News emerged this week that a sex worker in West Virginia may have put an end to a nationwide killing spree by an American serial killer, after shooting him in self defence.
She told police that Neal Falls, 45, had answered her online sex ad, but the encounter turned violent when he arrived.
During the struggle, she got hold of his gun and shot him.
A Kill List
It was then that a ‘kill list’ was found in his pocket, leading the authorities to suspect he was targeting local prostitutes.
“I knew he was there to kill me,” the woman – who was not identified- told local news station KPTV.
“I could tell that he had already done something because he said that he was going to prison for a long time. And that’s when I knew he was gonna kill me.”
Police in Charleston found weapons and tools, including knives, a machete, rubbish bags, a bulletproof vest and bleach inside the boot of his car..
This alarming haul has got police considering whether he is the man responsible for a number of unsolved murders in Ohio and Nevada.
“The stuff that we found is so alarming that we want law enforcement across the country to be aware of it,” Lt Steve Cooper of the Charleston Police Department said.
Falls, who most recently lived in Oregon, resided in Henderson, Nevada between 2000 and 2007. During that time four prostitutes were found dismembered along highways, whilst a fourth disappeared and has never been found.
More recently, four women have been killed and two have gone missing in Chillicothe, Ohio, which is a two hour drive from Charleston
An Awful Reminder
Firstly, we have to say how happy we were that this woman survived the attack. She showed incredible bravery. Also, if there is a hell, I suspect Neal Falls is burning in it now. The world is certainly a better place without him in it.
However, it does go to show how, in a society where sex work is criminalised, how dangerous it can be for the people who engage in it. They are pushed to the margins of society and they become prey to those who would do them harm.
Let’s take a look at the system in Ireland. Escorts have to work on their own, because if they don’t, they are at risk of being accused of running a brothel. Therefore, if some sicko rocks up with his ‘kill kit’, who is there to help?
Everyone will have different opinions on this one. Personally, as an individual, I would like total legalisation, houses with a number of girls being given the thumbs up, women being allowed to keep security and other things that will keep them safe. For me, the only issue should be, is do they want to be doing it? If they have made that choice, then let’s do everything to make sure that the likes of Mr Falls get nowhere near them.
When you push an industry underground, it will naturally become more unsafe. It is in these shadows that evil lurks.
Now people will say that this doesn’t happen in Ireland. Well, it is only by luck that we haven’t had any cases like this. American’s haven’t got some genetic fault with makes them more susceptible to being murdering assholes. Really, this could happen anywhere.
Those who seek to tighten the law on sex work should bare this in mind. Then again, do they actually care? It wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination to think those at the extreme end of the spectrum will feel that the escorts have brought it on themselves, and a few killings may act as a deterrent when it comes to becoming involved in sex work.
Safety should always be the key. There are worse people out there than people who choose to participate in a certain line of work.
Since then, he has specialised in articles on the battle for equal rights for sex workers, sexual health, as well as bringing the readers fun news from around the world. He also has a major interest in LGBT rights, and is an active campaigner in this field.
When he isn't fighting the good fight, he enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, and young daughter. He also enjoys reading and taking long walks.
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