Offender Record · OFF-2026-081
Lorenzo Gilyard (photo from the Radford University biography)
Lorenzo Jerome Gilyard Jr.
Also known as The Kansas City Strangler
Sex
Male
Race
Black
Height
5'8"
Born
1950
Custody
Incarcerated
States
MO, KS
Distinguishing features5'8" tall, according to Radford University serial killer biography
Custody
Incarcerated at Western Missouri Correctional Center · #44287
Custody record at the facility
Sentenced to life in prison without parole on March 16, 2007; moved from Crossroads Correctional Center to Western Missouri Correctional Center in July 2019.
This record documents arrests, charges and convictions reported by courts, law enforcement agencies and news organizations. Every statement is tied to a cited source with an archived copy. A charge is an accusation, not proof of guilt; a person charged is presumed innocent unless convicted. Solve the Case does not allege that this person committed any offense beyond what the cited records state, and this record is not a suggestion that the person is connected to any unsolved case. How records are built, corrected and removed.
Summary of the record
Lorenzo Gilyard, known as the Kansas City Strangler, was convicted of six counts of first-degree murder on March 16, 2007. Gilyard is believed to have raped and murdered at least 13 women and girls in Kansas City, Missouri, between 1977 and 1993. He was arrested on April 16, 2004, after DNA evidence linked him to the killings. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole and is currently incarcerated at Western Missouri Correctional Center.
Documented Arrests, Charges and Convictions
Dispositions are shown exactly as the cited records report them. Pending charges are updated when a court acts; a record with no remaining conviction or pending charge is removed from the site.
Offense date Jul 1974, Kansas City, Missouri
Sexual acts with a minor
Jackson County, Missouri · Jackson County District Court · Arrested Jul 1974 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: 9 months in Jackson County Jail
Gilyard was arrested for raping a 13-year-old daughter of a friend near the Missouri River. The rape charges were dropped when the victim changed her testimony, but Gilyard was convicted of sexual acts with a minor.
SourcesLorenzo Gilyard; 10 Things To Know About Lorenzo Gilyard; Kansas City man guilty of murdering six women
Offense date Apr 10, 1977, Kansas City, Missouri
Murder of Stacie L. Swofford
Jackson County, Missouri · Jackson County Circuit Court · Arrested Apr 16, 2004 · Charged (pending) Charged (pending) · Sentence: Charges dropped in plea deal
A 17-year-old sex worker, last seen April 10, 1977, found dead a week later in a vacant lot bearing signs of suffocation.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Gilyard, Lorenzo; Lorenzo Gilyard
Offense date Jan 1979, Kansas City, Missouri
Rape and kidnapping
Jackson County, Missouri · Jackson County District Court · Arrested 1979 · Acquitted Acquitted
Gilyard was accused of kidnapping a couple and raping the woman while holding her boyfriend hostage at gunpoint. Despite the victims identifying him, he was acquitted by jury verdict in September 1980 due to lack of evidence.
SourcesLorenzo Gilyard; Serial killer Lorenzo Gilyard murdered 13 prostitutes; Lorenzo Gilyard
Offense date Jan 22, 1980, Kansas City, Missouri
Murder of Gwendolyn Kizine
Jackson County, Missouri · Jackson County Circuit Court · Arrested Apr 16, 2004 · Charged (pending) Charged (pending) · Sentence: Charges dropped in plea deal
A 15-year-old prostitute, reported missing January 22, 1980, found dead the next day with wire wrapped tightly around her neck and wrists.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Gilyard, Lorenzo; Lorenzo Gilyard
Offense date May 09, 1982, Kansas City, Missouri
Murder of Margaret J. Miller
Jackson County, Missouri · Jackson County Circuit Court · Arrested Apr 16, 2004 · Charged (pending) Charged (pending) · Sentence: Charges dropped in plea deal
A 17-year-old sex worker found strangled in a vacant lot on May 9, 1982.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Gilyard, Lorenzo; Lorenzo Gilyard
Offense date Mar 14, 1986, Kansas City, Missouri
Murder of Catherine M. Barry
Jackson County, Missouri · Jackson County Circuit Court · Arrested Apr 16, 2004 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life imprisonment without parole (concurrent with other convictions)
A 34-year-old mentally ill woman, not a prostitute but known to walk streets and accept rides from strangers. Found dead in abandoned building on March 14, 1986, with a nylon stocking wrapped around her neck.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Gilyard, Lorenzo; Kansas City man guilty of murdering six women
Offense date Aug 16, 1986, Kansas City, Missouri
Murder of Naomi Kelly
Jackson County, Missouri · Jackson County Circuit Court · Arrested Apr 16, 2004 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life imprisonment without parole (concurrent with other convictions)
A 23-year-old single mother who was forced to engage in prostitution due to financial issues. Found strangled in city park on August 16, 1986, with a towel tied around her neck and face.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Gilyard, Lorenzo; Kansas City man guilty of murdering six women
Offense date Nov 27, 1986, Kansas City, Missouri
Murder of Debbie Blevins
Jackson County, Missouri · Jackson County Circuit Court · Arrested Apr 16, 2004 · Charged (pending) Charged (pending) · Sentence: Charges dropped in plea deal
A 32-year-old prostitute, found nude and strangled in bushes outside a church on November 27, 1986.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Gilyard, Lorenzo
Offense date Apr 17, 1987, Kansas City, Missouri
Murder of Ann Barnes
Jackson County, Missouri · Jackson County Circuit Court · Arrested Apr 16, 2004 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life imprisonment without parole (concurrent with other convictions)
A 36-year-old exotic dancer and prostitute, found strangled near city center on April 17, 1987, ten years after the first victim Stacie Swofford was found.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Gilyard, Lorenzo; Kansas City man guilty of murdering six women
Offense date Jun 09, 1987, Kansas City, Missouri
Murder of Kellie A. Ford
Jackson County, Missouri · Jackson County Circuit Court · Arrested Apr 16, 2004 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life imprisonment without parole (concurrent with other convictions)
A 20-year-old sex worker, found almost completely naked and strangled in Roanoke Park on June 9, 1987.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Gilyard, Lorenzo; Kansas City man guilty of murdering six women
Offense date Sep 12, 1987, Kansas City, Missouri
Murder of Angela Mayhew
Jackson County, Missouri · Jackson County Circuit Court · Arrested Apr 16, 2004 · Acquitted Acquitted
A 19-year-old, found dead in 2600 block of Genessee Street on September 12, 1987. Gilyard was acquitted of this murder due to insufficient evidence.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Gilyard, Lorenzo; Lorenzo Gilyard
Offense date Nov 03, 1987, Kansas City, Missouri
Murder of Sheila Ingold
Jackson County, Missouri · Jackson County Circuit Court · Arrested Apr 16, 2004 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life imprisonment without parole (concurrent with other convictions)
A 36-year-old prostitute, found dead in abandoned van on November 3, 1987. Gilyard was a suspect in this case in 1987 when a blood sample was taken for comparison.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Gilyard, Lorenzo; Kansas City man guilty of murdering six women
Offense date Dec 19, 1987, Kansas City, Missouri
Murder of Carmeline Hibbs
Jackson County, Missouri · Jackson County Circuit Court · Arrested Apr 16, 2004 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life imprisonment without parole (concurrent with other convictions)
A 30-year-old drug addict and sometime prostitute, found dead in parking lot on December 19, 1987.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Gilyard, Lorenzo; Kansas City man guilty of murdering six women
Offense date Feb 12, 1989, Kansas City, Missouri
Murder of Helga Kruger
Jackson County, Missouri · Jackson County Circuit Court · Arrested Jun 23, 2006 · Charged (pending) Charged (pending) · Sentence: Charges dropped in plea deal; not brought to trial
A 26-year-old woman murdered in February 1989. Prosecutors filed a 13th murder charge against Gilyard in June 2006 for this death after DNA testing linked him to the case.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Gilyard, Lorenzo
Offense date Jan 11, 1993, Kansas City, Missouri
Murder of Connie Luther
Jackson County, Missouri · Jackson County Circuit Court · Arrested Apr 16, 2004 · Charged (pending) Charged (pending) · Sentence: Charges dropped in plea deal
A 29-year-old woman, body discovered in snowdrift at 25th Street and Allen Terrace on January 11, 1993. This was Gilyard's last known victim.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Gilyard, Lorenzo
Pattern and Background
Victim counts and the pattern of the offenses as stated by courts, agencies and the cited reporting. Suspected counts are what officials have said publicly, not a finding of this site.
6
Victims convicted
0
Victims confessed
13
Victims suspected
Active years
1977–1993
Victim profile
Young women, Teenagers, Sex workers, Strangers
Stated motive
Sexual
Range from home
local
Education
some high school
Marital history
Married
Children
11
Places Lived, Worked and Frequented
Each place and date range comes from a cited record. Dates marked approximate are as reported. Know a place that is missing? Use Edit record under the photo; a moderator reviews it before it appears.
KS
Kansas City, Kansas
1986 – 2004 · Deffenbaugh Disposal, supervisor for trash collection company
MO
Kansas City, Missouri
1950 – 2004 · 8335 Kenwood Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri (at time of 2004 arrest)
Kansas City, Missouri
Jul 1974 – Dec 1974 · Jackson County Jail for sexual acts with a minor; 9-month sentence
Kansas City, Missouri
May 1982 – Jan 1986 · Prison incarceration for theft/probation violation; released January 1986, approximately 4 years
Kansas City, Missouri
Jan 10, 1983 – 1983 · Returned to prison after parole for bomb threats
Kansas City, Missouri
Apr 16, 2004 – present · Western Missouri Correctional Center (moved from Crossroads Correctional Center in July 2019)
Known Vehicles
Vehicles and approximate dates of ownership or use, as reported in the cited records. A photo next to a vehicle is the vehicle itself as published.
1974 Chevrolet Convertible – Chevrolet convertible identified by rape victim in 1974
approx. 1974 – 1974
Victim identified Gilyard's Chevrolet convertible and picked him out of a lineup in February 1974 rape case
Timeline
May 24, 1950
Lorenzo Jerome Gilyard Jr. born in Kansas City, Missouri.
1967
Gilyard married his pregnant girlfriend at age 17.
Jan 1969
Gilyard arrested for assaulting and raping a girl he knew; charges dropped after reconciliation agreement.
1970
Gilyard's father convicted of rape and sent to prison.
1973
Gilyard arrested for assaulting his wife; forced to pay fine and divorce.
Feb 1974
Gilyard arrested for raping a 25-year-old exotic dancer; charges dropped after reconciliation agreement.
Jul 1974
Gilyard arrested for raping 13-year-old daughter of friend; rape charges dropped when victim changed testimony but Gilyard convicted of sexual acts with a minor.
Dec 1974
Gilyard released from Jackson County Jail after serving 9-month sentence for sexual acts with a minor.
Apr 17, 1977
Stacie L. Swofford, 17-year-old sex worker, found dead in vacant lot at 45th Street and Euclid Avenue.
1979
Gilyard arrested for assaulting a young couple and raping the woman while holding her boyfriend hostage at gunpoint.
Jan 23, 1980
Gwendolyn Kizine, 15-year-old prostitute, found strangled with wire wrapped around neck and wrists.
Sep 1980
Gilyard acquitted by jury of 1979 rape and kidnapping charges due to lack of evidence.
May 1982
Gilyard arrested for theft; sentenced to prison for probation violation.
May 09, 1982
Margaret J. Miller, 17-year-old sex worker, found strangled in vacant lot near 37th Street and Garfield Avenue.
Jan 1986
Gilyard released from prison after approximately 4-year sentence.
Mar 14, 1986
Catherine M. Barry, 34-year-old mentally ill woman, found dead in abandoned building near 30th and Central streets.
Aug 16, 1986
Naomi Kelly, 23-year-old sex worker and single mother, found strangled in city park at 10th and Harrison streets.
Nov 27, 1986
Debbie Blevins, 32-year-old prostitute, found strangled in bushes outside church at 38th and Wyandotte streets.
Apr 17, 1987
Ann Barnes, 36-year-old exotic dancer and prostitute, found strangled at 13th Street and Lydia Avenue.
Jun 09, 1987
Kellie A. Ford, 20-year-old sex worker, found strangled in Roanoke Park at 1300 W. Valentine Road.
Sep 12, 1987
Angela Mayhew, 19-year-old, found dead in 2600 block of Genessee Street.
Nov 03, 1987
Sheila Ingold, 36-year-old prostitute, found dead in abandoned van parked in 3700 block of Troost Avenue.
Dec 1987
Gilyard becomes suspect in Sheila Ingold murder; blood sample taken for DNA testing.
Dec 19, 1987
Carmeline Hibbs, 30-year-old drug addict and prostitute, found dead in parking lot at 3560 Broadway.
Feb 12, 1989
Helga Kruger, 26-year-old woman, murdered in Kansas City.
Jan 11, 1993
Connie Luther, 29-year-old woman, body discovered in snowdrift at 25th Street and Allen Terrace. This is Gilyard's last known victim.
Apr 16, 2004
Gilyard arrested after DNA testing linked him to 12 murders; later charged with 13 counts.
Apr 29, 2004
Gilyard indicted by Grand Jury on 12 counts of murder.
Jun 23, 2006
Prosecutors file 13th murder charge against Gilyard for Helga Kruger death.
Mar 05, 2007
Gilyard's trial begins without jury before Judge John O'Malley.
Mar 16, 2007
Judge O'Malley convicted Gilyard of six counts of first-degree murder (Catherine Barry, Naomi Kelly, Ann Barnes, Kellie Ford, Sheila Ingold, Carmeline Hibbs) and acquitted him of one (Angela Mayhew). Sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Jul 2019
Gilyard transferred from Crossroads Correctional Center to Western Missouri Correctional Center.
Sources
Solve the Case is never the original source. Each item below is the public record a statement on this page rests on, with an archived copy where one exists.
News report · Discover Walks ·
10 Things To Know About Lorenzo Gilyard“He was accused of five rapes between 1969 and 1974, according to probation records, but was never found guilty.”
News report · Crime Library ·
Serial killer Lorenzo Gilyard murdered 13 prostitutes“He was charged in 1979 with raping a woman while holding a gun on her boyfriend. Despite compelling evidence, a jury acquitted him.”
News report · Wikipedia ·
Lorenzo Gilyard“He was convicted of six counts of first-degree murder on March 16, 2007.”
News report · Yahoo Entertainment ·
Evil Lives Here: The Killer Speaks: Who is Lorenzo Gilyard & Where is he Now?“According to the Missouri Department of Corrections, Gilyard is currently serving his sentence at the Crossroad Correctional Center in Cameron.”
News report · They Will Kill You ·
The Story of Serial Killer Lorenzo Jerome Gilyard Jr.“Gilyard was initially held at the Western Missouri Correctional Center before being moved to the Crossroads Correctional Center in July 2019.”
News report · Lawrence Journal-World ·
Murderer gets life in prison for deaths of six K.C. women“A judge sentenced Gilyard to life in prison without parole Friday for strangling six women in 1986 and 1987.”
News report · NBC News ·
Prosecutor: Serial killer suspect raped victims“The identity of that assailant remained unknown until the lab analyzed a blood sample taken from Gilyard in 1987, when he was a suspect in the death of one of the women he is now charged with killing.”
News report · Lawrence Journal-World ·
Kansas City man guilty of murdering six women“Victims Lorenzo Gilyard was convicted of killing: Catherine M. Barry, 34; Naomi Kelly, 23; Ann Barnes, 36; Kellie A. Ford, 20; Sheila Ingold, 36; Carmeline Hibbs, 30.”
Other · Radford University Department of Psychology ·
Radford University serial killer biography: Gilyard, Lorenzo“Serial killer researched and Summarized by Julie Payne, Derek Hommema, Ashley Hash and Catherine Hosford”
Discussion
Casual discussion about this record on the community forum. The facts live on this page: to add a place, a vehicle or a source, use the Edit record button under the photo so a moderator can review it. Please name no one else, never name a victim, and do not connect the person to any case not listed here.Open the topic on the forum
Corrections and removal. If a charge on this page has been dismissed, acquitted, overturned, pardoned or expunged, or any fact is wrong, tell us through the correction form. Corrections are free, reviewed within five business days, and a record with no remaining conviction or pending charge is removed. Information here may not be used for decisions about employment, housing, credit, insurance or any purpose covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and never to harass, threaten or harm anyone. Where a source is an offender registry, that information is reproduced as of the date shown and is subject to the conditions of use of that registry.