Anthony McKnight (1954 – October 17, 2019) was an American serial killer, rapist, kidnapper, and sex offender who killed five women and assaulted five others in Oakland, California, over a period of five months in late 1985 and early 1986.

[3] McKnight's first attack was in October when he stabbed a girl in the neck and chest, then raped her and left her unconscious on the outskirts of one of the western districts of Oakland, where she was found and taken to a hospital.

In January 1986, McKnight carried out another attack, during which he raped the victim, attempted to strangle her, and then dumped her in Oakland's industrial area.

[4] In late 1985, the Oakland Police Department (OPD) became aware of a serial rapist targeting young black women in city's suburbs and outlying areas.

Over time, the unknown rapist became the main suspect in the murders of at least seven women and girls in Oakland and its suburbs, as the exact same modus operandi and pattern were used.

They found out that at the time of the rapes, McKnight had been stationed at Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay area as part of the Navy.

On August 24, 1987, McKnight was found guilty of several cases of kidnapping, assault, rape and attempted murder, receiving 63 years imprisonment.

McKnight pled not guilty to all charges, but the prosecution cited the overwhelming DNA evidence that tied him to the crime scenes.