Bobbie Long - Early Life

Early Life

Long was born October 14, 1953 in Kenova, West Virginia to Joe and Louetta Long. He was born with an extra x chromosome, because of which he grew breasts during puberty, for which he was severely teased. He also suffered multiple head injuries as a child. He had a dysfunctional relationship with his mother; he slept in her bed until he was a teenager, and resented her multiple short-term boyfriends. He married his high school girlfriend in 1974, with whom he had two children before she filed for divorce in 1980.

Prior to the Tampa Bay area murders, Long had committed at least 50 rapes as the "Classified Ad Rapist" in Fort Lauderdale, Ocala, Miami and Dade County. Starting in 1981, Long answered classified ads for small appliances, and if he found a woman alone at home, he would rape her. He was tried and convicted for rape in 1981 but requested a new trial which was granted. The charges were later dropped. Before Long killed in Florida, he lived in Long Beach, CA on the 2500 Block of Eucalyptus Avenue where he rented a room from a woman named Kathy. He attended an underwater welding course and dated a 17 year old girl across the street from his rented room. Bobby began contacting women through the Penny Saver and other classified ads and when he found a woman alone, he asked to use the bathroom, took out his "rape kit" and brutally raped and robbed the woman. These crimes were never prosecuted by the local California authorities.