Janice Morgan

As for the images of the six victims, those are forever burned in her mind. There's been one glimmer of hope in the case since Romaine retired. In 2002, Metro Police learned that not all forensic evidence had been lost. A medical examiner's office still had a sample of the killer's semen. Analysts ran tests straight away, but were unable to extract enough DNA for it to prove useful.

As for the images of the six victims, those are forever burned in her mind. There's been one glimmer of hope in the case since Romaine retired. In 2002, Metro Police learned that not all forensic evidence had been lost. A medical examiner's office still had a sample of the killer's semen. Analysts ran tests straight away, but were unable to extract enough DNA for it to prove useful.

So the glimmer of hope faded quickly. It's something the victims' loved ones are used to at this point. Many of them have connected since the murders and advocated for more support from law enforcement. They share a feeling of being overlooked, a feeling that's been validated by some officials.

So the glimmer of hope faded quickly. It's something the victims' loved ones are used to at this point. Many of them have connected since the murders and advocated for more support from law enforcement. They share a feeling of being overlooked, a feeling that's been validated by some officials.

Romaine Jenkins, for example, believes the six Freeway Phantom victims weren't prioritized by Metro Police. There were many factors that she says played a role, including general disorganization in the department and the city's ongoing protests. But according to her, race was also a factor. Tommy Musgrove agrees.

Romaine Jenkins, for example, believes the six Freeway Phantom victims weren't prioritized by Metro Police. There were many factors that she says played a role, including general disorganization in the department and the city's ongoing protests. But according to her, race was also a factor. Tommy Musgrove agrees.

He joined the Metro Police in 1972 and has gone on record to say that if the victims had been white, the department would have put more manpower behind their cases. There's no doubt in his mind. Whether that's true or not, data shows a discrepancy in clearance or solve rates for homicides in the United States.

He joined the Metro Police in 1972 and has gone on record to say that if the victims had been white, the department would have put more manpower behind their cases. There's no doubt in his mind. Whether that's true or not, data shows a discrepancy in clearance or solve rates for homicides in the United States.

A data analysis by Scripps Howard News Service examined all murder cases in the United States from the year 1980 to 2008. Homicides with white victims had a solve rate of 78%. In cases where the victim was Black or Hispanic, the number dropped to 67%.

A data analysis by Scripps Howard News Service examined all murder cases in the United States from the year 1980 to 2008. Homicides with white victims had a solve rate of 78%. In cases where the victim was Black or Hispanic, the number dropped to 67%.

Data compiled by a volunteer-run nonprofit, the Murder Accountability Project, found that solve rates for homicides have overall been steadily declining in the United States since the 60s. Which may be surprising considering all the new technology we have, but those numbers aren't exactly as they appear.

Data compiled by a volunteer-run nonprofit, the Murder Accountability Project, found that solve rates for homicides have overall been steadily declining in the United States since the 60s. Which may be surprising considering all the new technology we have, but those numbers aren't exactly as they appear.

While the average may have remained in decline, solve rates for cases with white victims have actually been rising since the early 90s. The reason for the overall decline is because the racial gap has continued to widen. In 2019, for example, 81% of cases with white victims were solved, compared to just 59% of cases with Black victims. What's driving those numbers?

While the average may have remained in decline, solve rates for cases with white victims have actually been rising since the early 90s. The reason for the overall decline is because the racial gap has continued to widen. In 2019, for example, 81% of cases with white victims were solved, compared to just 59% of cases with Black victims. What's driving those numbers?

No one has been able to point to one root cause, but regardless of the factors, the impact remains the same for victims' families and loved ones. In the case of the freeway phantom, they're still waiting for answers. Some hold out hope that the case will one day be solved. As Diane Williams' sister Patricia told the Washington Post, You never forget. There is no closure.

No one has been able to point to one root cause, but regardless of the factors, the impact remains the same for victims' families and loved ones. In the case of the freeway phantom, they're still waiting for answers. Some hold out hope that the case will one day be solved. As Diane Williams' sister Patricia told the Washington Post, You never forget. There is no closure.

Whoever did it has gotten away. They may be living somewhere else, doing it again. It's not too late to say something. You have a whole generation of family members who would like to see someone brought to justice. Thanks for tuning in to Serial Killers, a Spotify podcast. We'll be back Monday with another episode.

Whoever did it has gotten away. They may be living somewhere else, doing it again. It's not too late to say something. You have a whole generation of family members who would like to see someone brought to justice. Thanks for tuning in to Serial Killers, a Spotify podcast. We'll be back Monday with another episode.

If you have any information about the murders of Carol Spinks, Darlenea Johnson, Brenda Crockett, Nina Moshe Yates, Brenda Woodard, or Diane Williams, contact the Metropolitan Police Department at 202-962-2121. For more information on the Freeway Phantom murders, we recommend checking out the coverage done by People Magazine Investigates.

If you have any information about the murders of Carol Spinks, Darlenea Johnson, Brenda Crockett, Nina Moshe Yates, Brenda Woodard, or Diane Williams, contact the Metropolitan Police Department at 202-962-2121. For more information on the Freeway Phantom murders, we recommend checking out the coverage done by People Magazine Investigates.