Kevin Gavin, 66, has been indicted for allegedly murdering three elderly women who lived in NYCHA's Carter G. Woodson Houses in Brownsville.
The handyman lived in the same building as Myrtle McKinney, 82, Jacolia James, 83, and Juanita Caballero, 78, who were killed in their apartments between 2015 and 2021. Gavin allegedly strangled or stabbed the women for money he claimed they owed him for doing odd jobs.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Tuesday the Brownsville man had been arraigned on an indictment, charged with one count of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder.
"This defendant is an alleged serial killer who murdered three of his elderly neighbors who trusted him and welcomed him into their homes only to have that trust violated in the worst way imaginable," Gonzalez said.
"These victims were mothers, grandmothers and beloved friends whose violent deaths have had a chilling effect inside their housing complex and on the Brownsville community."
He said his team would do everything possible to seek justice for the victims and the family members and friends who were left without their loved ones.
On November 8, 2015, Gavin allegedly stabbed McKinney in the neck with a steak knife inside her apartment. On April 30, 2019, he allegedly strangled James inside her apartment. Then, on January 14, 2021, Gavin allegedly strangled Caballero inside her apartment by wrapping a phone cord around her neck during a robbery.
A few days after Caballero's death, Gavin allegedly used debit and benefit cards he had stolen from Caballero. DNA evidence recovered from James was also matched to Gavin.
Gavin was arrested on January 21 by invesitgators from the 73rd Precinct, whom he allegedly told that he argued with the victims over money and fought with them prior to their deaths.
Gavin was ordered held without bail and will return to court on July 6, 2021. He faces a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole if convicted of the top count.
