Billy Mansfield Jr: Florida serial killer confesses to kidnapping and killing Carol Ann Barrett in 1980

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

JACKSON VILLE, FLORIDA: Billy Mansfield Jr, a famous serial killer, has acknowledged killing a sixth woman over 40 years ago, according to authorities.

On X, the former Twitter platform, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office announced that Mansfield had admitted to taking and murdering 18-year-old Carol Ann Barrett in March 1980 while she was on spring break in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, with her high school pals.

Billy Mansfield confessed to the abduction and murder

Barrett was kidnapped from her motel at two in the morning, and the following day, she was found in Jacksonville, close to a highway ditch.

Although her murderer was never apprehended, Mansfield was eventually named as a suspect by police when their case was reopened in 2017.

"In September of 2022, after multiple interviews spanning two years, Billy Mansfield advised that he was in fact the suspect in the police sketch completed following the abduction,” police said.

"He went on to confess to the abduction from the Daytona Beach Shores hotel, as well as to her murder shortly thereafter.”

Mansfield, who is currently serving four concurrent life sentences in Florida for separate murders and a life sentence for murder in California, was decided not to be prosecuted by the police.

Mansfield's life sentence is to be served in prison for his sex crimes and murders. Parole has been denied to him several times.

In Spring Hill, Florida, his family's home, four of his victims were buried. In 1980, the body of a woman he had killed was found in Watsonville, California.

According to The Messenger, The Mansfield police department reported on Thursday that the man "continues to cooperate with detectives in other jurisdictions regarding additional Cold Cases."

Internet reacts

As soon as the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office shared the news on platform X, the internet started reacting and a few had questioned the department.

One asked, "6 murders? So he's a serial killer already known about? Did he contact y'all about the murder? Or did you somehow have DNA or suspicion he was in the area at the time she was taken? Either way, I'm glad her family has closure and Carol Ann Barrett has received justice for what happened to her."

Another one shared prayers for the victim's family, "I hope and prayer her family can get some closure."

A third commentator prayed, "Finally her family has closure. May she Rest In Peace."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.