The Unsolved Murder of Diane Williams: A Haunting Chapter in Washington D.C.'s Freeway Phantom Case

Introduction

In the early 1970s, Washington D.C. was gripped by fear as a serial killer, later dubbed the "Freeway Phantom," preyed upon young African American girls. Among the six known victims was 17-year-old Diane Denise Williams, whose life was tragically cut short in September 1972. Decades later, her murder remains unsolved, leaving a lingering void for her family and the community.

Diane Williams: A Promising Young Life

Diane Denise Williams was a senior at Ballou High School, known for her quiet demeanor and dedication to her family. On September 5, 1972, she prepared dinner for her family before visiting her boyfriend. She was last seen boarding a bus near his residence around 11:20 p.m., intending to return home. Tragically, she never arrived. Her body was discovered hours later along the shoulder of Route 295, just south of the District line. She had been strangled, and her shoes were missing—a grim signature of the Freeway Phantom. Unlike some other victims, there were no signs of sexual assault, though traces of semen were found, believed to be from her boyfriend. ...Read More

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