John Floyd Thomas Jr. (born July 26, 1936)[1] is an American serial killer, serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the murders of seven women in the Los Angeles area during the 1970s and 1980s.

While stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, a superior noted that Thomas was regularly "late" and "slovenly" in appearance.

"[4] The killer's calling card was letting himself into the homes of elderly women who lived alone, raping them, either choking or suffocating them and leaving pillows or blankets over their faces after the attacks.

[6] In 2001, the LAPD launched the "Open-Unsolved Homicide Unit," which reopened cold cases that included biological evidence that belonged to the perpetrators.

One of the many cases looked at was the murder of 68-year-old Ethel Sokoloff, who was found sexually assaulted and choked to death in her home in November 1972.

[5] When the "Westside Rapist" killings appeared to stop in 1978, it was around the time Thomas was convicted and sentenced to state prison for the rape of a Pasadena woman.

[citation needed] Thomas was arrested on March 31, 2009, and on April 2, 2009, he was charged with the murders of Ethel Sokoloff and Elizabeth McKeown.

[8] Although he was charged with seven murders, investigators said they strongly believe he killed 15 or more women in the "Westside Rapist" and "Southland Strangler" period, and raped many more.