The Gainesville Ripper's killing spree began on August 24, 1990, when the bodies of two University of Florida students, Sonja Larson and Christina Powell, were discovered in their apartment. Over the next few days, three more bodies were found, all of whom were students at the university. The killer's methods were brutal and calculated, with each victim being stabbed multiple times and posed in a gruesome manner. The investigation into the murders was extensive, with authorities collecting DNA evidence and interviewing numerous suspects. However, it wasn't until September 7, 1990, that the killer was finally identified as Danny Rolling, a 36-year-old drifter with a history of mental illness. Rolling was arrested in Ocala, Florida, after a traffic stop, and was later linked to the murders through DNA evidence. His trial was highly publicized, and he was eventually convicted of the five murders. Rolling was sentenced to death and executed by lethal injection on October 25, 2006. The Gainesville Ripper's crimes had a lasting impact on the city of Gainesville, leading to increased security measures and a greater sense of awareness among students.