The person at the center of this case
Multiple hotel housekeepers (6-9 women)
Cold Case · Open
27 years waiting · since 1998
D.C.-AREA HOTEL RAPIST
Justice for Multiple hotel housekeepers (6-9 women) — the trail went cold in 1998, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Male, Black, age 20s-30s at time of incidents, 5'7" to 5'10", medium to stocky build, black hair, brown eyes—why has he evaded capture for 8 years despite DNA evidence?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2Box cutter marked 'Debbie' and suspect's ring left at crime scenes—can these items be traced to identify the offender?
👁️
witness
Lead #3Hotel staff and housekeeping colleagues may have observed the suspect entering rooms or behaving suspiciously—were any suspicious individuals reported?
Between August 1998 and February 2006, a serial rapist attacked six to nine women across the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, primarily targeting hotel housekeepers in their workplaces. Six attacks have been linked by DNA to a single offender who used weapons like box cutters and cords to threaten victims. Despite physical evidence and composite sketches, the suspect remains unidentified and at large, making this case critical for public awareness and potential tips.
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 hotels in the D.C. area, particularly those employing housekeeping staff, targeted, and did the suspect work in the hotel industry?
💡
clue
Lead #5Five additional hotels reported suspicious activity that may be related—could connecting these incidents reveal a pattern in the suspect's movements or preferences?
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
Series begins
First documented sexual assault in the D.C. area hotel rapist series
📋
2002
Box cutter recovered
Box cutter with name 'Debbie' written on it used in 2002 incident at hotel
📋
2003
Ring evidence
Suspect's ring came off during assault at Renaissance Hotel on 9th Street NW, Washington D.C.
🕵️
2006-02-06
Series ends
Last documented attack in the serial rapist series
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:August 22, 1998
Last Updated:May 12, 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:May 12, 2026
Up to $5,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case