Edward Ray Stokes

Edward Ray Stokes was an abductor who briefly appeared in Bully.

History
Because "Bully" was mainly focused on Ronald James Underwood, almost nothing is known about Stokes, although it was stated that he had a mother who triggered his actions in some way. Sometime prior to the episode, he abducted a woman named Sheryl, who possibly resembled his mother, and took her to the basement of his home, holding her captive. It is unknown if he killed anyone prior to this abduction. In "Bully", Stokes was first seen entering his basement and taking Sheryl out of the wooden box he kept her in. He then attempted to kiss her (possibly indicating he was planning on raping her), but she tried to tear away from him. Then, Stokes and Sheryl heard footsteps on the upper floor; Stokes promptly chained Sheryl up and took out a revolver. Just then, Blake, Rossi, Reid, and several police officers burst into the room, and Stokes holds Sheryl at gunpoint. Blake tries to reason with him, saying that Sheryl is not his mother, but he refuses to listen and begins firing, hitting Blake in the arm. Rossi returned fire, killing Stokes instantly and saving Sheryl. Later, when Blake's father Damon calls her and the rest of the BAU over to Kansas City to investigate Underwood's killings, Blake refused to tell her family that she had been shot. By the end of the episode, her brother Scott learns that she was shot by Stokes, and he cites it as one of many reasons that she should get into contact with him or Damon at least once. Blake then apologized for not contacting them for several years, stating that if she does, she would be reminded of her deceased mother and brother. The two then make amends.

Modus Operandi
Because Stokes wasn't the prominent unsub of the episode, almost nothing is known about his M.O. What is known from his brief scene in the episode was that he targeted at least one woman who likely resembled his mother, keeping her captive in his basement inside a wooden box. The only time Stokes showed any murderous intent was when he shot at Blake with a revolver.

Profile
No profile of Stokes was made by the BAU, since the episode was mainly focused on Underwood. However, it can be implied from his brief scene that he was projecting his mother's image onto his victim so he could effectively lash out at her.

Known Victims

 * Sheryl
 * Alex Blake
 * Note: Because no specific details were revealed about Stokes's crimes, it is unknown if he actually killed any victims prior to abducting Sheryl.

Appearances

 * Season Nine
 * "Bully"