The Eastbound Strangler in Atalntic City New Jersey

Atlantic City, New Jersey—a place known for its bustling casinos, vibrant nightlife, and boardwalk charm—was also the backdrop for a chilling unsolved crime. In November 2006, the bodies of four women were discovered in a drainage ditch behind the Golden Key Motel, all eerily positioned in the same way. This haunting discovery marked the beginning of one of the most baffling serial killer mysteries in modern American history.

Despite multiple investigations and theories, the perpetrator—now referred to as the Eastbound Strangler—has never been identified. This article dives deep into the case, the victims, the investigation, and the lingering questions that haunt Atlantic City to this day.

The Discovery of the Victims

On November 20, 2006, a local passerby walking near the Golden Key Motel made a shocking discovery—four decomposing bodies lying in a drainage ditch about sixty feet apart from each other.

Each woman was positioned in the same manner:

• Face down
• Fully clothed, except for their shoes and socks, which had been removed
• All facing east, leading to the killer’s infamous nickname—the Eastbound Strangler

It was immediately clear that these were not accidental deaths or random acts of violence. This was the work of a serial killer.

Who Were the Victims?

The four women discovered behind the Golden Key Motel were later identified as sex workers, a common target for serial killers due to their vulnerable social status.

Kim Raffo (35 years old)

• Originally from Brooklyn, New York
• A former waitress and mother of two
• Moved to Florida before struggling with drug addiction
• Last seen alive the day before the bodies were discovered
• Cause of death: Strangulation with a rope or cord

Barbara Breidor (42 years old)

• Longtime resident of Atlantic City
• Known to struggle with drug addiction
• Went missing in October 2006, weeks before the bodies were found
• Her body was too decomposed to determine an exact cause of death

Molly Jean Dilts (20 years old)

• Originally from Black Lick, Pennsylvania
• The youngest victim, with no known history of sex work
• Left home to start a new life but became homeless
• Cause of death undetermined due to decomposition

Tracy Ann Roberts (23 years old)

• A former erotic dancer from Delaware
• Had previously survived a violent attack
• Last seen alive in early November 2006
• Cause of death: Asphyxiation

Each of these women had been lured into dangerous circumstances due to poverty, homelessness, and addiction—factors that made them easy targets for predators.

The Crime Scene: A Killer’s Signature?

Investigators noticed disturbing similarities in the way the victims were arranged. Their bodies were lined up in a row, spaced evenly apart, and all facing the same direction—east.

Several questions arose from these findings:

• Why did the killer remove their shoes and socks?
  • Some experts theorized it was ritualistic, or the killer took them as “trophies.”
  • Others believe it was a way to prevent forensic evidence from being traced.
• Why were they fully clothed?
  • Unlike many serial killers who sexually assault their victims, the Eastbound Strangler appeared to kill without undressing them.
• Why did the killer stop?
  • If this was a serial offender, why did the killings suddenly cease after November 2006?

Despite the chilling nature of the crime, very little forensic evidence was left behind, making it almost impossible to identify a suspect.

The Investigation: Dead Ends and Theories

From the beginning, local law enforcement and the FBI launched a major investigation into the case, interviewing dozens of people connected to the victims.

Key Suspects

One of the first persons of interest was Terry Oleson, a handyman staying at the Golden Key Motel at the time of the murders.

• He had ties to the area and was known for suspicious behavior.
• He was questioned extensively, but no charges were filed.

Another theory suggested the Eastbound Strangler could be connected to the Long Island Serial Killer (LISK), who terrorized the Gilgo Beach area in New York.

• In 2010, authorities examined possible links, as both cases involved the murder of sex workers and the careful placement of bodies.
• However, investigators ultimately ruled out a connection.

Despite these theories, no arrests have ever been made.

Why Hasn’t the Case Been Solved?

Several factors have contributed to the lack of progress in identifying the Eastbound Strangler:

1. The Victims’ Vulnerable Lifestyles

• Many sex workers operate under aliases, making it difficult to track their last known whereabouts.
• Their frequent movements between states made it challenging for police to piece together a timeline.

2. Lack of Forensic Evidence

• The decomposition of the bodies erased crucial forensic clues.
• The killer may have worn gloves, preventing fingerprints from being left behind.

3. The Possibility That the Killer Was a Transient

• Some experts believe the killer may have been a truck driver or drifter, someone who moved from place to place, making it harder for law enforcement to track his actions.

4. The “Phantom” Factor

• No eyewitnesses have ever come forward.
• No security footage captured a suspect.
• No fingerprints or DNA have tied anyone to the crime.

It’s almost as if the Eastbound Strangler vanished into thin air after the killings.

Could the Case Still Be Solved?

Even after 18 years, authorities haven’t given up on solving the case. Recent advancements in forensic DNA testing have helped crack other long-unsolved murders, and there is hope that the same could happen for the Eastbound Strangler case.

The Role of the Public

A $25,000 reward has been offered for any credible information leading to an arrest. Investigators continue to urge anyone with knowledge of the case to come forward.

If someone recognizes a pattern, remembers suspicious activity, or has any detail, no matter how small, it could break open the case.

The Lingering Mystery of Atlantic City’s Serial Killer

The Eastbound Strangler remains one of the most haunting unsolved serial murder cases in America. The arrangement of the bodies, the lack of evidence, and the killer’s sudden disappearance leave behind more questions than answers.

But one thing remains certain:
Until the Eastbound Strangler is identified, the streets of Atlantic City will always carry the shadow of an unseen predator.