'Serial killer' charged over cold-case murders of three prostitutes after almost 50 years

A suspected serial killer has been charged with the murders of three prostitutes who were all strangled to death with their own underwear nearly 50 years ago.

Warren Luther Alexander, 73, of Diamondhead, Mississippi, faces allegations of multiple first-degree murders in southern California, prosecutors said on Wednesday.

He was extradited on Tuesday from Surry County, North Carolina, where he was awaiting prosecution in connection with a 1992 homicide, according to a press release.

The cold case unit of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department started re-examining the killings of Kimberly Carol Fritz, 18, Velvet Ann Sanchez, 31, and Lorraine Ann Rodriguez, 21.

All of their deaths took place over the span of seven months in three different jurisdictions of Ventura County, including Port Hueneme, Oxnard and Ventura.

Warren Luther Alexander, of Diamondhead, Mississippi, is extradited from North Carolina

The 73-year-old has been charged with the murders of three prostitutes who were all strangled to death with their own underwear in 1977

While the exact circumstances surrounding their deaths were not disclosed, an article published in 1978 in the Utah publication stated they were strangled with their own underwear.

The DA's office revealed that 'DNA evidence was collected from the crime scenes and the victims'.

Authorities did not reveal what led them to identify Alexander as a suspect, but a news conference will be held on Thursday. 

In all three cases an autopsy revealed that the cause of death was strangulation.

Alexander made his first appearance in Ventura County Superior Court Wednesday, but his arraignment was continued to August 21. He is being held without bail.

In 2022, the 73-year-old was taken into custody for the 1992 murder of Nona Stamey Cobb, who was found on the side of Interstate 77 in Surry County, N.C. 

All of the deaths took place over the span of seven months in three different jurisdictions of Ventura County in California. Pictured: Los Angeles in 1968

The locations of the deaths were Port Hueneme, Oxnard and Ventura. Pictured: Los Angeles in 1975