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Troy Graves is a convicted serial r*pist and murderer whose crimes shocked communities in both Philadelphia and Fort Collins, Colorado, during the late 1990s and early 2000s. His calculated assaults included the murder of Shannon Schieber in 1998, along with a series of s*xual assaults in both cities.
Graves' ability to elude capture for years while leading a seemingly normal life added to the chilling nature of his crimes. He was finally arrested in 2002 when the DNA evidence connected him to attacks in Philadelphia and Colorado. Graves led a dual life, serving in the U.S. Air Force while committing violent crimes, which bewildered both those involved in the investigation and the public.
His guilty plea related to Shannon Schieber's murder, along with several other violent attacks, led him to life in prison without eligibility for parole. The case of Troy Graves is featured in season 1, episode 9 of Philly Homicide.
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From a list of 44 suspects, investigators narrowed it down and ultimately identified Troy Graves as the perpetrator in Shannon Schieber's death. The episode is set to air on Oxygen on December 28, 2024.
Five facts related to the crimes of Troy Graves
1) The killing of Shannon Schieber
Shannon Schieber, a 23-year-old doctoral student, was found strangled in her Philadelphia apartment on May 7, 1998. A neighbor had complained about a peculiar smell coming from her house. When her brother went upstairs to check, he found his sister's body. Evidence indicated that she was s*xually assaulted before her murder.
The case went unsolved for a long time, and the lack of leads soon frustrated investigators and the public. Neighbors reported hearing Shannon's screams during the attack, but police officers who responded allegedly left without entering her apartment. This sparked public outrage and increased scrutiny of how law enforcement handled s*xual assault cases.
2) Philadelphia string of s*xual assaults
Troy Graves later committed a series of s*xual assaults in Philadelphia between 1997 and 1999. His attacks were characterized by targeting women in their homes, often entering through open windows or doors. Graves was meticulous during the assaults, leaving minimal evidence behind.
The community was gripped by fear as many victims reported similar patterns of assault. However, it proved hard for authorities to trace a suspect during this period, as Graves blended into society with no apparent connection to his crimes.
3) Graves' crimes continued in Colorado
In the early 2000s, Graves moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, where he joined the U.S. Air Force. Despite relocating, his pattern of s*xual violence continued. Several women reported assaults that bore striking similarities to those in Philadelphia.
Law enforcement's attention to these crimes in Colorado eventually tied them to the Philadelphia cases with DNA evidence. This break led to the unraveling of Graves' years of crimes.
4) Role of DNA evidence in his capture
Graves' arrest in 2002 was largely due to advancements in DNA testing. Samples gathered from crime scenes in both Philadelphia and Colorado matched, pointing to him as the culprit.
This evidence directly connected Graves with Shannon Schieber's murder and at least six r*pes. He was apprehended while living with his wife in Colorado, highlighting the stark contrast between his public persona and his criminal activities.
5) Life in prison without parole
Following his arrest, Troy Graves pleaded guilty to most of the charges against him, including murdering Shannon Schieber and other counts such as r*pe and burglary. By so doing, he avoided going to trial and potentially escaping a death sentence.
In 2002, he received several life terms without parole. He is currently being held at the State Correctional Institution in Houtzdale, Pennsylvania, and continues to serve his sentence.
These five key facts about the crimes of Troy Graves highlight the seriousness of his crimes and the investigative work that eventually brought an end to his reign of terror.
