Anthony Balaam was born on July 9, 1965, in Trenton, New Jersey. He lived at 421 Stuyvesant Avenue with a roommate during a significant part of his life. Balaam had a long-term relationship that lasted ten years with a woman who bore him two children. Despite being described as polite and soft-spoken, he struggled with substance abuse, particularly crack cocaine.

He did not have much interaction with his neighbors and led a relatively quiet life. In mid-1995, he moved to Detroit for a short time, staying there from July 1995 to January 1996 before returning to Trenton. 

Anthony Balaam's crimes began in 1994 and continued until 1996. He looked for victims within a two-mile radius of his home, primarily targeting sex workers. He would cruise the streets late at night and early in the morning. Balaam offered these women crack cocaine in exchange for sex. Once they reached isolated areas, he would pull out a knife and threaten them. Afterward, he would rape and strangle them.

The bodies of his victims were found in various locations. Three of the bodies were disposed of in empty lots, while the last was left in a rundown hotel. His attacks led to the deaths of four women: Karen Denise Patterson, Valentina Cuyler, Connie Hayward, and Debora Ann Walker. One woman escaped after being attacked on February 16, 1996, and this led to his eventual capture.

On July 29, 1996, the body of Debora Ann Walker was discovered, prompting further investigation. Soon after, another victim's body was found in the same area. DNA evidence linked Balaam to the murders, leading to his arrest. During questioning, he admitted to the stranglings and shared details about the power he felt during the acts.

As the investigation progressed, authorities confirmed that Balaam was not a suspect in any unsolved murders in Detroit. His trial included charges of murder, robbery, and illegal possession of weapons. After a five-year trial, he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 120 years. Balaam will not be eligible for parole until 2116.