Darren Deon Vann, also known as the “Gary Strangler,” preyed on vulnerable women in Gary, Indiana, luring them into deadly encounters that would eventually expose him as one of Indiana’s most chilling serial killers.
Between 2013 and 2014, Vann is confirmed to have murdered at least seven women, all found in various stages of decay in abandoned homes across Gary. The killer’s dark history of violence, sexual assault, and a dishonorable discharge from the Marine Corps paints a grim portrait of a man driven by rage and control. Arrested in 2014 following the murder of Afrikka Hardy, Vann’s confessions would lead police on a disturbing journey through his killing playground.
The Final Murder That Led to Vann’s Capture
Vann’s last known victim was 19-year-old Afrikka Hardy. On October 19, 2014, Vann strangled Hardy and left her body in the bathtub of a Motel 6 in Hammond, Indiana. Hardy, a local sex worker, had arranged to meet Vann after he responded to her ad on Backpage, a site commonly used by sex workers. After she failed to respond to messages, Hardy’s business partner checked her motel room and found her lifeless body surrounded by used condoms. Surveillance footage showed Vann entering the room, and his vehicle was identified outside the motel, making him an easy target for police.
His Violent MO: Strangulation and Abandonment in Decrepit Homes
While many serial killers establish distinctive methods of killing and disposing of bodies, Vann’s signature was particularly horrifying. He would strangle his victims, often using his hands, cords, or even the victims’ own jewelry. He then left their bodies in abandoned, derelict houses in Gary—often flophouses frequented by people who wouldn’t question the smell of decay. Among his victims was Tracey Martin, who was strangled with her own necklace and hidden in a bedroom closet. Her mummified remains were overlooked by police in an initial search, only to be discovered later.
Another victim, Kristine Williams, met her end over a $40 debt for crack cocaine. Vann found her after she was released from jail, strangled her, and abandoned her body in a basement, covered with a plastic drop cloth. By the time police found her, she was too decomposed to be identified without dental records.
Leading Police to the Bodies
After his arrest for Hardy’s murder, Vann confessed to killing six other women and led police to abandoned homes where he had left their bodies. This grim tour led investigators to discover the remains of Anith Jones, Teira Batey, Sonya Billingsley, Tanya Gatlin, and others. Despite leading police to the bodies, Vann maintained a plea of not guilty, leading to a complicated legal process. His trial was delayed until 2018, and during that time, he attempted to represent himself before eventually hiring an attorney.
A History of Crime and Violence
Vann’s violent tendencies were evident long before his killing spree. In 2004, he was arrested after beating a girlfriend and threatening to set fire to her residence. Later, he assaulted and raped a sex worker in Austin, Texas, for which he was sentenced to six years in prison. Despite this brutal history, Texas authorities deemed Vann a “low-risk” offender upon his release in 2013. However, within months of his return to Indiana, the murders began anew, suggesting a strong connection to the unsolved cases in the Gary area that date back to the 1990s.
Was Vann Responsible for More Murders?
Authorities believe Vann may have killed many more women. His movements align with numerous unsolved homicides involving sex workers in Gary, dating back to the early 1990s. These killings mysteriously stopped while Vann was in prison and resumed after his release in 2013. Thomas Hargrove, an expert who helped the FBI compile a database of unsolved homicides, noted that several unsolved murders fit Vann’s MO, suggesting he may have a much higher victim count than confirmed.
Troubling Patterns in His Past
Vann’s past includes not only criminal acts but also troubling relationships. In the 1990s, he was briefly married to an older woman, Maria, who was 29 years his senior. While she never suspected her husband’s lethal tendencies, Maria’s son described Vann as an odd, mumbling figure who would often visit rough areas alone, behavior that now raises questions about what he may have been doing during these solitary trips.
The Gary Strangler: An Ongoing Mystery
Despite his confessions and the recovery of his victims’ bodies, the true extent of Darren Deon Vann’s crimes may never be known. His release from prison in 2013 marked the beginning of a terrifying new wave of murders in Gary, echoing a pattern that authorities now believe may have spanned decades. For the families of his victims, the painful reality is that Vann’s life of violence and manipulation may have claimed more lives than they will ever know.
