Contents
Introduction
Benjamin Atkins, also known as The Woodward Corridor Killer, was an infamous American serial killer who terrorized the streets of Highland Park and Detroit, Michigan. His reign of terror lasted for a brief but intense period of eight months between December 1991 and August 1992. However, the cause of Atkins’ death was not violence or legal execution, but a disease that was rampant during his time.
The Life and Crimes of Benjamin Atkins
Born on August 26, 1968, in Detroit, Atkins had a troubled childhood marked by poverty, abandonment, and abuse. His parents were drug addicts and alcoholics, and he spent a significant part of his childhood in an orphanage. As a young adult, Atkins developed a deep-seated hatred for women, particularly prostitutes, which later manifested in his heinous crimes.
Atkins’ victims were primarily young and middle-aged destitute women, often prostitutes or drug addicts. He would lure them to abandoned buildings where he sexually assaulted them. After strangling his victims, he would leave the bodies at the crime scenes, with some of them discovered months after their deaths. Atkins was eventually apprehended, convicted, and given several life sentences in April 1994.
The Final Chapter: Benjamin Atkins Cause of Death
After his conviction, Atkins was transferred to the Charles Egeler Reception and Guidance Center in Jackson. However, due to health issues, he was quickly transferred to Duane Waters Hospital. It was here that Atkins met his end on September 17, 1997. The cause of death was not related to his violent lifestyle or a result of prison violence. Instead, Atkins died from an AIDS-related illness.
Conclusion
The life and death of Benjamin Atkins serve as a grim reminder of the devastating effects of childhood trauma and the importance of mental health intervention. While his crimes were undeniably horrific, his death from AIDS highlights another aspect of his tragic life. The story of Benjamin Atkins is a stark example of how societal failures can contribute to the creation of a monster. His death marked the end of a reign of terror, but it also underscored the importance of addressing the root causes of such violent behavior.
