Serial Killer Sentenced to 160 Years for Killing Three Women

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced that convicted serial killer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver, now 25, of Orange was sentenced today to 160 years for killing three young woman and attempting to kill a fourth between August 2016 and November 2016.

In December 2019, an Essex County jury convicted Wheeler-Weaver on three counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Sarah Butler, 20, Robin West, 19, and Joanne Brown, 33. He was also found guilty of the kidnapping, sexual assault, and attempted murder of a fourth woman, Tiffany Taylor, who survived her attack.

Today, the Honorable Mark Ali, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Wheeler-Weaver to 160 years in New Jersey State Prison. Under the No Early Release Act (NERA), Wheeler-Weaver must serve 145 years before he is eligible for parole.

“The sentence today sends a clear and unequivocal message that each of these young women mattered. This defendant mistakenly believed that he could kill them and dump their bodies, and no one would care. He miscalculated. The jury made it clear with its verdict when it convicted Wheeler-Weaver on every count. And today the Judge, with his sentence, made it clear that each of these women would receive justice. I want to thank the Essex County assistant prosecutors, investigators and others in law enforcement who worked to bring us to this day,’’ said Acting Prosecutor Stephens. “Most importantly, I want to thank the surviving victim, Tiffany Taylor, and the friends and families of the other victims who played a pivotal role in the case.’’

Assistant Prosecutor Adam B. Wells, who tried the case, with Assistant Prosecutor Mira T. Ohm, said, “I am grateful to Ms. Taylor, and the families and friends of Joanne Brown, Sarah Buter and Robin West for the grace and strength they showed throughout this horrendous ordeal. I hope that today’s sentencing, and the promise that the defendant will be incarcerated for the rest of his life can allow them to close this chapter and move forward honoring those who are not able to do so themselves.”

After a two-month trial, the jury took less than three hours to find Wheeler-Weaver guilty on all counts, including three counts of murder. In addition to the murder counts, Wheeler-Weaver was also found guilty of kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault and attempted murder of Taylor. The jury also convicted him of three counts of desecration of human remains and aggravated arson.

Butler, a Montclair resident who was attending Jersey City University was murdered on Nov. 22, 2016. Her body was found in Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange on Dec. 1, 2016.
Brown of Newark was murdered on Oct. 22, 2016. Her body was found in a vacant home in Orange on Dec. 5, 2016. West, a native of Philadelphia who was living in Union Township, was murdered on Sept. 1, 2016 in Orange. Wheeler-Weaver set fire to her body and then torched the vacant home.

Acting Prosecutor Stephens thanked all the law enforcement agencies that worked so closely with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office on this case. He also lauded Sergeant Christopher Smith of the ECPO, Lieutenant Michael Krusznis of the Newark Police Department, retired ECPO Captain Thomas Kelly, retired ECPO Sergeant Paul Sarbando, and retired ECPO Detective Mario Suarez.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted serial killer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver, 23, of Orange on three counts of murder in connection with the deaths of three young women he killed between August and November 2016 and the kidnapping, sexual assault, and attempted murder of a fourth woman.

“This defendant somehow thought that he could kill these women without anyone caring. The investigation undertaken by our office, in cooperation with others in law enforcement, makes clear that those of us in law enforcement would not allow that to happen,’’ said Acting Prosecutor’s Stephens. “The jury’s verdict makes clear the community would not either. Every victim is important, and we pursue each case was an unwavering commitment to produce the best outcome possible based on the evidence we can gather.’’

After a two-month trial, the jury took less than three hours to find Wheeler-Weaver guilty on all counts, including three counts of murder for killing Sarah Butler, 20, Robin West, 19, and Joanne Brown, 33.

In addition to the murder counts, Wheeler-Weaver was also found guilty of kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault and attempted murder of a 34-year-old woman who survived the attack. The jury also convicted him of three counts of desecration of human remains and aggravated arson.

Butler, a Montclair resident who was attending Jersey City University was murdered on Nov. 22, 2016. Her body was found in Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange on Dec. 1, 2016.
Brown of Newark was murdered on Oct. 22, 2016. Her body was found in a vacant home in Orange on Dec. 5, 2016.

West, a native of Philadelphia who was living in Union Township, was murdered on Sept. 1, 2016 in Orange. Wheeler-Weaver set fire to her body and then torched the vacant home.

“Three years ago, three families suffered the terror of a missing loved one, followed by the horror and loss of learning they had been murdered. The survivor suffered a horrible trauma, from which she continues to recover. For the past three years, we have worked to win justice for these women. The jury has now delivered that justice on behalf of our community,” said Assistant Prosecutor Adam B. Wells, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Mira Ohm.
“We thank the jury for their tremendous service. This result could not have happened without the cooperation of members of the law enforcement community as well as the victims’ friends and family who worked with us in solving these heinous crimes,” said Assistant Prosecutor Ohm.
Acting Prosecutor Stephens thanked all the law enforcement agencies that worked so closely with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office on this case. He extended a special thanks to Sergeant Christopher Smith of the ECPO, Lieutenant Michael Krusznis of the Newark Police Department, ECPO Captain Thomas Kelly, retired ECPO Sergeant Paul Sarbando and ECPO Detective Mario Suarez.

On April 28, 2014, Abdullah, also known as Yusuf Camp, plead guilty to the charges, admitting that he purposely set his clothes on fire in his ex-girlfriend’s apartment building at 207 North Walnut Street, East Orange, causing damage to six apartments in that section of the building.

At the time of the fire, numerous apartments were occupied. Residents were rescued by the East Orange Fire Department from fire escapes and apartment windows because the fire had blocked their means of egress from the building, according to Assistant Prosecutor Jason Hollingsworth who handled the case.

Abdullah, who has five prior convictions, is required to serve 85 percent of his sentence under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act before becoming eligible for parole.

“This was a case where multiple lives could have been senselessly lost,” Hollingsworth said. “Thankfully, all of the victims were successfully rescued due to the skill and immediate response of the East Orange Fire Department.”

Benkowski is wanted for setting the campaign bus of mayoral candidate Ras Baraka on fire on Feb. 16. A warrant has been issued for his arrest charging him with 3rd degree arson, 3rd degree criminal mischief and 3rd degree burglary.

During the early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 16, the campaign bus parked in Newark at 423 Central Avenue, in front of the Baraka campaign headquarters, was torched and sugar was put in the engine. Through surveillance and other technology investigators with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Task Force learned a white Chevy Express van was involved in the arson.

On March 7 investigators located the 2007 Chevy Express van. It was pulled over in the vicinity of Morris and Central Avenue in Newark. At that time, the van was driven by Shareef Q. Nash, 35, of South Orange. Nash has not been charged with any crime. The vehicle is registered to Prestige Professional Management, LLC, located in Newark.

It is alleged that Benkowski used the van in connection with the arson. Benkowski is currently at-large.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 1-877-847-7432.

The investigation is active and ongoing and additional arrests are possible. Acting Prosecutor Murray commended the legal and investigative team for their excellent work on this case.

These are accusations. All defendants are considered innocent unless and until they either enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Following a nine-day trial before the Honorable Sherry Hutchins-Henderson, Judge of the Superior Court, the jury found Fowler guilty on three counts. In addition to aggravated arson, she was also found guilty of burglary, and criminal mischief. She was acquitted of the more serious charge of attempted murder.

On Oct. 9, 2011, at approximately 4:40 a.m. a Maple Avenue home in West Orange was set on fire by the defendant who entered the porch of the home and set a basket filled with socks on fire and then fled the scene. Three people were in the home at the time but escaped without injury.

Shortly after the fire was set, the defendant was pulled over by a West Orange police officer on a routine patrol for making an illegal turn. As he was preparing to issue her a ticket, the officer received word via his police radio that there was a fire on Maple Avenue and all units should respond to that location.

The officer told the defendant it was her lucky day and let her go. During the course of the investigation the officer realized the name of the woman he had pulled over that day matched the name of a person who had an ongoing dispute with the victim. Fowler was subsequently arrested.

Fowler and the victim had recently broken up after a tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship. The victim was in a relationship with another woman, who was in the house at the time the fire occurred.

During the bail revocation hearing, Assistant Prosecutor Jason Hollingsworth, who tried the case, said, “We believe this defendant poses a serious threat to the community and we will be seeking an extended prison term given her prior convictions and the seriousness of this offense.’’

Fowler has four prior felony convictions. In 1996 she was convicted of aggravated manslaughter. She also has two prior convictions for drug offenses and one conviction for terroristic threats.

Following the jury’s verdict, Judge Hutchins-Henderson ordered that she be taken into custody. She is currently being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 28 before Judge Hutchins-Henderson. Fowler faces up to 30 years in prison because of her prior convictions.

Kelly Fowler