Charles Lee Duffy

Charles Lee Duffy was born on May 10, 1976, in Norcross, Georgia. Prior to his killing spree in 1997, Duffy had a criminal record that included convictions for robbery and auto theft. He was released from prison on probation in January 1997, just months before his first known murder. Despite his prior record, he was not under active supervision at the time of the murders.

Charles Duffy committed three murders in the metro Atlanta area over the span of just over a month in 1997. His crimes began on June 24, 1997, when 40-year-old Priscilla Culberson failed to arrive at work and was reported missing. Her personal items, including her purse and blood-stained clothing, were discovered on the roadside. Her body was found that evening in an empty lot near a bus terminal by her 20-year-old daughter. Evidence collected at the scene included semen and blood samples, indicating she had fought off her attacker.

On July 30, 1997, 42-year-old Gwendolyn Wyche was gunned down outside her home. Witnesses reported that she had been shot multiple times in the back. She was transported to Dekalb Medical Center but could not be revived. The murder weapon was identified as a revolver, and a blue vehicle was seen at the scene.

Two days later, on August 1, 1997, 52-year-old store worker Pok Yeo Kim was shot and killed during a robbery. Surveillance footage captured the shooter during the incident. Police described the suspect as a young Black male, around 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing approximately 160 pounds.

After linking the Wyche and Kim cases, police released the surveillance video to the public. Soon after, Duffy’s mother recognized him in the footage and contacted authorities. At the time, Duffy was 21 and on probation. His partial fingerprint was found at the scene of the Kim murder, confirming his connection.

Though urged to surrender, Duffy remained at large until police arrested a man walking under the influence of drugs who identified himself as "Tarus Smith." He was found in possession of a screwdriver and taken to jail. It was later discovered that "Smith" was actually Charles Duffy.

Duffy confessed to the murders of Wyche and Kim and pleaded guilty to both in March 1998, receiving two life sentences without the possibility of parole.

In 2005, the newly formed Fulton County Cold Case Unit reexamined unsolved crimes. DNA profiling of semen found on Priscilla Culberson matched Duffy’s DNA in the national database. When presented with this evidence, Duffy confessed to her murder as well. In 2007, he received an additional life sentence without parole.