Cops believe they've locked up a serial killer who smothered nearly two dozen elderly women in a sick spree that lasted just two years.

Billy Chemirmir was charged with the murders of 12 women in 2019 and multiple civil suits have linked him to the deaths of 10 others in Texas, authorities said.

9 Billy Chemirmir has allegedly killed 22 elderly women in at least two Texas counties Credit: Dallas County Sheriff's Office

9 The 46-year-old smothered 81-year-old Lu Thi Harris to death in March 2018, police said Credit: Restland Funeral Home

The 46-year-old's alleged death count of 22 victims is higher than that of notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.

He's accused of smothering his alleged victims before swiping their jewelry and other prized possessions from their apartments.

The accused killer allegedly posed as a healthcare worker and used his experience in the field to target and exploit senior citizens, Law enforcement officials said at the time.

It's unknown when he entered the US and if he did so legally, Newsweek reported.

Chemirmir has been jailed for murder since March 2018 after police found Lu Thi Harris dead inside her Dallas home.

9 Chemirmir's alleged death count is higher than that of notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer Credit: Police Handout

9 The family of Miriam Nelson, 81, have filed a lawsuit pinning Chemirmir to her murder Credit: Dallas County Court Records

9 Norma French, 85, was found dead in June 2016 Credit: Legacy.com

Police said the 81-year-old's body "had what appeared to be lipstick smeared on her mouth, and a pillow on her bed also had lipstick smears," indicating that she was smothered, according to a police affidavit.

That same month, the accused murderer forced his way into the apartment of a 91-year-old woman, telling her: "go to bed. Don't fight me," according to a different arrest affidavit filed in Collin County.

The woman survived the attack and was able to provide a description of the intruder to cops, who then used suspicious vehicle and suspicious person reports to identify Chemirmir.

On Tuesday, a lawsuit filed in Plano pinned him to the murder of Miriam Nelson, who told staff at her retirement home in March 2018 that an intruder had entered her apartment.

Two days after she notified staff, the 81-year-old was found smothered to death inside her home.

9 A map of where and when some of Chemirmir's alleged victims were killed Credit: Dallas County Court Records

9 Doris Gleason, 92, died at the Preston Place retirement home in October 2016 Credit: Dallas County Court Records

Chemirmir is accused of having killed people in at least two Texas counties, including 91-year-old Phyllis Payne in May 2016, police records obtained by the Dallas News show.

He'll face trial in April 2021, according to a court document filed Friday.

Chemirmir has been indicted on 12 counts of capital murder and faces the death penalty for the killing of at least two alleged victims: Harris and Payne.

9 Chemirmir could face the death penalty for the killing of 91-year-old Phyllis Payne Credit: Legacy.com

9 Ann Conklin, 82, was allegedly robbed and killed by Chemirmir at the Preston Place retirement community in March 2018 Credit: Dallas County Court Records

MOST READ IN NEWS ‘CHILDHOOD RUINED’ Art Attack had ‘secret sex message’ written on talking head LEG IT Thought Britain was free from biting spiders? Here are the species to watch out for. SHAKE-UP Emmerdale cast 2020: Who is new and who's leaving? TRAGIC CIRCUMSTANCES About Sophie Gradon's boyfriend Aaron Armstrong, who has passed away FAIRGROUND ATTRACTION Asda has launched candy floss-flavoured GRAPES RAN-NING UP THAT HILL Who is Anita Rani, her husband Bhupi Rehal and do they have children?

The accused murderer has maintained his innocence since he was first arrested in 2018.

In addition to the murder charges, he's being held on a charge of being in the country illegally.

Chemirmir is behind bars at the Dallas County Jail in place of an $11.6 million bail, the Dallas News reported.

Elderly woman 'split in two' when hit by garbage truck while crossing New York street

Do you have a story for The US Sun team?

Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552.