Janice Morgan

By December, it's been eight months since the Freeway Phantom's first murder, and investigators are once again combing over the evidence, making sense of the disparate pieces. The fruit found in Carol Spinks' stomach. The phone calls to victims' families. The shorter timelines of the killings, starting with the two-hour abduction and murder of Nina Moshe Yates.

By December, it's been eight months since the Freeway Phantom's first murder, and investigators are once again combing over the evidence, making sense of the disparate pieces. The fruit found in Carol Spinks' stomach. The phone calls to victims' families. The shorter timelines of the killings, starting with the two-hour abduction and murder of Nina Moshe Yates.

The coat draped over Brenda Woodard's body. The bizarre note left inside. Investigators know that a few of the victims were abducted from the same neighborhood, but the killer's locations and tactics have changed enough that it's hard for them to draw conclusions. All they know for sure is he's probably Black, he enjoys toying with people, and he's more violent and emboldened than ever.

The coat draped over Brenda Woodard's body. The bizarre note left inside. Investigators know that a few of the victims were abducted from the same neighborhood, but the killer's locations and tactics have changed enough that it's hard for them to draw conclusions. All they know for sure is he's probably Black, he enjoys toying with people, and he's more violent and emboldened than ever.

The lack of progress is heartbreaking for the victims' loved ones. In interviews with People Magazine Investigates, many express frustration with authorities. They feel a sense of indifference from police. And some wonder if things would be different if the killer's victims were white. As they continue to push investigators to solve the five homicides, a specter hangs over Washington, D.C.

The lack of progress is heartbreaking for the victims' loved ones. In interviews with People Magazine Investigates, many express frustration with authorities. They feel a sense of indifference from police. And some wonder if things would be different if the killer's victims were white. As they continue to push investigators to solve the five homicides, a specter hangs over Washington, D.C.

It seems like only a matter of time before another young Black girl ends up dead. But the other shoe doesn't drop. Months go by without another body appearing, and there's hope that maybe the killings have come to an end. But those hopes are dashed in September 1972, when the freeway phantom comes out of hiding again.

It seems like only a matter of time before another young Black girl ends up dead. But the other shoe doesn't drop. Months go by without another body appearing, and there's hope that maybe the killings have come to an end. But those hopes are dashed in September 1972, when the freeway phantom comes out of hiding again.

17-year-old Diane Williams spends the evening of September 5th, 1972 on a date with her boyfriend in Southeast D.C. After, he walks her to the nearest bus stop, watches her board, and sees the bus drive away. The next morning, a trucker finds Diane's body on the side of I-295. She's been strangled to death, and forensics analysts reveals clear sign of sexual assault.

17-year-old Diane Williams spends the evening of September 5th, 1972 on a date with her boyfriend in Southeast D.C. After, he walks her to the nearest bus stop, watches her board, and sees the bus drive away. The next morning, a trucker finds Diane's body on the side of I-295. She's been strangled to death, and forensics analysts reveals clear sign of sexual assault.

Almost immediately, her murder is connected to the so-called freeway phantom. Diane becomes victim number six. Terror sweeps through D.C. all over again as communities desperately search for answers. At times, it feels like grasping at straws. Amateur sleuths learn that three of the six victims all had the middle name Denise and wonder whether that could mean something.

Almost immediately, her murder is connected to the so-called freeway phantom. Diane becomes victim number six. Terror sweeps through D.C. all over again as communities desperately search for answers. At times, it feels like grasping at straws. Amateur sleuths learn that three of the six victims all had the middle name Denise and wonder whether that could mean something.

But investigators eventually find a more promising pattern. Five of the six victims were found with green synthetic fibers on their clothing, all identical. They look like carpet fibers, possibly from the inside of someone's car or home. The only victim without green fibers is Darlenea Johnson, whose body was left outside for over a week.

But investigators eventually find a more promising pattern. Five of the six victims were found with green synthetic fibers on their clothing, all identical. They look like carpet fibers, possibly from the inside of someone's car or home. The only victim without green fibers is Darlenea Johnson, whose body was left outside for over a week.

It's possible the fibers were lost due to weather or decomposition. The investigation continues, making no real headway for years. In 1974, two years after Diane Williams' murder, the FBI creates a task force of over 100 detectives and agents to find the Freeway Phantom. They investigate hundreds of suspects, from army generals to psychiatrists.

It's possible the fibers were lost due to weather or decomposition. The investigation continues, making no real headway for years. In 1974, two years after Diane Williams' murder, the FBI creates a task force of over 100 detectives and agents to find the Freeway Phantom. They investigate hundreds of suspects, from army generals to psychiatrists.

But arguably the most notable is a computer engineer named Robert Askins. Askins was previously convicted of murder. In 1938, he poisoned a sex worker and served 20 years in prison for the crime. Notably, in court documents, he used language which later appeared in the Freeway Phantom's note to police, specifically the word tantamount.

But arguably the most notable is a computer engineer named Robert Askins. Askins was previously convicted of murder. In 1938, he poisoned a sex worker and served 20 years in prison for the crime. Notably, in court documents, he used language which later appeared in the Freeway Phantom's note to police, specifically the word tantamount.

Investigators use the loose connection to obtain a search warrant for Robert's property. They find some pretty disturbing evidence. Photos of girls and young women, buttons and jewelry under the seats of his car, and a knife that was apparently used in a separate unrelated crime. Officials take samples of the carpet in Askin's home and car, as well as strands of his hair.

Investigators use the loose connection to obtain a search warrant for Robert's property. They find some pretty disturbing evidence. Photos of girls and young women, buttons and jewelry under the seats of his car, and a knife that was apparently used in a separate unrelated crime. Officials take samples of the carpet in Askin's home and car, as well as strands of his hair.