The person at the center of this case
Multiple hotel housekeepers (6-9 women)
Cold Case · Open
28 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
🔍
evidence
Lead #1A box cutter with 'Debbie' written on it and a suspect's ring were recovered from crime scenes—do these items belong to someone in the suspect's circle or have personal significance?
🎯
suspect
Lead #2The suspect is described as a Black male, 5'7" to 5'10", medium to stocky build, with black hair and brown eyes, appearing to be in his 20s-30s during the incidents—does this match anyone known to work or frequent D.C.-area hotels?
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witness
Lead #3Hotel staff and management at multiple properties may have observed suspicious individuals entering housekeeping areas or guest rooms during the 1998-2006 timeframe—have any suspicious encounters been reported?
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 who were assaulted in their workplaces. Six attacks have been definitively linked by DNA to a single male offender, with five additional suspicious incidents at area hotels possibly connected to the same perpetrator. Despite physical evidence including a box cutter with the name 'Debbie' and a suspect's ring recovered from crime scenes, the offender remains unidentified and at large, and investigators urgently need public tips to solve this violent crime series.
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.
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location
Lead #4Why were housekeepers at multiple hotels across D.C., Prince George's County, Montgomery County, and Arlington targeted, and did the suspect have legitimate access to these properties?
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clue
Lead #5The use of specific weapons (box cutter, necktie, cord) and the targeting of housekeeping staff suggests familiarity with hotel operations—could the suspect have worked in hospitality or maintenance?
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 attack in the D.C. area hotel rapist series
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2002
Box cutter recovered
Box cutter with name 'Debbie' used as weapon in 2002 incident
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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 on February 6, 2006
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:August 22, 1998
Last Updated:September 10, 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:September 10, 2026
Up to $5,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case