Harrison Frank Graham, born in Philadelphia in 1959, was a prominent criminal who struggled with academic achievement and discipline. He dropped out of Olney High School after the tenth grade and was diagnosed with a mental condition in 1971. After relocating to North Philadelphia, he started drinking and taking drugs, mingling with pimps and prostitutes. Graham ran through the fire escape in 1987 when neighbors complained about a bad odor originating from his residence. Police discovered terrible scenes involving decaying bodies and drug use. Graham admitted to murdering seven women from mid-1986 to mid-1987 after sharing drugs during sexual encounters. Cynthia Brooks, Valerie Jamison, Mary Jeter Mathis, Barbara Mahoney, Robin DeShazor, Sandra Garvin, and Patricia Franklin were among those that perished. Graham was first condemned to death, but it was later commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The episode highlighted concerns about mental health treatment and societal neglect in disadvantaged areas.
“had to stay high all the time to ignore the birds eating a body outside my window.”
Harrison Graham. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Harrisburg, PA. January 2, 2025. Content unknown. SEALED.
Harrison Frank Graham
Classification: Serial killer
Characteristics: Mentally retarded drug abuser - Necrophilia
Number of victims: 7
Date of murders: 1986 - 1987
Date of arrest: August 17, 1987 (surrenders)
Date of birth: October 9, 1958
Victims profile: Female addicts
Method of murder: Strangulation
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Status: Sentenced to life imprisonment, followed by six electrocutions (to prevent parole) on May 1988. Deemed incompetent to be executed on December 20, 2003
Biography and Early Life
Harrison Frank “Marty” Graham was born on September 9, 1959, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the eldest of five children in his family. From an early age, Graham exhibited signs of intellectual disability and struggled with academic performance and discipline at school. He attended Olney High School but had to drop out after the 10th grade due to failing grades and chronic absences. His mother claimed that he was diagnosed with a mental disorder in 1971 and spent two years in a mental hospital or care facility; however, this claim has not been verified.
In the early 1970s, Graham entered the workforce, primarily working in various roles within the construction industry. By 1979, he moved out of his parents’ home into North Philadelphia, a neighborhood characterized by high levels of poverty and crime. During this time, he began drinking alcohol and using drugs while associating with pimps and prostitutes. Despite being described as tall and athletic, he was not known for violent behavior during this period and had no prior criminal record.
Criminal Activity
Graham rented an apartment in a housing complex that had many vacant units. Over the next four years, he transformed his apartment into a drug den where friends would gather to buy and use drugs like Ritalin. Although he maintained regular rent payments and engaged positively with local youth through basketball games, his lifestyle became increasingly chaotic.
In August 1987, neighbors began complaining about a foul odor emanating from Graham’s apartment. After repeated complaints were ignored by him, the landlord demanded that he vacate the premises. Graham responded by boarding up his front door before fleeing via the fire escape. When police were called to investigate after being denied entry by Graham, they discovered horrific scenes inside his apartment: multiple decomposed bodies of women along with evidence of drug use.
Arrest and Confession
After evading capture for some time while being spotted around public places such as fast food restaurants and shelters, Graham eventually surrendered to police on August 17, 1987. He confessed to murdering seven women between mid-1986 and mid-1987 after sharing drugs with them during sexual encounters. His first murder occurred at the end of 1986; one victim was killed because she discovered another body.
The investigation revealed that most victims had been dead for several months before their discovery; forensic examinations confirmed strangulation as the cause of death for two victims found shortly before police intervention.
The identified victims included:
Cynthia Brooks (27)
Valerie Jamison (25)
Mary Jeter Mathis (36)
Barbara Mahoney (22)
Robin DeShazor (29)
Sandra Garvin (33)
Patricia Franklin (24)
Graham’s relationship with DeShazor was noted as significant since she was one of his long-term girlfriends among those murdered.
Harrison Frank Graham, Jr. was presented as having three distinct personalities. “Frank” was a foul-mouthed drug addict and murderer; “Junior” was an unmanageable two-year-old who adored the Cookie Monster, and “Marty” was the likable handyman who had complied with the police.
Legal Proceedings
In 1988, Harrison Graham was found guilty on all charges related to these murders and initially sentenced to death; however, his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment without parole.
The case drew attention not only due to its gruesome nature but also because it highlighted issues surrounding mental health treatment and societal neglect regarding individuals living in impoverished conditions.
VIDEO: Harrison Graham: Under 70 IQ Serial Killer | https://youtu.be/ujqc7l0SASQ
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