COURIER L 18 IFE, JAN. 29-FEB. 4, 2021
Cops arrest
suspected
Brownsville
serial killer
Brownsville murder suspect Kevin Gavins, 66, is walked out
of the 73rd Precinct by detectives on Jan. 21.
Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
BY BEN VERDE
Police arrested a
suspected serial killer
who was allegedly behind
the murder of
three elderly women in
a Brownsville housing
complex, the NYPD announced
on Jan. 21..
Investigators cuffed
suspect Kevin Gavin
soon after his alleged
third grisly murder in
the Woodson Houses,
a New York City Housing
Authority complex
on Powell Street.
“I am confident
upon hearing the evidence
that the Grand
Jury will charge and
indict the defendant,”
Kings County District
Attorney Eric Gonzalez
said during a press
conference at One Police
Plaza on Thursday.
“I know how devastating
these losses
have been to the people
of Brownsville and
the residents of those
houses.”
Authorities believe
Gavin killed 78-yearold
Juanita Caballero
last week, 83-year-old
Jacolia James in 2019,
and 82-year-old Myrtle
McKinney in 2015.
According to police
officials, Gavin also
resided in the area and
gained access to his
victims by posing as a
friendly, helpful neighbor,
often running errands
for those physically
impaired.
“The defendant took
advantage of his relationship
with these
women, was allowed
into their homes, and
did unspeakable acts
of violence,” said Gonzalez,
who added that
he hopes the arrest
will bring some level of
comfort to the area.
“I wanted to be here
because I want the
community to know
how devastating these
losses have been and to
the people of Brownsville
and to the residents
of those houses
that these women were
beloved mothers, and
grandmothers, and
neighbors, and the fear
that has existed in the
Woodson Houses, regarding
what has been
happening there,” he
said. “We are very
proud that we are able
to make this announcement
today.”
Additional reporting
by Dean Moses
SAMPLE