Born on January 20, 1959 Joel David Rifkin is an American serial killer who was sentenced to 203 years in prison for the murder of nine women between 1989 and 1993, though it is believed he killed as many as 17 people.

He was adopted at 3 weeks-old by a couple living on Long Island. Due to learning disabilities he did poorly in school, he finally graduated from East Meadow High School in 1977. He attended college classes however dropped out and became a self-employed landscaper.

He was arrested on August 22, 1987 for offering an undercover female officer money for sex.

Heidi Balch was his first victim on February 20, 1989

Heidi was 25 years old when she disappeared, her remains were found on March 5, 1989 though police did not have DNA to identify her at the time. Joel Rifkin dismembered her body, removing her teeth and fingerprints. He placed her head in a pant can which was left on a golf course in Hopewell, New Jersey where it was found by authorities. On April 8, 1989 her legs were found in Pequonnock Creek near Jefferson Township. Heidi was finally identified in 2013.

Julie Blackbird was 28 when she died in 1990. Her remains have never been found.

Barbara Jacobs was 31 when she died in 1991. Joel Rifkin beat her with a table leg and disposed of her body in the Hudson River, she was discovered a few hours later but her death was blamed on a drug overdose.

Yun Lee was 31 when she died, her remains were found in the East River on September 23, 1991

Mary Ellen De Luca was 22 when she died, her remains were found in 1991 but she would not be identified until July 1993

Anna Lopez was 33 when she died, her remains were found in May 1992 off Interstate 84 in Putnam County.

Violet O’Neil was 21 when she died, her remains were discovered in the Harlem River in July 1992 and were identified in September 1993

Maryann Hollomon was 39 when she died, her remains were discovered in the Coney Island Creek in July 1992

Lorraine Orvieto was 23 when she died, her remains were discovered in July 1992 in the Coney Island Creek. She was identified in July 1993

Jenny Soto was 23 when she died, her remains were found on the shores of Harlem River in November 1992

Mary Catherine Williams was 31 when she died, her remains were found in December 1992. She was identified in July 1993

Leah Evens was 28 when she died, her body was found in May 1993

Iris Sanchez was 25 when she died, her remains were found in June 1993

Lauren Marquez was 28 when she died, her remains were found in June 1993. She was identified in August 1993

Tiffany Bresciani was 22 when she died, her remains were found in June 1993 in the bed of Joel Rifkin’s truck. She was his last victim and the reason he was finally caught.

He was found guilty of nine counts of second-degree murder in 1994 and sentenced to 203 years in prison. He is still incarcerated to this day.

Thank you for reading and stay safe!