Raymont Hopewell

Serial Killer

Raymont Hopewell: The Baltimore Serial Killer

Raymont Hopewell was an American serial killer and rapist who attacked older residents of Baltimore, Maryland, between 1999 and 2005. He was born in Baltimore on June 11, 1971, and was sometimes known by the nickname "Money." Hopewell ultimately admitted responsibility for five murders, four rapes, and several violent attacks on people who survived. His victims were generally elderly or disabled residents whom he encountered inside their homes or apartments. Hopewell's crimes were marked by home invasions, robbery, binding, sexual assault, beating, and strangulation or suffocation. In several cases, he appeared to use familiarity, conversation, or a connection to the neighborhood to approach a victim without immediately causing alarm. He then attacked after entering the residence. The crimes remained unconnected for years, allowing him to continue targeting vulnerable residents.

Background and Earlier Criminal Activity

Hopewell grew up near Baltimore's Gwynns Falls and Leakin Park area. He left high school during his sophomore year and later developed a serious heroin addiction. Before the murder investigation, he accumulated a criminal history that included theft, burglary, assault, drug possession, resisting arrest, and possession of drugs with the intent to distribute them. In 2001, Hopewell was arrested after attempting to sell cocaine to an undercover police officer. He was later placed on probation. In April 2004, he received an 18-month sentence for violating that probation. Although Maryland procedures should have resulted in the collection of a DNA sample, the sample was not obtained at that time. This missed opportunity later became important because DNA evidence eventually connected him to multiple murders and sexual assaults. Hopewell was transferred to a halfway house in 2004. On September 2, 2004, he failed to return after being allowed to leave the facility. He was reported as having walked away and was placed on a wanted list. During the following year, he committed a concentrated series of murders and attacks in Baltimore.

Confirmed Murder Victims

• Constance Wills, age 60 February 21, 1999 Ellamont Avenue, West Baltimore: Hopewell knew Wills through her family. He entered her home and attacked her in a bedroom. Her wrists were bound, and she was sexually assaulted, beaten, and strangled. Hopewell also stole property from the residence. Wills was discovered by her daughter and a neighbor. Her death was officially classified as a homicide shortly afterward.
• Sarah Shannon, age 88 November 30, 2002 Greenhill Apartments on Violet Avenue, North Baltimore: Shannon lived in an apartment complex intended for elderly and disabled residents. Hopewell was familiar with the building because his mother lived in an apartment near Shannon's. He entered Shannon's bedroom, sexually assaulted her, strangled her, and stole valuables. A relative discovered her after she stopped answering telephone calls.
• Sadie L. Mack, age 78 May 27, 2005 Sandtown, West Baltimore: Mack was attacked inside her apartment. Hopewell bound her hands with a shoestring, sexually assaulted her, and strangled her. Her son found her body. Mack's published death notice records May 27, 2005, as her date of death, although a number of later crime summaries identify May 31 as the date of the attack or discovery.
• Carlton Crawford, age 82 August 21, 2005 Baltimore, Maryland: Crawford was deaf and disabled. Hopewell entered his apartment, tied his ankles, and severely beat him. Neighbors heard loud noises and contacted a security guard. When the guard knocked, Hopewell answered the door and claimed that Crawford had fallen. He refused to allow the guard inside and fled when police were summoned. Officers entered the apartment and found Crawford dead.
• Lydia Rowena Wingfield, age 78 August 31, 2005 Windsor Hills, West Baltimore: Hopewell approached Wingfield's house and introduced himself as "Money." He claimed that he had known her son, Jerrold Wingfield, during childhood but would not provide his real name. Wingfield telephoned her son and told him about the unusual visitor. Hopewell later returned, entered the house, bound Wingfield, sexually assaulted her, and strangled her. Her son subsequently found her body.

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Confirmed Victims: (5)

Constance Wills Age: (60), Date of Death: 1999-02-21

Raymont Hopewell