Cold cases reviewed for links to suspected serial killer

Detectives across the US are scouring cold case files for possible ties to a man arrested on suspicion of killing three women — fearing he may have killed scores of people.

Los Angeles cold case detectives recently caught Samuel Little in a Christian shelter in Kentucky. His arrest followed the murder of two women in 1989, both found strangled and half-naked.

DNA evidence collected at old crime scenes matched samples of Little’s stored in a criminal database.

After detectives found another match, a third murder charge was soon added against Little.

Now, as the 72-year-old former boxer awaits trial in Los Angeles, authorities in numerous jurisdictions in California, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, Mississippi and Ohio are reopening cold case files for possible ties to Little. One murder case, in Pascagoula, Mississippi, already has been reopened. DNA results are pending in some others.

Little’s more than 100-page rap sheet details crimes in 24 states spread over 56 years — mostly assault, burglary, armed robbery, shoplifting and drug violations.

In that time, authorities say incredulously, he served less than 10 years in prison.

But LA detectives allege he was also a serial killer, who preyed on prostitutes, drug addicts and troubled women. Their investigation has turned up a number of cases in which he was a suspect.

Police are using those old cases — and tracking down surviving victims — to help build their own case against Little.

“We see a pattern, and the pattern matches what he’s got away with in the past,” said LAPD Detective Mitzi Roberts.

Little has pleaded not guilty in the three killings.

Questions have emerged as to how did someone with so many encounters with the law, suspected by prosecutors and police officers of killing for decades, manage to escape serious jail time?

“It’s the craziest rap sheet I’ve ever seen,” said Los Angeles deputy district attorney Beth Silverman.

“The fact that he hasn’t spent a more significant period of his life (in custody) is a shocking thing. He’s gotten break after break after break.”