Lawrence Paul Mills III (born September 3, 1987) is an American serial killer who murdered two women, one of whom was pregnant, by running them over with his car in Detroit, Michigan, between October and December 2017. After being arrested on April 24, 2020, he was sentenced to 28–48 years in prison the following year.[1][2] He is also suspected of at least two other hit-and-runs, one of which was fatal.
Lawrence Mills | |
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| Born | Lawrence Paul Mills III September 3, 1987 Garden City, Michigan, U.S. |
| Years active | 2017 |
| Children | 1 |
| Conviction(s) |
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| Criminal penalty | 28–48 years in prison |
| Details | |
| Victims |
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| Country | United States |
| State(s) | Michigan |
| Weapon | 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer |
Date apprehended | April 24, 2020 |
| Imprisoned at | Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility |
Personal life
editLawrence Mills was born on September 3, 1987, in Garden City, Michigan.[2] A father of one, Mills frequently posted photos of him and his son on Facebook. He also worked at a pizza place in Allen Park.[3]
Murders
editMills' modus operandi consisted of soliciting prostitutes, engaging in sexual acts with them, and then running them over with his vehicle, a 2006 golden tan Chevy Trailblazer, to take his money back.[4][5] He would sometimes beat his victims before running them over.
The first victim was Melinda Salazar, a 34-year-old pregnant woman. At 3 a.m. on October 16, 2017, her body was discovered on a sidewalk of Southwest Detroit.[6] The second victim was 59-year-old Carrole Ann White, whose body was found at 3:45 a.m. on December 13, 2017.[3] She was face-down in the snow between the sidewalk and street of Campbell in Southwest Detroit.[7] Days later, Mills beat a 29-year-old pregnant woman and struck her several times with his car. However, the woman was able to get away and call police.[8]
Mills is also suspected of at least two other hit-and-runs. On March 17, 2017, a similar incident happened at about 4 a.m. near Michigan and St. James. The victim survived. He is also suspected in the death of Mary Penegor, a 32-year-old woman who was found dead on the same street as the other victims.[9] Investigators believe Mills may be responsible for several other attacks and murders, as he had the ability to frequently change vehicles and repair cars.[3]
Arrest
editAfter an investigation spanning several years, Mills was arrested on April 24, 2020.[10] Despite confessing to two murders, Mills pleaded not guilty to the charges he was accused of.[3] On November 17, 2021, Mills was sentenced to 28 – 48 years in prison after being found guilty of two counts of second degree murder and assault causing a miscarriage, stillbirth, or death. He is now imprisoned at the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Marini, Miriam (May 15, 2020). "Garden City man arrested in 2017 deaths of 2 sex workers". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Biographical Information - Lawrence Paul Mills III". Michigan Department of Corrections. December 1, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Man charged with fatally running down 2 women and driving over 3rd pregnant victim". FOX 2 Detroit. May 14, 2020. Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
- ^ Marquis, Erin (May 16, 2020). "This Might Be The First Serial Killer To Use A Car As The Murder Weapon". Jalopnik. Archived from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
- ^ "Kat wou mwen yo, oswa poukisa kèk vin tèlman atache ak machin yo" [Four wheels: Why some become so attached to their cars]. Psychology of life. June 16, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
- ^ "Garden City man faces arraignment in 2017 death of pregnant woman hit by car". Detroit Free Press. Associated Press. May 6, 2020. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
- ^ "Garden City man charged in 2017 homicide of Detroit woman". The Detroit News. April 26, 2020. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
- ^ Kelly, Dane (May 13, 2020). "Garden City man accused of deliberately, repeatedly striking pregnant woman in hit-and-run". WDIV. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
- ^ Dupnack, Jessica (May 16, 2020). "Serial hit and run suspect likely linked to more sex workers' deaths". FOX 2 Detroit. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
- ^ Ramirez, Charles E. (May 5, 2020). "Garden City man, 32, charged in second 2017 murder". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on September 14, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2022.