Grim Sleeper killings: Mary Lowe, 26, in 1987

Mary Lowe, a 26-year-old black woman, was found dead Oct. 31, 1987, in the 8900 block of Western Avenue in Gramercy Park, authorities said.

Her body was dumped in an alley and covered up, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. She had been shot with a small-caliber gun, police said.

Los Angeles police believe she is the sixth of 11 victims of a serial killer known as "the Grim Sleeper."

On July 7, 2010, authorities arrested Lonnie David Franklin Jr., a 57-year old black man, at his home in South Los Angeles after police said they made DNA matches linking him to Lowe's killing, as well as others dating between 1985 to 2007. 

Prosecutors said they have charged Franklin with 10 counts of murder, noting that he is eligible for the death penalty. He has not been charged in the 1986 shooting death of Thomas Steele, a 36-year old black man, although authorities believe Steele's killing is connected to the other cases.

Franklin is a former city trash collector who at one time worked as a vehicle mechanic at an LAPD station, sources said.

-- Times staff reports

Map shows location of home of Lonnie David Franklin, Jr. and the locations of where the Grim Sleeper's victims were found. Click for more details.