Advertisement

Facebook killer Steve Stephens used pet python to attract women

Andy Wells
·Freelance Writer

The gunman who filmed himself murdering an elderly man and broadcasting it online used a pet snake to lure women, according to neighbours.

Steve Stephens – who has been dubbed the ‘Facebook Killer’ – apparently used his pet python as a way to approach women when he was a teenager.

The gunman’s next-door-neighbour Alexis Lee described the snake approach as his “party trick”.

Steve Stephens filmed himself murdering Robert Godwin Sr (Facebook)
Steve Stephens filmed himself murdering Robert Godwin Sr (Facebook)
Stephens reportedly used a snake to lure women when he was a teenager (Facebook)
Stephens reportedly used a snake to lure women when he was a teenager (Facebook)

She told MailOnline: “It was a slimy thing to do and now he’s just a snake in the grass too.

“He didn’t really know how to talk to us ladies.

“The snake was meant to draw my attention and he regularly told me he had a crush on me.

MORE: Watch: This woman sums up everyone’s reaction to another general election
MORE: General election could be ‘really, really disastrous’, admit Labour MPs

“But he wasn’t my type at all. There was nothing attractive about him. He did have a nice personality though.”

Ms Lee went on to claim that Stephens had gambling issues, adding: “I saw him at the casino a couple of times and he would remind me that he always had a crush on me.

“One he asked me to sit next to him at the tables saying ‘Be my queen… be my lucky charm’. But I wasn’t interested. I just went home.”

The gunman blamed the breakdown of his relationship with Joy Lane for the murder (Facebook)
The gunman blamed the breakdown of his relationship with Joy Lane for the murder (Facebook)

Stephens is still on the run from police after a video of him shooting dead Robert Godwin Sr, 74, in Cleveland, Ohio, was uploaded onto Facebook.

The children’s mental health worker is believed to have “snapped” after the break-down of his three-year relationship with his girlfriend, Joy Lane.

Stephens can be seen approaching Mr Godwin in the street, saying: “Found me somebody I’m about to kill… this old dude.”

Mr Godwin was killed by Stephens while he was out for a stroll (Facebook)
Mr Godwin was killed by Stephens while he was out for a stroll (Facebook)
A memorial for Mr Godwin has started at the spot where he was killed (PA)
A memorial for Mr Godwin has started at the spot where he was killed (PA)

After telling Mr Godwin to say his girlfriend’s name, Stephens adds: “She’s the reason this is about to happen to you.”

The video then shows him shooting his victim in the face.

Stephens claimed to have killed 14 other people in an “Easter day slaughter” – although there has been no evidence of other victims so far, according to officials.

Cleveland Police are offering a £40,000 reward for Stephens’ capture.

Top pic: Facebook