Concerns About Serial Killers Among Long-Haul Truckers in the U.S.
The FBI initiated the Highway Serial Killings Initiative in 2009 after observing a concerning trend of murdered women, primarily those leading transient lives marked by drug abuse and prostitution, who were discovered along the Interstate 40 corridor spanning Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
Leveraging the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program, a national database that consolidates information about homicides, sexual assaults, missing persons, and unidentified remains, analysts compiled data on numerous victims and suspects, with many being long-haul truck drivers.
Frank Figliuzzi, a former FBI assistant director, published a book titled Long Haul: Hunting the Highway Serial Killers this year. He reveals that since 1980, around 850 murders have occurred on U.S. highways, with approximately 200 of those remaining unsolved.
Dominique Roe-Sepowitz, head of Arizona State University’s Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research, emphasizes that individuals most at risk of abduction or harm by serial killers are often those least visible to society. Many lack family connections and may be involved with traffickers.
While there are between 300,000 and 500,000 long-haul truckers in the U.S., most are dedicated professionals who contribute significantly to the supply chain. However, the transient lifestyle of truckers and the varied jurisdictions they traverse can lead to few witnesses, raising the likelihood of untraceable crimes against vulnerable individuals.
According to Figliuzzi, there are currently 25 long-haul truck drivers incarcerated for multiple murders, with incidents reported in the greater Cincinnati and Ohio regions. The initiative has reportedly resulted in the capture of multiple homicide suspects across the nation.
Though the FBI has terminated this initiative, supervisory special agent Richard J. Kolko did not provide details on its outcomes or reasons for its cessation. Roe-Sepowitz expressed that this program’s discontinuation reflects a broader issue of lack of visibility for vulnerable women and girls, stressing the necessity of tracking human trafficking effectively.
It’s important to note that most long-haul truckers are not involved in criminal activities. An organization called Truckers Against Trafficking has trained over 235,000 truck drivers to recognize and respond to human trafficking situations. “Truckers can be part of the solution,” said Roe-Sepowitz, highlighting the potential for them to aid in rescuing victims.
