The Terrifying Story of the Serial Killer in Gaffney, South Carolina

The City of Gaffney (population approximately 12,000) is located in Cherokee County and in close proximity to Interstate 85. Those who were living in Gaffney in the late 1960s undoubtedly remember the terror this small community felt when it was discovered that they had a serial killer among them.

It started in 1967, when the first victim was discovered. But at this point no one knew there was a serial killer in town. In fact, the first victim's husband was wrongly arrested, tried, convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison for her murder. (He was later released.)

But there were more victims to be discovered. And when the folks in Gaffney learned there was a serial killer afoot you can imagine it made for some high tension in the community.

Oddly enough, it was the killer himself who would give the police the evidence to find him.

Perhaps it was his ego that got in his way after someone got all the glory of a conviction for a crime he knew he'd committed.

Whatever his motivation, Lee Roy Martin, a.k.a. the Gaffney Strangler, picked up the phone and called the editor of The Gaffney Ledger and confessed to three killings — and even said the first one we mentioned above was among them and that the police had arrested and convicted the wrong man.

Oddly enough, The Gaffney Strangler called the editor of the The Gaffney News again four days later to say there would soon be more killings in Gaffney.

In total and in under a year, Martin would kill a total of four females before being arrested for his killing spree in Gaffney. His motives for each remain a mystery. Martin was killed by a fellow inmate after going to prison for his crimes.

Do you remember The Gaffney Strangler and the heinous crimes committed by this serial killer in South Carolina?

For more true crime in the Palmetto State, read about the lake whose tragic history will never be forgotten.

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The Story Of The Serial Killer Who Terrorized This Small South Carolina Town Is Truly Frightening

Robin Jarvis

Author

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