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Homicide True Crime Cases #4
The Clairemont Killer: The True Story of Serial Killer Cleophus Prince, Jr.
Authorities had profiled San Diego's newest serial killer as a disorganized opportunist. They were wrong. While Serial Killers usually target victims of their own race, Cleophus Prince, Jr. was an African-American who systematically stalked, raped and murdered, white women. Turned out, Prince Jr. was one of California's most organized and methodical serial killers. He mercilessly held San Diego on edge and in great fear for over a year until finally being apprehended during a burglary in Alabama. Because of the unconventional victims he targeted, his modus operandi and very distinctive signature, law enforcement was stumped and their profiling theories were often wrong. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Cleophus Prince, Jr. joined the United States Navy after graduation. A deceivingly normal background and pleasant disposition led most to believe he would do okay in life and to never suspect his darker cravings. But then Prince Jr. began to change. Those violent thoughts and desires plagued his mind and entire being until they became unquenchable. And quench them he did. In his latest true crime account, bestselling author C.L. Swinney chronicles the life story of Cleophus Prince, Jr. - California's most horrific and calculated serial killer. This is the author's 4th book in his 'Homicide True Crime Cases Series' 1. Robert Black: The True Story of a Child Rapist and Serial Killer from the United Kingdom 2. Deadly Voices: The True Story of Serial Killer Herbert Mullin 3. Peter Manuel: The Beast of Birkenshaw Serial Killer
- GenresTrue CrimeSerial Killer
144 pages, Paperback
First published May 7, 2016
About the author
C.L. Swinney
20 books173 followersC. L. Swinney is the author of eleven international best-selling true crime books and a best-selling Crime Fiction series.
Chris consulted for a mini-series in Hollywood, has been interviewed several times for television and radio programs, and several of his books have been considered for television and film rights.
He donates proceeds from book sales to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Cancer research, PTSD/Military support groups, StopHungerNow.Org, and victims of violent crimes.
Find him at the following locations:
Email: theclswinney@yahoo.com
TWITTER: @clswinney
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/clswinney
Chris consulted for a mini-series in Hollywood, has been interviewed several times for television and radio programs, and several of his books have been considered for television and film rights.
He donates proceeds from book sales to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Cancer research, PTSD/Military support groups, StopHungerNow.Org, and victims of violent crimes.
Find him at the following locations:
Email: theclswinney@yahoo.com
TWITTER: @clswinney
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/clswinney
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 18, 2016
Tragic story of San Diego serial killer
Cleophus Prince, Jr. Was born in Birmingham, Alabama. After graduation, he joined the United States Navy. After a couple of years, something went awry and he began stealing money and property from his fellow sailors. Prince was court martialed and dishonorably discharged from the Navy.
Prince suddenly found himself in San Diego, homeless, friendless and broke. He found a job but mainly supported himself by committing residential burglaries.
For some unknown reason, he began stalking young, attractive white women. He would break into their homes and murder them, sometimes raping them as he stabbed them. In addition to his recognizable pattern of wounds, he also left another signature. Then he stole jewelry and other items before fleeing the scene.
This book is also about the efforts of law enforcement to capture him and bring him to trial.
Highly recommended. Includes photos.
Cleophus Prince, Jr. Was born in Birmingham, Alabama. After graduation, he joined the United States Navy. After a couple of years, something went awry and he began stealing money and property from his fellow sailors. Prince was court martialed and dishonorably discharged from the Navy.
Prince suddenly found himself in San Diego, homeless, friendless and broke. He found a job but mainly supported himself by committing residential burglaries.
For some unknown reason, he began stalking young, attractive white women. He would break into their homes and murder them, sometimes raping them as he stabbed them. In addition to his recognizable pattern of wounds, he also left another signature. Then he stole jewelry and other items before fleeing the scene.
This book is also about the efforts of law enforcement to capture him and bring him to trial.
Highly recommended. Includes photos.
August 12, 2018
Satisfying read!
Detailed nicely as we follow this killer from crime to court room and see justice served..somewhat..for the women whose lives were taken.
Detailed nicely as we follow this killer from crime to court room and see justice served..somewhat..for the women whose lives were taken.
May 13, 2019
Swinney is no Don Winslow but if you’re in the mood for a straight shooting concise summary of a true crime, this book is for you. I live in San Diego and have lived in Clairemont so when a friend asked if I had lived in the same complex as the victims, I knew I needed to find out more about this serial killer. I was just out of high school at the time the crimes happened so I don’t remember hearing about them but wow I was shocked that these crimes went unsolved for as long as they did. I like to think that we’ve advanced in the area of law enforcement now but geese- those poor unsuspecting women who became the victims of Cleophus Prince Jr. - A must read for any true crime lover.
July 19, 2016
"Authorities had profiled San Diego’s newest serial killer as a disorganized opportunist." They were wrong. While Serial Killers usually target victims of their own race, Cleophus Prince, Jr. was an African-American who systematically stalked, raped and murdered, white women. Turned out, Prince Jr. was one of California’s most organized and methodical serial killers. He mercilessly held San Diego on edge and in great fear for over a year until finally being apprehended during a burglary in Alabama. Because of the unconventional victims he targeted, his modus operandi and very distinctive signature, law enforcement was stumped and their profiling theories were often wrong. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Cleophus Prince, Jr. joined the United States Navy after graduation. A deceivingly normal background and pleasant disposition led most to believe he would do okay in life and to never suspect his darker cravings. But then Prince Jr. began to change. Those violent thoughts and desires plagued his mind and entire being until they became unquenchable. And quench them he did. In his latest true crime account, bestselling author C.L. Swinney chronicles the life story of Cleophus Prince, Jr. - California’s most horrific and calculated serial killer.”
This was truly a mind opening amazing read. That any one person could be so horrible is beyond imagination except that this is a true story and it really happened. The book was a fact filled story that tried to explain Cleophus reasoning, logic and a warning as to what the public needs to be aware of and become involved when they see strange things going on around them.
This was truly a mind opening amazing read. That any one person could be so horrible is beyond imagination except that this is a true story and it really happened. The book was a fact filled story that tried to explain Cleophus reasoning, logic and a warning as to what the public needs to be aware of and become involved when they see strange things going on around them.
August 22, 2016
As always Officer Swinney brings it home.
This book gives us a glimpse at the crimes and efforts to bring to justice Cleophus Prince, Jr.
One thing I like about Mr. Swinney is that he never offers up excuses for the offenders he writes about. Somehow I find when a true crime author tries to write that side of the story it always comes out as tragically overdone and it makes me angry. Why do these people deserve our sympathy!? Why should we as a society feel like their lives have made them who they are? Which of us has not seen ugly things? Does that justify!? I really don't think so.
I greatly respect the work of our law enforcement individuals that have put their lives on the line to protect us from individuals like Prince, Jr. Where would we be without them.
In this book we get a birds eye view of the crimes committed. I like the way the crimes were laid out with some information about the victims and their personalities. I like that this book further goes into the trial and then some analysis of Prince. All in all it is a great book for seeing things through the perspective of law enforcement.
Thank you Officer Swinney
This book gives us a glimpse at the crimes and efforts to bring to justice Cleophus Prince, Jr.
One thing I like about Mr. Swinney is that he never offers up excuses for the offenders he writes about. Somehow I find when a true crime author tries to write that side of the story it always comes out as tragically overdone and it makes me angry. Why do these people deserve our sympathy!? Why should we as a society feel like their lives have made them who they are? Which of us has not seen ugly things? Does that justify!? I really don't think so.
I greatly respect the work of our law enforcement individuals that have put their lives on the line to protect us from individuals like Prince, Jr. Where would we be without them.
In this book we get a birds eye view of the crimes committed. I like the way the crimes were laid out with some information about the victims and their personalities. I like that this book further goes into the trial and then some analysis of Prince. All in all it is a great book for seeing things through the perspective of law enforcement.
Thank you Officer Swinney
May 10, 2016
Great Read!!!
As expected, CL Swinney has ANOTHER GREAT READ!! Interesting, well written! I had never heard of Cleophus Prince Jr. before picking up this book and found this case interesting because although Cleophus didn't have the greatest upbringing, he didn't show the signs that are usually there with serial killers. He was a pretty good kid despite having a father and uncle both in prison. He went to school, graduated and joined the Navy. It was while he was in the Navy that his bad side started showing. He was eventually received a dishonorable discharge for the crimes committed while serving (thefts). It was after his discharge that he added murder to his crime resume. Murdering 6 women has him now spending his life on death row! I also learned that being on death row doesn't make someone any less capable of being dangerous!
Well done CL Swinney!!
As expected, CL Swinney has ANOTHER GREAT READ!! Interesting, well written! I had never heard of Cleophus Prince Jr. before picking up this book and found this case interesting because although Cleophus didn't have the greatest upbringing, he didn't show the signs that are usually there with serial killers. He was a pretty good kid despite having a father and uncle both in prison. He went to school, graduated and joined the Navy. It was while he was in the Navy that his bad side started showing. He was eventually received a dishonorable discharge for the crimes committed while serving (thefts). It was after his discharge that he added murder to his crime resume. Murdering 6 women has him now spending his life on death row! I also learned that being on death row doesn't make someone any less capable of being dangerous!
Well done CL Swinney!!
July 12, 2016
Author C. L. Swinney does an excellent job detailing the life and crimes of Cleophus Prince Jr also known as the Clairemont Killer. Cleophus was charged and convicted of the rape and murder 6 women in the San Diego, California area in 1990. I highly recommend this book to all TC fans.
January 12, 2020
Truth be known
A good story, way to short, no suspense. Too much money for such a short story. For that reason, three star.
A good story, way to short, no suspense. Too much money for such a short story. For that reason, three star.
June 29, 2016
Mistakes cost
Often sick people slip through the cracks. We over look red flags, . This book is well written and easy to follow.
Often sick people slip through the cracks. We over look red flags, . This book is well written and easy to follow.
July 9, 2017
It seemed like a pretty typical story of someone who couldn't find a job and started with petty crimes which then escalated to rape and then murder. It was an okay read but not a terrific one.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews