Bobby Joe Long was an American serial killer and rapist whose reign of terror in 1984 left an indelible mark on Florida. Over eight months, he abducted, sexually assaulted, and murdered at least ten women in the Tampa Bay area, earning him the monikers “The Classified Ad Rapist” and “The Adman Rapist.” His story is one of profound tragedy, both for the victims and for Long himself, who endured a traumatic childhood and a rare medical condition that shaped his troubled life.
Long’s capture was as remarkable as his crimes. A 17-year-old survivor, Lisa McVey, escaped after being held captive for 26 hours, providing crucial details that led to his arrest. He was sentenced to death in 1986 and spent over three decades on death row before being executed by lethal injection on May 23, 2019. This biography explores his troubled early life, his brutal crimes, his capture and trial, and his ultimate fate.
Quick Bio Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert Joseph Long |
| Known For | Serial killer, “The Classified Ad Rapist” |
| Profession | Serial Killer, Rapist |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Kenova, West Virginia, USA |
| Date of Birth | October 14, 1953 |
| Age | 65 (at time of death) |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Height | Not publicly available |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Spouse | Cynthia Barlett (m. 1974; div. 1980) |
| Children | Two |
| Education | Not publicly available |
| Victims | At least 10 murdered, over 50 raped |
| Date of Death | May 23, 2019 |
| Cause of Death | Execution by lethal injection |
Who Is Bobby Joe Long?
Bobby Joe Long is one of Florida’s most notorious serial killers. He was an American serial killer and rapist who terrorized the Tampa Bay area during an eight-month period in 1984. He abducted, sexually assaulted, and murdered at least ten women, and is believed to have raped more than 50 others. Long became known as the “Classified Ad Rapist” because he used newspaper advertisements for furniture and other items to find victims.
Long’s case is also notable for the bravery of his last victim, 17-year-old Lisa McVey, who escaped and provided vital information to police. He was sentenced to death and executed by lethal injection on May 23, 2019.
Early Life & Childhood
Bobby Joe Long was born on October 14, 1953, in Kenova, West Virginia, to Joe and Louetta Long. His parents split when he was a young boy, and he spent most of his childhood with his mother in Florida.
Long’s early years were marked by troubling incidents. He failed the first grade and was injured in several accidents. He was born with an extra X chromosome, also known as 47,XXY, a variant of Klinefelter syndrome. This condition resulted in excessive estrogen production and the development of female traits, such as breasts, which led to him being teased as a child. He underwent breast reduction surgery in adolescence. He also sustained multiple head injuries in various childhood accidents.
Long had a dysfunctional relationship with his mother, who worked in a bar and often brought different men home. He shared a bed with her until he was 12 or 13 years old, and he reportedly resented her multiple short-term boyfriends. This early environment likely contributed to his later hatred for women.
Age & Birthday
Bobby Joe Long was born on October 14, 1953. He was 65 years old at the time of his execution on May 23, 2019.
Parents & Family Background
Long’s parents were Joe and Louetta Long. His father, Joe, left the family when Bobby Joe was young. He was raised primarily by his mother, Louetta, a cocktail waitress. He had a dysfunctional relationship with her, which contributed to his hatred for women.
Education
There is no publicly available information about Bobby Joe Long’s formal education.
Career Journey
Bobby Joe Long did not have a legitimate career. He was a serial killer and rapist who used newspaper classified ads to find victims. His crimes escalated from rape to murder in 1984.
Major Achievements
Bobby Joe Long is not known for achievements, but for his crimes. These include:
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Raping Over 50 Women: Long is believed to have committed at least 50 rapes in Fort Lauderdale, Ocala, Miami, and Dade County.
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Murdering At Least Ten Women: He murdered women in the Tampa Bay area during an eight-month period in 1984.
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Earning the Moniker “The Classified Ad Rapist”: He used newspaper ads to find his victims.
Marriage & Relationships
Long married his high school girlfriend, Cynthia Barlett, in 1974. They had two children together. Around this time, Long was involved in a serious motorcycle accident and was hospitalized for several weeks. Cynthia later claimed that Long’s temperament changed following the accident, becoming increasingly violent and impatient. She filed for divorce in 1980.
Children
Bobby Joe Long had two children with his wife, Cynthia Barlett.
The Crimes: A Reign of Terror
Long’s crimes began as rapes in the early 1980s. He would scout out “For Sale” signs on houses and hunt through classified ads for furniture and other items, leading to an opportunity to enter an unsuspecting woman’s home and force himself on her. According to police, Long committed more than 50 rapes during this period.
The Murders
By the spring of 1984, Long had escalated to murder. He committed his first murder on March 27, 1984, when he picked up a young prostitute named Artis Wick, raped her, and then strangled her. He continued his spree, murdering at least nine more women.
Known Victims
| Name | Age | Date of Death |
|---|---|---|
| Artiss Ann Wick | 20 | March 27, 1984 |
| Ngeun Thi Long | 19 | May 13, 1984 |
| Michelle Denise Simms | 22 | May 27, 1984 |
| Linda Nuttall | N/A | Assaulted in May 1984; survived |
| Elizabeth Loudenback | 22 | June 8, 1984 |
| Vicky Marie Elliott | 21 | September 7, 1984 |
| Chanel Devoun Williams | 18 | October 7, 1984 |
| Karen Beth Dinsfriend | 28 | October 14, 1984 |
| Kimberly Kyle Hopps | 22 | October 31, 1984 |
| Virginia Lee Johnson | 18 | November 6, 1984 |
| Kim Marie Swann | 21 | November 11, 1984 |
Long also abducted and raped 17-year-old Lisa McVey on November 3, 1984, but she survived and escaped.
The Capture: A Brave Survivor
Long’s capture was due to the bravery of his last victim, 17-year-old Lisa McVey. On November 3, 1984, Long abducted McVey as she was cycling home from work. He held her captive for 26 hours, raping her repeatedly. During her captivity, McVey made sure to take mental notes of everything she could see and feel, including the shape and texture of Long’s face when she touched it. She also left traces of her DNA across his apartment, including strands of her hair and blood in his car.
When Long released her, McVey went to the police and provided a detailed description of her assailant and his car. On November 16, 1984, Long was arrested at a movie theater not far from his Tampa home.
The Trial and Sentencing
Long was sentenced to death in 1986 for the murder of Michelle Denise Simms. He was also sentenced to life for seven other murders. He was sentenced to death for two of the eight murders he was suspected of committing.
Long spent over three decades on death row. In April 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Long’s death warrant, the first death warrant signed by DeSantis since he took office.
Execution
Bobby Joe Long was executed by lethal injection on May 23, 2019, at Florida State Prison. He was pronounced dead at 6:55 p.m. He made no final statement.
Lisa McVey, the survivor who helped capture him, witnessed the execution from the front row of the public gallery. She said, “I wanted to be the first person he saw.”
The Legacy of Bobby Joe Long
Bobby Joe Long’s crimes had a lasting impact on the Tampa Bay area and on the criminal justice system. His case highlighted the dangers of sexual sadism and the importance of victim testimony in solving crimes.
Long’s story has been the subject of numerous documentaries and films, including the award-winning true-crime film Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey.
Key Takeaways
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Bobby Joe Long was a serial killer and rapist who terrorized the Tampa Bay area in 1984.
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He was born in West Virginia and had a troubled childhood, including a rare medical condition and a dysfunctional relationship with his mother.
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He committed at least 10 murders and is believed to have raped over 50 women.
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His capture was due to the bravery of 17-year-old Lisa McVey, who escaped and provided detailed information to police.
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He was sentenced to death in 1986 and executed by lethal injection on May 23, 2019.
FAQ Section
Who was Bobby Joe Long?
Bobby Joe Long was an American serial killer and rapist who murdered at least 10 women in the Tampa Bay area in 1984.
How many victims did Bobby Joe Long have?
Bobby Joe Long murdered at least 10 women and is believed to have raped over 50 women.
What was Bobby Joe Long’s nickname?
Bobby Joe Long was known as “The Classified Ad Rapist” and “The Adman Rapist” because he used newspaper ads to find victims.
How was Bobby Joe Long caught?
He was caught thanks to 17-year-old Lisa McVey, who escaped after being held captive for 26 hours and provided detailed information to police.
When was Bobby Joe Long executed?
Bobby Joe Long was executed by lethal injection on May 23, 2019, at Florida State Prison.
Why did Bobby Joe Long kill?
Long’s crimes were driven by a sadistic sexual obsession, likely exacerbated by childhood trauma, a motorcycle accident head injury, and a rare genetic condition.
Where is Bobby Joe Long buried?
There is no publicly available information about where Bobby Joe Long is buried.
Who survived Bobby Joe Long?
Lisa McVey survived after being abducted and held captive for 26 hours. She was 17 years old at the time.
What was Bobby Joe Long’s childhood like?
Long had a troubled childhood. His parents divorced, he had a dysfunctional relationship with his mother, and he suffered from a rare medical condition and head injuries.
What is the “Believe Me” film about?
Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey is a true-crime film that details the story of Lisa McVey’s abduction by Bobby Joe Long and her escape.
Conclusion
Bobby Joe Long’s story is one of profound tragedy and horror. From his troubled childhood to his brutal crimes and eventual execution, his life was marked by violence and suffering. His crimes devastated countless families and left a lasting scar on the Tampa Bay community.
Yet, his story also highlights the courage and resilience of his victims, particularly Lisa McVey, whose bravery led to his capture and ensured that he would never harm another woman. While Long’s name will forever be associated with terror, the legacy of his victims and survivors is one of strength and survival.
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