History of Bobby Joe Long in Timeline

"Bobby Joe" Long was an American serial killer and rapist executed in Florida for the murder of Michelle Denise Simms. For eight months in 1984, he terrorized the Tampa Bay area, kidnapping, sexually assaulting, and killing at least ten women. His reign of terror ended when he released 17-year-old Lisa McVey, who provided crucial information to the police, leading to his arrest.

October 14, 1953: Birth of Bobby Joe Long

On October 14, 1953, Bobby Joe Long was born. He would later become a serial killer and rapist, terrorizing the Tampa Bay area in Florida.

1974: Marriage to High School Girlfriend

Bobby Joe Long married his high school girlfriend in 1974. The couple had two children together.

1978: Use of 1978 Dodge Magnum in Crimes

Bobby Joe Long used his 1978 Dodge Magnum to commit some of his crimes, persuading women to enter the vehicle where he would then rape and torture them.

1980: Divorce from Wife

After six years of marriage, Bobby Joe Long's wife filed for divorce in 1980.

1981: Crimes as the "Classified Ad Rapist" and Rape Conviction

Starting around 1981, Bobby Joe Long committed at least 50 rapes in Florida. Known as the "Classified Ad Rapist," he contacted women through classified ads, then raped and robbed them. He was tried and convicted for rape in 1981, but the charges were later dropped after he requested a new trial.

1983: Move to Tampa Bay Area

Bobby Joe Long moved to the Tampa Bay area in 1983, where he would later begin his murder spree.

November 3, 1984: Abduction and Release of Lisa McVey

In the early hours of November 3, 1984, Bobby Joe Long abducted 17-year-old Lisa McVey. He took her to his home, where he repeatedly raped her. After 26 hours, he released her.

November 16, 1984: Arrest of Bobby Joe Long

On November 16, 1984, acting on information provided by Lisa McVey, police arrested Bobby Joe Long. He was linked to the murders through red carpet fibers found on several victims' bodies.

November 22, 1984: Discovery of Artiss Wick's Body

On November 22, 1984, the body of Artiss "Ann" Wick, a 20-year-old woman who had been raped and strangled, was found in a rural area. Wick was later identified as one of Bobby Joe Long's victims.

1984: Eight-Month Murder Spree in Tampa Bay

During an eight-month period in 1984, Bobby Joe Long abducted, sexually assaulted, and murdered at least ten women in the Tampa Bay area in Florida.

September 24, 1985: Plea Bargain and Guilty Plea

On September 24, 1985, Long accepted a plea bargain and pleaded guilty to eight homicides, the abduction of Lisa McVey, and multiple counts of sexual assault. He received 26 life sentences without the possibility of parole for these crimes.

1985: Death Penalty Imposed

In early 1985, Bobby Joe Long was sentenced to death. Although he had confessed to raping and killing women, his confession was thrown out, and his trial proceeded straight to the penalty phase.

July 1986: Death Sentence for Murder of Michelle Simms

In July 1986, Bobby Joe Long was found guilty of the murder of Michelle Denise Simms. He was sentenced to death in Florida by lethal injection.

January 2019: Ron DeSantis Takes Office as Florida Governor

Ron DeSantis took office as the Governor of Florida in January 2019. He would later sign Bobby Joe Long's death warrant.

April 23, 2019: Death Warrant Signed

On April 23, 2019, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Bobby Joe Long's death warrant. This was the first death warrant DeSantis had signed since taking office in January 2019.