Cold Case Files: "The Grim Sleeper, Part 2"

Release Date: January 6, 2026
Host: Paula Barros (A&E / PodcastOne)
Episode Focus: The decades-long hunt for Los Angeles serial killer "The Grim Sleeper," his eventual capture, and the community’s fight for justice for his many victims.

Overview

This episode concludes the harrowing story of the Grim Sleeper, a serial killer who preyed on women—primarily women of color—in South Central Los Angeles from the 1980s to the 2000s. Using first-hand survivor accounts, interviews with detectives, family members of victims, community members, and journalists, the episode traces the mammoth cold case investigation, the social circumstances that enabled the killer, and the emotional toll on the victims' families and neighborhoods. The narrative emphasizes the failures of the justice system, the transformative power of DNA technology, and the resilience of the community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Victim’s Experience and Case Going Cold

• Enietria Washington’s Survival: Enietria survived a brutal attack in 1988 that marked the apparent end of the Grim Sleeper's early killing spree. After her attack, she describes feeling abandoned by the system and traumatized by her experience.
  • Quote: "I deserve to go after him. You did this to me. Why can't you put me in a room? We go one on one." – Enietria Washington ([00:57])
• After reporting a sighting of her attacker, Enietria’s hopes for justice are dashed as she fails to identify him among police photos. Feelings of frustration and neglect by law enforcement are clear.
  • Quote: “Years and years went by and the case went cold. I was really pissed off. They weren't really looking. …This is a black person. We don't care.” – Enietria Washington ([02:56])

2. Breakthroughs in the Investigation & DNA Technology

• Cold Case Unit Reopens File: In 2004, detectives like Cliff Shepherd revisit the case, using new DNA techniques to link three 1980s victims to the same killer; however, the DNA doesn’t match anyone in the system ([03:38]–[04:20]).
• Unexpected Cold Hit: The same DNA is linked to a 2003 murder, disproving the assumption the killer stopped and revealing that he was still active ([04:50]).
  • Quote: "Everyone assumed that the guy stopped back in the 80s, but this guy was... still active after 16 years." – Detective ([04:50])
• Youngest Victim Identified: 15-year-old Princess Bartholomew’s story is shared in detail, bringing a new, tragic focus to the case ([06:11]–[08:09]). Her earlier life of horrific abuse and then stability in a loving foster home is recounted by family.

3. Victims’ Lives and Community Impact

• Princess Bartholomew’s Story: Princess’s early rescue from abuse, years in a caring foster home, and ultimate loss after being placed in a new foster system are recounted by her sister Samara Harad ([06:11]).
  • Quote: "Her own biological father was pimping her out." – Samara ([06:11])
• The episode memorializes the victims’ humanity and highlights the pain their loss brought:
  • Quote: “There is no greater pain than the loss of a child. It's just. There's no comparison…” – Janisha Peters’s relative ([12:45])
• Pamela Brooks’ Narrow Escape: Pam, a sex worker, recounts a chilling encounter with the killer and her lucky escape ([09:44]–[12:24]).
  • Quote: "I'm lucky that he didn't shoot me, because I didn't do nothing he wanted me to do. Damn. I made it out to rapture." – Pamela Brooks ([12:06])

4. Renewed Investigative Efforts and Public Awareness

• Detectives Push for a Task Force: After media reports and community agitation, the LAPD forms a task force as family members stress the importance of public awareness ([15:47], [16:08]).
  • Quote: "If this would have been in the white area, we would have flooded the area with cops and detectives and everything else. We have to have a task force." – Investigator ([16:08])
• Community’s Pain and Frustration: Family members express anger that police considered the cases "NHI"—no human involved ([18:57]).
  • Quote: "I don't care what mistakes you make in life, it doesn't make your life any less valuable." – Victim’s relative ([18:57])
  • Quote: "They thought of us as just crackheads, but we still was humans. We still had a mother." – Pamela Brooks ([19:16])

5. Key Investigative Breakthroughs: The DNA Family Search

• The Use of Familial DNA: After years of dead ends, investigators use familial DNA, leading to a key break via the killer’s son’s DNA ([21:07]–[22:14]).
  • Quote: "They're basically looking for a relative, like a cousin, a brother, an uncle who is related to the killer..." – Detective ([21:07])
• Surveillance and Arrest: The police surveil Lonnie Franklin Jr., eventually nabbing his DNA from a pizza parlor, sealing the case ([23:38]–[24:24]).
  • Quote: "On day three, we get the call, this is him. It's a match. The DNA from all the victims match him." – Detective ([24:01])
• Physical Evidence: Weapons, women’s undergarments, stolen car parts, and hundreds of photographs are found at Franklin’s home ([24:24]–[25:54]).
  • Quote: "We continued digging and uncovering hundreds of photographs… some appeared as though they might have been dead. Were we looking at actual victims?" – Narrator ([25:54])

6. Trial, Justice, and Reflection

• Trial and Sentencing: Franklin is found guilty of ten murders and the attempted murder of Enietria Washington ([31:11]). Judge Kennedy imposes the death penalty.
  • Quote: "I can't think of anyone... that has committed the kind of monstrous and the number of monstrous crimes that you have." – Judge Kennedy ([31:55])
• Lack of Closure but Community Healing: While family and survivors express relief at justice, the pain and systemic issues linger.
  • Quote: "There's no closure. I will never get past what he did. I felt just relief that no one else would have to go through this. Justice was served today, and I'm so eternally grateful." – Family Member ([32:31])

7. Legacy, Community, and Forgiveness

• Community Bonds: Years later, victims’ families and survivors gather, sharing support and resilience.
  • Quote: "We bonded. Everybody's family." – Victim’s relative ([33:12])
  • Quote: "Unfortunately, people of color have had so many issues being represented. This would not have happened and gone this long had it been others." – Relative ([33:29])
• Messages of Forgiveness and Strength:
  • Quote: "You know, forgiveness is for you. It's not for him." – Community Member ([34:09])
  • Quote: "I won't forget. But I do forgive you because I know that you'll have a higher answering." – Family Member ([34:17])
• Franklin Dies in Prison: Lonnie Franklin died in a death row cell in March 2020 ([34:30]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He would victimize them and then just discards their body in alleys like they're trash. He is a monster.” – Detective ([00:44])
• "He mastered that image real good." – Community Member describing Franklin's double life ([27:26])
• "Why are you killing black women?" – Community Member, confronting broader issues ([27:41])
• “Justice was served today, and I'm so eternally grateful.” – Relative ([32:31])
• “I get up, and the first thing I say is, thank you, Father God. I am resilient.” – Enietria Washington ([34:56])

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:32 – What makes the Grim Sleeper case unique; intro to serial's timeline
• 01:35 – Enietria Washington’s survival, aftermath, and failed ID of attacker
• 03:38 – LAPD cold case unit begins re-investigation using DNA
• 04:33 – Discovery of DNA break linking old and new murders
• 06:11 – Princess Bartholomew's early life and tragic fate
• 09:44–12:24 – Pam Brooks’ close escape and reflection of life on the streets
• 15:11–16:25 – Community organizing and pressure for LAPD task force
• 18:57 – Discussion on "No Human Involved" and prejudice in investigation
• 21:07 – Introduction and impact of familial DNA matching
• 23:38–25:54 – Surveillance, arrest, and chilling evidence at Franklin’s house
• 31:11 – Jury verdict and sentencing
• 32:45–35:12 – Aftermath: family healing, resilience, and forgiveness

Tone & Language

Throughout, the podcast maintains a respectful, direct, and sometimes raw tone, peppered with survivor testimony and frank detective assessment. The language—especially from survivors and family members—is heartfelt, sometimes bitter, but often focused on survival, community, and justice.

Conclusion

By episode’s end, listeners fully grasp both the devastation wrought by Franklin’s crimes and the resilience of those left behind. Systemic neglect, the slow march of justice, and the tireless advocacy of families and community members are highlighted as powerful forces in finally closing one of America’s most infamous cold cases. The message is one of cautious hope—justice is possible, but only when all victims’ lives are valued.