The Classified Ads Rapist: Inside The Chilling Crimes And Final Execution Of Bobby Joe Long

The notorious case of Bobby Joe Long, a serial killer and rapist who terrorized the Tampa Bay Area of Florida in 1984, remains one of the most chilling chapters in American true crime history. His brutal eight-month spree of abductions, sexual assaults, and murders of at least 10 women cemented his place among the state's most vicious criminals. The final chapter of his life closed on May 23, 2019, when he was executed by lethal injection, a moment of justice long-awaited by the victims' families and, notably, witnessed by the one victim who survived his clutches.

As of the current date, December 12, 2025, the details surrounding Long's execution and the pivotal role of his survivor continue to be the most recent and compelling aspects of his story, offering a rare look at the culmination of a decades-long pursuit of justice. The case is a grim study in the psychology of a killer whose crimes were later linked to a disturbing background that included a service-related traumatic brain injury.

The Complete Biography and Profile of Robert Joseph Long

Bobby Joe Long, also known by his sinister moniker, "The Classified Ads Rapist," was an American serial killer and rapist whose crimes shocked the nation. His life was marked by a troubled past, military service, and a rapid descent into predatory violence.

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

• Full Name: Robert Joseph Long
• Alias: The Classified Ads Rapist
• Born: October 14, 1953, in Kenova, West Virginia
• Died: May 23, 2019 (Age 65), at Florida State Prison, Starke, Florida
• Cause of Death: Execution by lethal injection
• Known Victims: Confessed to the murders of 10 women (convicted in 8 cases) and the sexual assault of over 50 women.
• Crime Spree Period: May to November 1984 (Eight months)
• Primary Crime Location: Tampa Bay Area, Hillsborough County, Florida
• Key Entities in the Case: Lisa McVey (Sole Survivor), Cindy Brown (Ex-Wife), Governor Ron DeSantis (Signed Death Warrant)
• Background Detail: Vietnam veteran diagnosed with "Traumatic Brain Disease" (TBD) in 1980 due to service-related injuries, a factor later used in legal appeals.

The Chilling Eight-Month Spree of the Classified Ads Rapist

Long earned his dark nickname, "The Classified Ads Rapist," by using classified advertisements—primarily those for items like rental properties or cars—as a lure to ambush his victims. His crime spree began in the spring of 1984 and escalated quickly, turning from sexual assault to murder in the Tampa Bay Area. He targeted women, many of whom were sex workers, leaving a trail of bodies across Hillsborough County and surrounding areas.

The brutality of the crimes was compounded by the speed and frequency of the attacks. Over an eight-month period, Long abducted, sexually assaulted, and brutally murdered at least 10 women. The bodies were often discovered in remote, wooded areas, leading to a massive manhunt by the FBI and local law enforcement agencies. The terror gripped the Tampa Bay community, and the fear was palpable, especially among women working in the city's red-light districts.

The Known Victims of Bobby Joe Long's Murder Spree

While Bobby Joe Long confessed to the murders of 10 women, only a handful of the cases resulted in a death sentence, and the names of all 10 victims are not always listed in media reports. However, the victims whose lives were tragically cut short by Long's violence deserve remembrance. The known cases and victims include:

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

• Nany Lee English
• Vicki Ann Elliott
• Kimberly Hopps
• Michelle Denise Simms
• Elizabeth Loudenback
• Karen Dinsfriend
• Rhonda Kay Union
• Virginia Lee Johnson
• Chanel Williams
• Unnamed 10th Victim (Sources sometimes refer to a victim with the surname Swann)

Each murder was a devastating loss that left families and the entire community reeling from the senseless violence. The sheer volume of his crimes in such a short period highlighted the urgent need for his capture.

The Sole Survivor: Lisa McVey's Heroism and Role in Capture

The key to ending the reign of terror and bringing Bobby Joe Long to justice was the remarkable courage of a single survivor, 17-year-old Lisa McVey (now Lisa McVey Noland). In the early hours of November 3, 1984, Long abducted McVey from a doughnut shop parking lot in northern Tampa. Over the next 26 hours, she was held captive and repeatedly assaulted.

Displaying extraordinary presence of mind, McVey employed psychological tactics to convince Long to spare her life. She fabricated a story about her family, appealing to his supposed empathy and convincing him that she would not report the crime. Crucially, during her captivity, she memorized every detail she could: the smell of his car, the sound of his voice, the layout of his apartment, and the distinctive "E" on his car's rearview mirror.

• The Unseen Story Jessica Simpsons Battle For Privacy And Body Image In A Digital Age Mlvqa

Long released her, believing her assurances. Immediately, McVey went to the police and provided a detailed, photographic memory of her ordeal. Her testimony and the small clues she gathered—including the specific classified ad Long had placed for a house for rent—were instrumental in the investigation led by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Within days, law enforcement used her information to track Long down, finding him at a local laundromat. The classified ad he had placed was the final piece of evidence that led to his arrest and the cessation of his murder spree.

The Final Execution and The Traumatic Brain Injury Defense

Following his arrest, Bobby Joe Long was convicted and sentenced to death for one murder and received multiple life sentences for seven other murders and numerous rape charges. He spent over three decades on Florida's Death Row at Florida State Prison. Throughout his appeals process, his defense team frequently cited his background as a Vietnam veteran and his diagnosis of "Traumatic Brain Disease" (TBD) in 1980, arguing that his condition, combined with severe epilepsy, should be considered mitigating factors against the death penalty.

Despite these appeals, in April 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Long's death warrant, scheduling his execution. On May 23, 2019, Bobby Joe Long was executed by lethal injection.

In a powerful and poignant moment of final justice, Long's sole survivor, Lisa McVey Noland, was present to witness the execution. Her presence closed a nearly 35-year chapter for the families of the women Long murdered. Long’s final moments were reportedly silent, a stark contrast to the terror he inflicted. The execution served as a definitive end to one of the most horrifying serial killer cases in Florida's history, bringing a measure of closure to the Tampa Bay community and the families of the victims.