THE KILLER IN THE CORRIDOR: 71-year-old ‘handyman’ serial killer ADMITS to cold-blooded murders of three elderly women at Brooklyn senior complex – after years of ‘staling their lives’ under the guise of friendship

A wave of horrific shock has swept through Brooklyn as a cold-blooded killer finally bowed his head and confessed to a series of brutal acts against three elderly women in what was supposed to be a sanctuary for the vulnerable.

Kevin Gavin, 71, a man described by prosecutors as a “serial killer inside his own apartment building,” pleaded guilty on Friday to the murders of three defenseless neighbors at the Carter G. Woodson Houses. For six years, Gavin masqueraded as a helpful handyman, exploiting the trust of his elderly victims before subjecting them to “sophisticated and ruthless” violence that has defied belief.

Despite his advanced age, Gavin’s crimes carried a level of savagery typically associated with much younger offenders. From 2015 to 2021, he turned the public housing complex into his personal hunting ground, preying on women who viewed him as a friendly face in the hallway.

A Reign of Terror in the Stairwells

The gruesome timeline of Gavin’s spree began on November 8, 2015. His first victim was Myrtle McKinney, 82, a retired housekeeper from Jamaica who had spent her life working across Florida and the Bahamas. McKinney, who had lived in the building for over a decade, was found in her apartment with a fatal knife wound to the neck.

For nearly four years, the trail went cold, until Gavin struck again with even greater ferocity. On April 30, 2019, Jacolia James, 83, was found face down and bruised in her apartment by a relative. In a sickening display of violence, the DA’s office revealed that Gavin had stomped on the 83-year-old woman’s neck and chest.

James, described by family as “vigilant and wary of strangers,” had lived in the complex for decades. Her death sent ripples of fear through the building, yet the “killer in the corridor” remained hidden in plain sight.

The Final Act of Betrayal

The spree culminated on January 14, 2021, with the murder of Juanita Caballero, 78. Known affectionately as “Lucy” to her neighbors, Caballero was a fixture of the community. She was found strangled with a telephone cord in her apartment by her son, who had arrived for a weekend visit.

The DA’s office confirmed the murder occurred during a robbery. Crucially, investigators finally caught a break when security footage captured Gavin using Caballero’s stolen debit card just days after her body was discovered.

“This defendant exploited elderly women who trusted him, gained access to their homes, and murdered them in a series of brutal attacks that shocked the conscience,” District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a searing statement. “These victims were vulnerable neighbors who deserved safety and dignity, and instead had their lives stolen by someone they believed was there to help.”

The ‘Handyman’s’ Mask Falls

Gavin was arrested a week after Caballero’s death and initially claimed he had been in disputes with each woman over money, alleging he “fought with each victim” prior to their deaths. However, the sheer brutality of the killings—stabbing, stomping, and strangulation—painted a far more predatory picture than a mere disagreement.

On Friday, the 71-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder. In exchange for the plea, he is expected to be sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.

A Community Scared into Change

The revelation that a serial killer was living among them sparked outrage and demands for better security at the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) complex. Residents argued that the lack of surveillance allowed Gavin to operate with impunity for years.

In response to the tragedy, NYCHA has since overhauled the security at the Woodson Houses. A spokesperson confirmed that the complex is now “fully equipped” with 140 security cameras installed in stairwells, elevators, and on rooftops.

While the cameras offer a semblance of safety for the current residents, they come too late for the families of McKinney, James, and Caballero. For them, the “safest of places” became a house of horrors.

Kevin Gavin is scheduled to be formally sentenced on May 30, where he will likely spend the remainder of his life behind bars—finally ending the reign of the “handyman” who brought death to the doorstep of the elderly.