Michael Hubert Hughes

Serial Killer

Michael Hubert Hughes: Los Angeles Serial Killer

Background

Michael Hubert Hughes is an American serial killer convicted of murdering seven women and girls in Los Angeles County between 1986 and 1993. A former security guard, Hughes targeted vulnerable victims, including women living in difficult circumstances and a teenage student walking home from school. His crimes occurred during a period when several unrelated serial killers were operating in South Los Angeles. Because many of the victims were Black women whose bodies were abandoned outdoors, some of the murders were initially believed to be the work of a single unidentified offender known in the press as the "Southside Slayer." Hughes killed primarily by strangulation. The victims' bodies were left in parks, alleys, stairwells and commercial areas, where they were later discovered by students, workers or other passersby. He was arrested in December 1993 after investigators connected him to a group of killings committed during 1992 and 1993. Four additional older cases were examined years later with improved DNA technology.

Confirmed Victims

• Yvonne Coleman, 15 January 22, 1986 Inglewood, California: Coleman was a student at Morningside High School. She was reportedly traveling home when she was attacked and strangled. Her body was found in Imperial Park, near 118th Street and Yukon Avenue. DNA evidence later connected Hughes to her murder.
• Verna Patricia Williams, 36 May 26, 1986 Los Angeles, California: Williams was strangled and left in a stairwell at the 68th Street School in the 600 block of West 68th Street, in the Vermont-Slauson area. Students discovered her body. Investigators originally considered her one of the possible victims of the unidentified "Southside Slayer," but DNA testing later tied the crime to Hughes.
• Deborah Jackson, also known as Harriet McKinley, approximately 30 to 32 recorded death date December 1, 1987 Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles: Jackson's body was discovered on June 25, 1993, near a container outside a paint store close to Pico and Rimpau boulevards. Public homicide records list December 1, 1987, as her death date, despite the much later discovery date. DNA recovered from the case eventually connected Hughes to her killing.
• Teresa M. Ballard, approximately 26 to 27 September 23, 1992 Los Angeles, California: Ballard was found dead in Jesse Owens Park near Western Avenue and Century Boulevard in the Gramercy Park neighborhood. Her body was partially clothed. Hughes was convicted of her murder during his first trial.
• Brenda A. Bradley, approximately 37 to 38 October 5, 1992 Culver City, California: Bradley's partially clothed body was found in an alley near the eastern edge of Culver City. Authorities did not publicly identify a precise street address. Hughes was later convicted of strangling her.
• Terri Myles, reported as 33 November 8, 1993 Los Angeles, California: Myles was found killed in Jesse Owens Park, in the 9600 block of South Western Avenue in Gramercy Park. Local authorities reported that she was 33, although a state death index reportedly listed her age as 27. Hughes was convicted of her murder in 1998.
• Jamie Harrington, also identified as Jamille Harrington, 29 November 14, 1993 Culver City, California: Harrington was found dead in an alley in a commercial section of Culver City. Her murder occurred only six days after the discovery of Terri Myles. Hughes was convicted of killing Harrington during his first trial.

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Confirmed Victims: (7)

Yvonne Coleman Age: (15), Date of Death: January 22, 1986

SERIAL KILLER - Michael Hubert Hughes - Fruitloops: Serial Killers ...