robert joseph long (october 14, 1953 – may 23, 2019), also known as bobby joe long, was an american serial killer and rapist. he abducted, sexually assaulted and murdered at least 10 women in the tampa bay area in florida during an eight-month period in 1984. for the murder of one of victims, michelle sims, he was sentenced to death. according to the florida department of corrections, long had one five-year sentence, four 99-year sentences, 28 life sentences and one death sentence. he was born in kenova, west virginia.