the bodies. I believe that the AC killer is an organized killer, but that's just my take on it and I look forward to hearing other's thoughts about it.

 

[cynical_1]

That depends on the girl. Some are low volume providers, some are high volume. Some will go with anyone at anytime if they need the cash.

It's hard to do anything but speculate with the little amount of information that we have. Ms. Raffo left a client at the Taj so I'm assuming she made a bit more money than a car date. I'd say she was hustling to make the rent but, apparently, paying the rent wasn't a concern for them.

If she intended to head back onto the street after leaving her last client I'd imagine she'd have at least swung by home to get a jacket. I don't remember seeing any reports of it being unusually warm that morning.

In fact, I remember reading a report that stated that the personal assigned to recover the bodies the next day were fighting a coastal storm. With a pocketful of cash and a few hours since her last hit I see her headed straight home. That's why I think that this Charles Coles character knows more than he's ever let on about.

Of course, there is the possibility that she was intercepted before she made it home. If that's the case then the SK wasn't just trolling Pacific Ave. but was targeting some of these women right where they lived on Tennessee Ave.

But he'd then have to convince her to take a ride with him and away from the alley where business was usually conducted. Ridgway never killed his victims where he picked them up so I don't see this guy killing them on Tennessee Ave. But she'd have to have known him in some way to accept a ride from him.

As always, just my opinion.

 

[Rachel1]

I think we all can agree that the vicinity of Tennessee Ave is a common denominator between all of them. So the likelihood of SK at least trolling around there is good.

 

[cynical_1]

I think we all can agree that the vicinity of Tennessee Ave is a common denominator between all of them. So the likelihood of SK at least trolling around there is good.

A quick glace at Google maps and I noticed a surveillance camera on the roof of the Casino Control Commission building at the end of Tennessee. Also one looking at the parking lot from the roof of the pic-a-lilli pub adjacent the Commission building. There's also a Super 8 and another name brand motel right in the middle of Tennessee Ave.

 

[Rachel1]

Exactly. It makes no sense that in a city where everything is caught on camera, these girls all got into a car with a SK and ended up murdered but yet nobody saw a thing.

 

[cynical_1]

Exactly. It makes no sense that in a city where everything is caught on camera, these girls all got into a car with a SK and ended up murdered but yet nobody saw a thing.

Papa Joe Boccino had a daily routine of heading over to Sister Jean's soup kitchen at around 6:30 am. He helped prepare food there twice daily. In his absence someone had to be left at his small dinner to cook. Someone who probably came on duty around that time in the morning. Just thinking out loud.

I'm exploring the angle that Ms. Raffo knew the person enough to have accepted a ride from him.

 

[sakura.shinra]

Exactly. It makes no sense that in a city where everything is caught on camera, these girls all got into a car with a SK and ended up murdered but yet nobody saw a thing.

This may be further proof that the girls all knew the killer and if that's the case the footage wouldn't necessarily show the classic scene of a sex worker leaning into a car window to talk to a potential client, instead it might show the victims walking to a waiting vehicle with the killer, looking relaxed, conversing calmly and naturally. Their body language wouldn't show any red flags so any LE looking at the footage may have written it off as a victim meeting up with a friend for coffee or a drink prior to meeting with the person who killed her. If the victims all knew their killer, it's likely their friends may have as well, so lets say one of more of these meetings is caught on tape, the cops show the footage to friends of the victim and they say "Oh that can't be the guy, that's so-and-so who's a friend of hers. She must've met the killer after she left so-and-so." It seems unlikely because we expect that a good detective will follow up with this so-called friend regardless, but lets be honest, the police aren't perfect, they have their fair share of officers who a lazy and like to cut corners or who are straight up incompetant, so we can't take it for granted that things that should have been followed up actually were followed up. Sadly though, after all this time, the chances of any CCTV footage still being in existence is not great unless the cops preserved any of it, but if they did, it's technically evidence in an open case so they're hardly going to share that footage with the likes of us, are they.

 

[cynical_1]

This may be further proof that the girls all knew the killer and if that's the case the footage wouldn't necessarily show the classic scene of a sex worker leaning into a car window to talk to a potential client, instead it might show the victims walking to a waiting vehicle with the killer, looking relaxed, conversing calmly and naturally. Their body language wouldn't show any red flags so any LE looking at the footage may have written it off as a victim meeting up with a friend for coffee or a drink prior to meeting with the person who killed her. If the victims all knew their killer, it's likely their friends may have as well, so lets say one of more of these meetings is caught on tape, the cops show the footage to friends of the victim and they say "Oh that can't be the guy, that's so-and-so who's a friend of hers. She must've met the killer after she left so-and-so." It seems unlikely because we expect that a good detective will follow up with this so-called friend regardless, but lets be honest, the police aren't perfect, they have their fair share of officers who a lazy and like to cut corners or who are straight up incompetant, so we can't take it for granted that things that should have been followed up actually were followed up. Sadly though, after all this time, the chances of any CCTV footage still being in existence is not great unless the cops preserved any of it, but if they did, it's technically evidence in an open case so they're hardly going to share that footage with the likes of us, are they.

One of the investigators assigned to the case lamented that the AC Vice Squad wasn't brought into the investigation until three days after the bodies were discovered. The Task Force wasn't assembled until a full month afterwards. Mistakes were made.

 

[cynical_1]

One of the connections to Kim Raffo is her friendship with a bartender named John Pesce. He, along with ex-husband Hugh Auslander and Charles Coles, attended her memorial service on the BHP on Nov. 25, 2006. "She was trying to get her life together, but she couldn't get away," said John Pesce, 46, a friend of Raffo's who was among a small group gathered Saturday outside the Golden Key Motel.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/25/AR2006112500415.html

Mr. Pesce was mentioned in another article as well when it was reported that Ms. Raffo left a message for him in September before leaving for Long Island with her ex-husband. “Kim said yes, and just before she left, she recorded a message for her friend, bartender John Pesce. "Hi John, it's Kim. I'm gettin' the hell out of dodge. I would really like to say goodbye. Thanks for everything, and I love you," she said in the recording.”
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/beyond-the-boardwalk/4/

The only bar that I can find that Mr. Pense worked at in AC is Tony's Baltimore Grill on Atlantic Ave. more towards the center of town. Apparently he worked the morning shift there starting around 8:00 am. In no way am I inferring the he is the SK, rather I am trying to make a connection to Ms. Raffo's moves in the early morning hours of Nov. 19th.

At the end of Tennessee Ave sits a cozy little dive bar named the Pic-A-Lilli Pub. I have no research to back it up but I'm guessing that it's possible that Mr. Pesce may have worked at that bar as well were he may have struck up a friendship with Ms. Raffo. The Pic-A-Lilli describes itself as “we’re thoroughbred fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers”.

Perhaps it's possible that Ms. Raffo was headed to this pub on the morning of the 19th and was met by the SK either in the parking lot or inside the bar itself.

Victim #1 Molly Dilts' toxicology report indicated no drugs, only alcohol. She also happened to hail from an area close by Pittsburgh. Somehow I could see Ms. Dilts, on a Sunday, knockin' a few back inside this joint while a Steelers game was playing on the flat screen tv's inside.

As always, just my opinion.

 

[cynical_1]

Every day new details surrounding these crimes emerge that are intriguing. This post is a bit more complicated than some of my others as it involves a time-line gathered from several reputable news sources. A fresh cup of coffee might help to make sense of the information in this post.

From what I've gathered it appears that victim #4, Kim Raffo, may have been residing in nearby Ventnor NJ. when victim #2, Barbara Breidor, dissappeared from there (Ventnor) on October 17, 2006.

After five weeks in Long Island Kim Raffo returns to Atlantic City on October 14th and stays with friend, John Pesce, for a few days. “Kim stayed for a while with John Pesce, but quickly found herself back on the track.”
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/beyond-the-boardwalk/4/

For the first three days after her return Ms. Raffo is clean and sober. A quote from Sister Jean Webster who not only runs the soup kitchen but also works as an outreach worker: “She seemed to be making progress last month, Webster said, but after three days of sobriety, she was back on the crack pipe.”
http://nypost.com/2006/11/24/atl-city-gals-tragic-dream-finally-kicked-crack/

So for Oct. 14 - 17th Ms. Raffo is living at John Pesce's place. This Associated Press report indicates that John Pesce was residing in Ventnor, NJ. “She was trying to get her life together, but she couldn't get away,” said John Pesce, 46, of Ventnor, a friend of Raffo.”
http://legacy.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/nation/20061125-1159-bodiesfound.html

Summary:

Kim Raffo returns from Long Island on Oct 14th and resides with John Pesce in Ventnor NJ. until approximately Oct 17th. During this time she is going to drug counseling at Victory First Presbyterian Church on Pacific Avenue in Atlantic City. That is the location of Sister Jean's Soup Kitchen as well.

On October 17th Barbara Breidor leaves her place on Lafayette Ave. in Ventnor NJ. and is not heard from again until her body is discovered behind the Golden Key on Nov. 19th.

Theory

On Oct. 17th, Kim Raffo accepts a ride from AC back to where she's residing in Ventnor from one of the other participants in Sister Jean Webster's prayer group to help kick addiction. While in Ventnor the SK finds Barbara Breidor out and about and offers her a ride.

Earlier posts placed Barbara Breidor along Pacific Ave. on several occasions. Now, however, I think it's possible that Ms. Breidor may have encountered the SK in neighboring Ventnor NJ. I just find it too much of a coincidence that victim #4 (Kim Raffo) was living for three days just three blocks from where victim #2 (Barbara Breidor) disappeared from on Oct 17th.

As always, just my opinion.

ps: I know at times that my posts lead in different directions but that's just where this research keeps pointing. However, Sister Jean's Soup Kitchen on Pacific Ave. does appear to be a common point of reference throughout most of these events.

 

[Kellyd]

Every day new details surrounding these crimes emerge that are intriguing. This post is a bit more complicated than some of my others as it involves a time-line gathered from several reputable news sources. A fresh cup of coffee might help to make sense of the information in this post.

From what I've gathered it appears that victim #4, Kim Raffo, may have been residing in nearby Ventnor NJ. when victim #2, Barbara Breidor, dissappeared from there (Ventnor) on October 17, 2006.

After five weeks in Long Island Kim Raffo returns to Atlantic City on October 14th and stays with friend, John Pesce, for a few days. “Kim stayed for a while with John Pesce, but quickly found herself back on the track.”
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/beyond-the-boardwalk/4/

For the first three days after her return Ms. Raffo is clean and sober. A quote from Sister Jean Webster who not only runs the soup kitchen but also works as an outreach worker: “She seemed to be making progress last month, Webster said, but after three days of sobriety, she was back on the crack pipe.”
http://nypost.com/2006/11/24/atl-city-gals-tragic-dream-finally-kicked-crack/

So for Oct. 14 - 17th Ms. Raffo is living at John Pesce's place. This Associated Press report indicates that John Pesce was residing in Ventnor, NJ. “She was trying to get her life together, but she couldn't get away,” said John Pesce, 46, of Ventnor, a friend of Raffo.”
http://legacy.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/nation/20061125-1159-bodiesfound.html

Summary:

Kim Raffo returns from Long Island on Oct 14th and resides with John Pesce in Ventnor NJ. until approximately Oct 17th. During this time she is going to drug counseling at Victory First Presbyterian Church on Pacific Avenue in Atlantic City. That is the location of Sister Jean's Soup Kitchen as well.

On October 17th Barbara Breidor leaves her place on Lafayette Ave. in Ventnor NJ. and is not heard from again until her body is discovered behind the Golden Key on Nov. 19th.

Theory

On Oct. 17th, Kim Raffo accepts a ride from AC back to where she's residing in Ventnor from one of the other participants in Sister Jean Webster's prayer group to help kick addiction. While in Ventnor the SK finds Barbara Breidor out and about and offers her a ride.

Earlier posts placed Barbara Breidor along Pacific Ave. on several occasions. Now, however, I think it's possible that Ms. Breidor may have encountered the SK in neighboring Ventnor NJ. I just find it too much of a coincidence that victim #4 (Kim Raffo) was living for three days just three blocks from where victim #2 (Barbara Breidor) disappeared from on Oct 17th.

As always, just my opinion.

ps: I know at times that my posts lead in different directions but that's just where this research keeps pointing. However, Sister Jean's Soup Kitchen on Pacific Ave. does appear to be a common point of reference throughout most of these events.

It seems you are getting closer... thanks for all of your wonderful posts, I really enjoy your insight! Is Ventnor really only about 3.5 miles from AC?

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[cynical_1]

It seems you are getting closer... thanks for all of your wonderful posts, I really enjoy your insight! Is Ventnor really only about 3.5 miles from AC?

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

Hi, Ventnor is just south of AC and is located on the same Island (Absecon Island). Margate is also located on the island so they're all closely connected.

I don't know if I'm getting closer but I thought I'd post all the info I have out there so maybe others can help make sense of it.

 

[cynical_1]

It seems you are getting closer... thanks for all of your wonderful posts, I really enjoy your insight! Is Ventnor really only about 3.5 miles from AC?

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

By the way, thank you for the compliment. Sometimes I think I post too much and am hogging this thread. But I do have a considerable amount of information accumulated concerning this case and it doesn't do any good if I don't put it out there publicly for myself and others to interpret.

 

[Kellyd]

By the way, thank you for the compliment. Sometimes I think I post too much and am hogging this thread. But I do have a considerable amount of information accumulated concerning this case and it doesn't do any good if I don't put it out there publicly for myself and others to interpret.

You're welcome, I am learning so much more about the case because of your posts, please don't stop! They say "it takes a village" and I truly believe that. [emoji1]

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[kat913]

There's always the chance the common denominator was drugs...either currently using or known to attend meetings (Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous). Perhaps they met someone at a meeting...either in AC or Ventnor?

 

[Gothamgoddess27]

THe boardwalk goes for another 20 blocks past the last casino. IT then continues through Ventnor and Margate. The police did do regular sweeps to get people out of there. They have found bodies before, but mostly OD's and people who died from the cold. After the Hilton there are no cameras, same after the last casino, THE Showboat, on the other side of the island.

 

[Gothamgoddess27]

AC and Ventnor border each other

 

[cynical_1]

There's always the chance the common denominator was drugs...either currently using or known to attend meetings (Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous). Perhaps they met someone at a meeting...either in AC or Ventnor?

There's always that possibility as all four women acknowledged the problems that their addictions were causing them. However, the only report that I've read of any of them actually pursuing recovery would be Kim Raffo's first three days back in AC after her trip to Long Island.

 

[cynical_1]

Most news reports will cite Oct. 7th 2006 as the day Molly Dilts rolled into Atlantic City by bus from Philly. Those reports are correct but what they fail to mention is that Ms. Dilts had earlier spent a week in AC in late July 2006.

Apparently she had the time of her life: "She said she stayed at the Borgata," Rondell Burton said. The Borgata is touted as Atlantic City's most luxurious hotel-casino. "That was her first time going to Atlantic City. She said she really enjoyed herself and that she got to gamble for the first time, got to really see the beach, and that she would like to go back sometime."
http://www.post-gazette.com/frontpage/2007/02/04/The-girl-in-the-ditch/stories/200702040162

It's also possible that on her first visit to AC she made friends with Kim Raffo. “Kim took an interest in the full-faced young girl with the long dark hair. Molly was only 20. She looked even younger. She was always with Kim on the street. The young girl who lost her mother and the 35-year-old woman who lost her kids may have found something to cling to in one another.”

Note: This link refers to a page on another thread here and prefaces the quote with a byline by Lynda Cohan who is the premier crime reporter in Atlantic City.
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?165352-ATLANTIC-CITY-SK-possible-link-to-LISK-and-GB4/page22

It initially confused me that Ms. Dilts had made friends with Ms. Raffo because at the time of Molly's arrival on Oct. 7th Ms. Raffo was in Long Island. However, once the previous trip by Ms. Dilts to AC in late July was unearthed her time-line began to fall into place.

Sadly, the short time that Molly Dilts spent in AC after her second arrival on Oct. 7th was not what she expected. Her friend, Kim Raffo, was gone and she was left to fend for herself in the area around Tennessee Ave. At one point she was kicked out of a rooming house by Papa Joe Bocchino for sleeping in the hallways. Sister Jean Webster tried to direct her to Covenant House but she refused to seek refuge there.

For all practical purposes Molly Jean Dilts was living the life of a homeless transient during this time. She was scraping by doing what she had to do to make money but was not indulging in drugs. Her toxicology report would later indicate alcohol only.

Knowing Molly's affinity for drinking and finding herself in the situation that she did, the 24 hour a day pub at the end of Tennessee Ave, The Pic-A-Lilli Pub, must have appeared to her to have been an oasis in a desert of desperation.

The Pic-A-Lilli Pub proudly advertises itself as the go to place for Pittsburgh Steelers fans in AC. Molly, having grown up in Steelers Country, may have come to view this cozy dive bar as a home away from home, a place to belly up to the bar with other Steelers fans and swap stories of their dominance on the field. Hell, they had just won the Super Bowl in 2005 with Big Ben at the helm.

On Sunday Oct. 15, 2006 the Steelers played a home game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The kick-off was at 1:00 pm and the Steelers ended a three game skid by trouncing the Chiefs 45 to 7. Time to party. If Molly was in that bar that afternoon I'd say the chances of her getting hammered were pretty good. Later, well after the game, she may have bought a line of crap by some guy offering to take her over to the Borgata. Or an offer of a ride to make some money so she could continue to drink.

Whatever the case, poor Molly couldn't have predicted what came at her that night. And so it began.

As always, just my opinion.