The Classified Ads Killer: Inside The Final Days And Twisted Crimes Of Robert 'Bobby Joe' Long

The name Robert "Bobby Joe" Long remains a chilling footnote in the history of American serial crime, a man whose brief but brutal 1984 murder spree terrorized the Tampa Bay area of Florida. While there are no new updates on Long's legal status—as he was executed by lethal injection on May 23, 2019—the details of his heinous crimes, his capture by a courageous 17-year-old survivor, and his journey to Florida’s Death Row continue to be dissected in true crime circles to this day. This article serves as a deep dive into the life, methods, and final moments of the man known infamously as the "Classified Ads Rapist," providing the most comprehensive and updated account of a case that spanned over three decades.

The finality of his execution in 2019, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, closed a long chapter for the families of his victims, who had waited over 34 years for justice. Long confessed to murdering 10 women during his eight-month reign of terror, but his criminal history, including dozens of rapes, stretched back years earlier, revealing a pattern of escalating violence that made him one of Florida's most notorious killers. The key to ending his spree was not a massive police operation, but the extraordinary bravery of a single teenage victim who lived to tell her story.

Robert 'Bobby Joe' Long: A Profile of a Killer

Robert Joseph Long, known by his nickname Bobby Joe, was an American serial killer and rapist whose horrific crimes took place primarily in the Tampa Bay and Hillsborough County areas of Florida.

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• Full Name: Robert Joseph Long
• Alias: Bobby Joe Long, The Classified Ads Rapist
• Date of Birth: October 14, 1953
• Date of Death: May 23, 2019
• Place of Birth: Kenova, West Virginia
• Spouse: Cindy Brown (Ex-wife)
• Background: Mentally ill Vietnam veteran diagnosed with service-related traumatic brain injuries.
• Crimes: Serial murder and rape of at least 10 women.
• Method of Execution: Lethal Injection at Florida State Prison, Starke, FL.

Long's early life was marked by trauma, including a serious motorcycle accident that reportedly caused a traumatic brain injury, a detail his defense team later used in unsuccessful appeals to delay his execution. He was a Vietnam veteran and had a history of sexual violence that predated his 1984 murder spree. His ex-wife, Cindy Brown, later recalled the decision to divorce him, noting the darkness that surrounded him even before his most notorious crimes.

The Reign of Terror: The Classified Ads Rapist Modus Operandi

The moniker "The Classified Ads Rapist" was given to Long by investigators attempting to solve the dozens of sexual batteries and rapes that occurred in the Miami, Ocala, and Fort Lauderdale areas between 1980 and 1983. Long's chilling method involved meticulously scanning newspaper classified ads, often targeting women who were selling items or offering services.

In 1984, his crimes escalated from rape to murder, plunging the Tampa Bay area into a state of panic. Over an eight-month period, Long abducted, sexually assaulted, and brutally murdered at least 10 women. The victims were often found dumped in remote areas, bound and gagged, leaving law enforcement struggling to connect the seemingly disparate cases.

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The Confirmed Victims of Robert Joe Long

Long was ultimately convicted for the murder of Michelle Simms, which was the crime for which he was executed. However, he confessed to the murder of nine others. The sheer number of victims and the brutality of the attacks solidified his place as one of the most feared serial killers of the era. The women whose lives were tragically cut short include:

• Michelle Simms, 22
• Artiss Ann Wick, 20
• Ngeun Thi Long (no relation)
• Vicki Lee Elliott, 21
• Rhonda Kay Union, 21
• Kim Marie Swann, 21
• Karen Ann Dinsfriend, 28
• Kimberly Hopps, 22
• Elizabeth Loudenback, 21
• Dawn Wilson, 18

These women, many of them young and working in the Tampa area, became the focus of a massive law enforcement manhunt as the body count rose throughout the summer and fall of 1984.

The Survivor: Lisa McVey and Long's Sudden Capture

The end of Bobby Joe Long’s murder spree came not through forensic science or a massive dragnet, but through the remarkable courage and quick thinking of a 17-year-old victim named Lisa McVey (now Lisa Noland).

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In November 1984, Long abducted McVey and held her captive for 26 hours, subjecting her to sexual battery and abuse. During her terrifying ordeal, McVey demonstrated incredible presence of mind. She memorized details of Long's vehicle, his apartment, and his habits, including the distinctive carpet in his car and the sounds of a nearby amusement park. She even managed to leave subtle clues in his car, such as her fingerprints and hair, that would later prove crucial.

After releasing her, Long was unaware of the detailed information she had gathered. McVey immediately went to the police, who were initially skeptical due to the sensational nature of her story. However, the detail she provided about his vehicle—a red Dodge Ramcharger with a specific carpet pattern—was cross-referenced with the crime scene evidence. This led investigators directly to Long.

On November 16, 1984, Robert Joe Long was arrested and charged with the kidnapping and sexual battery of Lisa McVey. Following his arrest, he confessed to the murders of the 10 women, bringing a sudden and definitive end to the Tampa Bay terror.

The Final Chapter: Death Row and Execution

Following his confession, Long was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Michelle Simms, receiving multiple life sentences for the other murders and rapes. He spent over three decades on Florida's Death Row at Florida State Prison, exhausting numerous appeals that cited his mental health issues and traumatic brain injuries sustained as a Vietnam veteran.

In 2019, newly-elected Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant for Long, scheduling his execution for May 23. Despite a last-minute request for a stay of execution being denied by the Florida Supreme Court, the execution proceeded as planned.

On the evening of May 23, 2019, Robert Joe Long was executed by lethal injection. His final moments were marked by a chilling silence; when asked if he had any last words, the serial killer declined. He was pronounced dead at 6:55 p.m. The execution was witnessed by several family members of the victims, including Lisa Noland (the former Lisa McVey), who stated she wanted to look him in the eye as justice was finally served.

The execution of Robert Joe Long closed one of the most notorious serial killer cases in Florida history. The case remains a testament to the devastating impact of his crimes on the Tampa Bay community and the extraordinary resilience of his sole survivor, Lisa McVey, whose bravery ensured that the "Classified Ads Rapist" could no longer prey on the innocent.