A 71-year-old serial killer has pleaded guilty to murdering three elderly women in a New York City public housing development, prosecutors announced. Kevin Gavin, a Brooklyn resident, entered the plea on April 24 in Brooklyn Supreme Court, admitting to one count of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder. The crimes occurred between 2015 and 2021 at the New York City Housing Authority’s Carter G. Woodson Houses, according to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. In exchange for the plea, Gavin received a 30-year prison sentence.
How the Killer Gained Trust
Gavin operated as a local handyman, running errands and performing repairs for residents in the building. He exploited this role to gain the trust of his elderly victims before attacking them in their own homes. District Attorney Gonzalez condemned the betrayal, stating: “This defendant exploited elderly women who trusted him, gained access to their homes, and murdered them in a series of brutal attacks that shocked the conscience. These victims were vulnerable neighbors who deserved safety and dignity, and instead had their lives stolen by someone they believed was there to help.”
The Three Victims
The victims were identified as Myrtle McKinney, 82; Jacolia James, 83; and Juanita Caballero, 78. McKinney was found dead in her apartment in 2015 by her home health aide. Initially believed to have died from natural causes, a funeral director later discovered a stab wound on her neck. An autopsy revealed both the stab wound and blunt force injuries to her head and torso.
James was killed in April 2019 when Gavin “stomped” on her neck and chest, according to the DA’s office. Her death prompted family members to advocate for security cameras in the public housing building. Caballero was strangled with a telephone cord in January 2021 and was discovered by her son. Steven Caballero told the New York Times: “My mother was brutally murdered, brutally murdered. I can never get the vision of seeing my mother out of my eyes.”
How Gavin Was Caught
Authorities arrested Gavin on January 21, 2021, after he used Caballero’s debit card at multiple locations. He subsequently confessed to all three killings. During questioning, Gavin claimed the victims owed him money, though prosecutors provided no evidence to support this assertion. The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly residents in public housing and the importance of community safety measures.
