(NewsNation) — The FBI’s “Highway Serial Killings Initiative” links at least 850 murders in the United States over recent decades to long-haul truck drivers.
Frank Figliuzzi, a former FBI assistant director for counterintelligence, discussed on NewsNation’s “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” that many long-haul truckers, who spend extensive time on the road, are often potential suspects.
This FBI initiative identifies patterns among seemingly unrelated murders, particularly focusing on female victims. Many of these women were involved in prostitution or sex trafficking, picked up at truck stops, sexually assaulted, and subsequently murdered, with their bodies discarded in various locations.
“The FBI believes that these 850 murders are the actions of serial killers,” Figliuzzi stated. “Currently, there are 25 long-haul truck drivers incarcerated for multiple homicides.”
He also noted there are 200 unsolved murders and 450 suspects under investigation. “In my book, I aimed to narrow down the suspect pool by delving into the subcultures of long-haul truckers, sex trafficking victims, and crime analysis,” he shared, referencing his new book titled “Long Haul: Hunting the Highway Serial Killers.”
Figliuzzi dedicated a year to researching this subculture by driving over 2,000 miles in a semi-truck. He highlighted the isolating nature of truck driving, noting that 10% of long-haul truckers consume alcohol daily, 20% engage in binge drinking, and 44% suffer from clinical depression.
“Some of these killers, when questioned, reveal that they feel emboldened to kill since the job provides them with the freedom to exploit law enforcement jurisdictions,” added Figliuzzi, who has a 25-year history with the FBI. The Bureau acknowledges that while most truck drivers are diligent workers, the isolation and transient lifestyle of the profession may attract or even cultivate serial killers.
