The person at the center of this case
Six to nine women (predominantly hotel housekeepers)
Cold Case · Open
28 years waiting · since 1998
D.C.-AREA HOTEL RAPIST
Justice for Six to nine women (predominantly hotel housekeepers) — the trail went cold in 1998, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1What is the suspect's current location and identity? Six DNA-linked attacks suggest he may still pose a threat.
🔍
evidence
Lead #2The recovered box cutter marked 'Debbie' and suspect's ring are key physical evidence—do these items connect to known individuals?
👁️
witness
Lead #3Hotel staff and management during 1998-2006 may have observed suspicious behavior or have additional unreported incidents.
Between August 1998 and February 2006, a serial rapist attacked six to nine women across the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, predominantly targeting hotel housekeepers in their workplaces. Six attacks have been definitively linked by DNA to a single offender who would enter hotel rooms unnoticed and assault victims while they worked, sometimes using weapons like box cutters, neckties, or cords. Despite nearly two decades of investigation, the suspect remains unidentified, and authorities are seeking public assistance to identify and locate this dangerous individual.
Case
#323
FBI, Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, Prince George's County Police Department, Montgomery County Police Department, Greenbelt Police Department, Arlington County Police
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
📍
location
Lead #4Why were hotel housekeepers specifically targeted? Did the suspect have employment or access to hotel operations?
💡
clue
Lead #5The five additional suspicious hotel incidents may be connected—what distinguishes them from the six DNA-confirmed cases?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Washington, D.C. area 1998 to 2006 The Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the Washington D.C.
Metropolitan Police Department, Prince George's County Police Department, Montgomery County Police Department, Greenbelt Police Department, and Arlington County Police are asking for the public's assistance in identifying an individual responsible for a series of sexual assaults in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.
Between August 22, 1998, and February 6, 2006, a serial rapist violently assaulted six to nine women in the Washington D.C. area.
Six of these attacks have been linked by DNA to a single offender, and suspicious activity was reported in five additional area hotels which may also be related. In the vast majority of these cases, hotel housekeepers were victimized.
The unknown individual would enter hotel rooms unnoticed and rape housekeepers while they were cleaning. In several of the incidents, the suspect used a box cutter, a necktie, or a cord to threaten and harm his victims.
Timeline of Events
👤
1998-08-22
Serial assault series begins
First documented attack in the Washington D.C. area
📋
2002
Box cutter recovered
Box cutter with name 'Debbie' written on it used in assault at hotel
📋
2003
Suspect's ring recovered
Ring came off during assault at Renaissance Washington D.C. Metropolitan Hotel on 9th Street NW
🕵️
2006-02-06
Series ends
Last documented attack in the series
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:August 22, 1998
Last Updated:October 21, 2026
Up to $5,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:August 22, 1998
Last Updated:October 21, 2026
Up to $5,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case