Overview: Joel David Rifkin (born January 20 1959) is an American serial killer convicted of the murder of nine women (although it is believed he killed as many as 17 ), mostly drug addicted prostitutes, between 1989 and 1993 in New York City. Although Rifkin often hired prostitutes in Brooklyn and Manhattan, he lived in East Meadow, a suburban town on Long Island. During his trial, Rifkin was represented by Mineola-based attorney John Lawrence.