The person at the center of this case
Six to nine women (predominantly hotel housekeepers)
Cold Case · Open
27 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 #1Male, Black, age 20s-30s at time of incidents, approximately 5'7" to 5'10", medium to stocky build, dark complexion, black hair, brown eyes—how did he gain access to hotel rooms undetected?
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evidence
Lead #2Box cutter engraved with 'Debbie' and a suspect ring recovered from crime scenes—do these items belong to the suspect or connect to a victim or associate?
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evidence
Lead #3DNA from six confirmed attacks linked to single offender—why haven't database matches or familial DNA searches identified him?
Between August 1998 and February 2006, a serial rapist violently assaulted six to nine women across the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, predominantly 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; five additional suspicious incidents at area hotels may also be connected. Despite physical evidence including a personalized box cutter and a suspect ring recovered from crime scenes, the perpetrator remains unidentified and at large, and investigators need the public's help to identify him before he can harm others.
Case
#323
Federal Bureau of Investigation, 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.
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location
Lead #4Why were hotel housekeepers specifically targeted across multiple properties in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia—was the suspect employed in hospitality?
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clue
Lead #5Five additional suspicious incidents at area hotels may be related—what distinguishes these from the six DNA-confirmed cases and why haven't they been solved?
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
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1998-08-22
Series begins
First documented sexual assault in the D.C. area hotel rapist series
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2002
Box cutter recovered
Box cutter with name 'Debbie' written on it used in 2002 incident at Hilton Hotel in Silver Spring, Maryland
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2003
Suspect ring recovered
Ring came off during assault at Renaissance Washington D.C. Metropolitan Hotel on 9th Street NW
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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:June 8, 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:June 8, 2026
Up to $5,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case