In the winter of 1987, a wave of terror gripped the homeless community of Los Angeles as a man began a series of unprovoked and deadly attacks. Among his victims was Isaac Davis, a 58-year-old Black man. His life was taken on January 14, 1987, a day that saw the killer strike twice in a matter of hours, deepening the fear that had begun to spread through the city’s most vulnerable population.
The man responsible was Joseph Martin Danks, a 26-year-old drifter who had recently arrived from Michigan. Harboring a virulent hatred for the homeless, whom he called “dirty, filthy bums,” Danks began a violent spree in the Koreatown neighborhood. His method was sudden and brutal: approaching his victims from behind and stabbing them in the back with a large kitchen knife, using such force that death was nearly instantaneous.
The attacks began on January 6, 1987, with the murder of 40-year-old Christopher Michael Forsblade on Vermont Avenue. Eight days later, around noon on January 14, Danks targeted Isaac Davis. He attacked and killed him in the 900 block of South Menlo Avenue. Less than three hours after ending Davis's life, Danks murdered again. His third victim was 55-year-old John Charles Coble, who was fatally stabbed in the 2800 block of West 9th Street. The rapid succession of these two killings created a sense of urgency for the Los Angeles Police Department, which was investigating the string of similar homicides.
The investigation initially led police to another man, 34-year-old Christopher John Riegel, who was arrested as a suspect. However, the attacks continued. On January 16, Danks killed another homeless man, who was never identified, in the 3000 block of West 8th Street. The next day, he attempted to murder 64-year-old Almond Lord on South Kenmore Avenue. Lord fought back, forcing his attacker to flee, and was able to provide police with a description that helped create a composite sketch.
Danks's final attacks occurred on January 20. He first attempted to kill 58-year-old James Lyons on Manhattan Place. A few hours later, he fatally stabbed his last victim, another unidentified man, in an alley in the 300 block of South Western Avenue. This time, however, a witness saw the assault and bravely pursued Danks for five blocks before flagging down a police car. Cornered by officers, Danks surrendered without a fight, dropping the knife he had used.
At a press conference, LAPD Chief Daryl F. Gates announced the arrest. During interrogation, Danks confessed to the six murders and two attempted murders. He was booked at Parker Center, and Christopher Riegel was subsequently released. The knife Danks discarded was recovered and found to be consistent with the victims' wounds.
In December 1988, to avoid the death penalty, Joseph Danks pleaded guilty to the six murders. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 156 years. His violence did not end with his incarceration. In 1990, he murdered his 67-year-old cellmate, Walter Holt. For this crime, Danks was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death in April 1993. During his trial, he showed no remorse, stating he was "doing God's work." As of 2024, the case of Isaac Davis is considered closed, with his killer remaining on death row at San Quentin State Prison.
