The Grim Sleeper, whose real name is Lonnie Franklin Jr. is the subject of A&E’s Cold Case Files: The Grim Sleeper, which will debut on November 8, 2024. There have been horrible murders in South Central Los Angeles for more than twenty years and the two-hour special is all about them. Many of Franklin’s victims were African American women who worked as prostitutes. They were killed brutally and their bodies were left in the streets. As the police searched for clues, more people were killed until advances in DNA technology helped catch the killer.
Franklin killed dozens of people but one woman—Enietra Washington— managed to get away. Her story is about how she beat the odds to stay alive and how she learned to be brave and do what’s right. In Cold Case Files: The Grim Sleeper, Washington is the only person who lived through Franklin’s killing spree and her testimony was a big part of why he was found guilty.
Enietra Washington’s Survival Story
Enietra Washington was born in Hollywood, California — in the early 1960s. She grew up in South Los Angeles and then went to college in New Orleans. She was a mother of two and lived in her hometown in the late 1980s. Her life would never be the same again after the night of November 19, 1988. Franklin came up to Washington as she was walking to a friend’s house and offered to give her a ride in his —orange Ford Pinto. At first, she said no but after feeling bad for him, she said yes. She made a choice that almost killed her.
Franklin was a serial killer but she didn’t know it. He shot her in the chest out of the blue as they drove to a dark alley and then pushed her out of the car, leaving her for dead. Besides that, he sexually assaulted her and took a picture of her before leaving her. Even though the gunshot happened close, the bullet missed her internal organs and bounced off her ribs and sternum. After being taken to the hospital right away, she lived through three weeks of treatment for her injuries.
Washington was the only person known to have lived through the killings by the Grim Sleeper and her testimony was very important in catching and convicting Franklin.
Enietra Washington and the Fight for Justice
In 2010, DNA evidence helped police find Lonnie Franklin Jr. He was then arrested and charged with killing several people. In 2016, Washington faced the man who had almost killed her on the stand during his trial. She was very brave to talk to Franklin directly and say: “You are truly a piece of evil.” She told him, “You’re on par with Manson.” Her words showed that Franklin’s actions had scared her and broken the trust and respect she had for her community.
Franklin was found guilty because of her strong testimony and the other evidence that was presented. Took part in the murders and tried to kill Enietra Washington, so he was given the death penalty in 2016.
Enietra Washington: Where is She Now?
Enietra Washington’s life now is very different from the bad times she went through in the past. She is proud to be the mother of three kids and the grandmother of two. She lives in Los Angeles. Even though she went through terrible things, she stays close to her family, who love and support her.
Before becoming an EMT, Washington worked as a certified pharmacy technician, a certified nurse assistant, a private duty caregiver and a certified pharmacy technician. She has a satisfying job where she helps other people with her knowledge.
Washington loves being with the people she cares about and singing her favorite songs when she’s not working. She has also been in a number of documentaries where she has told her story and continued to bring attention to the crimes of the Grim Sleeper.
People who saw her on Cold Case Files: The Grim Sleeper will probably feel very strongly about hearing from a survivor who helped catch one of the most notorious serial killers in Los Angeles history. Washington’s story is one of amazing strength and the fact that she lived shows how strong the human spirit is.
Now that the past is over, Enietra Washington lives a peaceful life with her family and a renewed sense of safety. She continues to be an inspiration to many because she shows that there is hope and healing even in the worst situations.
For more detailed recaps, visit otavo.tv.
