Ray Shawn Jackson was born on August 28, 1967. He was the only son of his parents. When he was seven years old, his family moved to Kansas City. Growing up, Ray lived in a poor environment. This affected his childhood and upbringing. As he entered his late teens, he started working. He took on jobs as a laborer, but he struggled with reading and writing.

In Kansas City, Ray faced many challenges. He had to adapt to a new city and a different lifestyle. The neighborhood where he lived was not always safe or welcoming. Despite these hardships, Ray continued to work.

In the span of seven months, between September 1989 and April 1990, the bodies of six women were discovered in Kansas City, Missouri, particularly around Gillham Park. The first victim was Annette Stewart, found dead on September 16, 1989. She was 33 years old and her body was located near 31st and Oak streets. Shortly after, on September 20, Kimberly Creer, 22, was found in Gillham Park. Next, on October 22, Tresa Williams, 21, was discovered at 4136 Euclid Avenue in Kansas City. On October 28, another body, that of 36-year-old Janice Berryman, was found in Gillham Park. The killings continued into the new year, with Tonya Ward, 23, found on January 18, 1990, and Michelle Mitchell, 22, discovered in Gillham Park on April 5, 1990.

In April 1990, an incident raised alarms when a man walking his dog saw a man assaulting a woman. The man realized it was an act of rape and intervened. The woman regained consciousness and provided a description of her attacker. The police began investigating and learned that the suspect often frequented the area around Gillham Park.

After speaking with locals, authorities identified Ray Jackson as a potential suspect. When police questioned him, he confessed to committing multiple murders. Jackson explained that he would approach women on the streets, offering to smoke crack cocaine with them. Once they agreed, he would take them to secluded spots in or near Gillham Park. He stated that he would choke the women from behind until they lost consciousness. Upon reviving them, he would assault and strangle them. He would leave their bodies arranged in provocative poses, with their clothing scattered around.

One case stood out from the others. Jackson had followed this unnamed woman before he asked her to join him. After she refused, he attacked her, attempting to drag her into the bushes before the passerby intervened.

In the end, to avoid facing the death penalty, Jackson pleaded guilty to six counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree assault for the surviving victim. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Jackson is currently serving his sentence at South Central Correctional Center.