Serial Killer News - Issue #4

Monday, January 21, 2008

MARION, Ill. — Confessed serial killer Timothy Krajcir, 63, has admitted in court to the 1981 attempted murder of 51-year-old Ida White. The crime was initially pinned on a man named Grover Thompson, who received a 40-year prison sentence for the crime. Unfortunately, Thompson died while behind bars. Last week, Pennsylvania authorities charged Krajcir with the 1979 rape and murder of a 51-year-old woman. In December 2007, Krajcir, who was already serving a 40-year prison sentence for a 1982 murder, confessed to killing eight women in Illinois and Missouri.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

DAYTONA BEACH, FL. – Police have set up a toll-free hot line for taking tips in the Daytona Beach serial killer case. “I don't know exactly how many calls investigators have taken, but we're getting some good tips,” Daytona Police Chief Mike Chitwood told News-journalonline.com. “We just need people to keep coming forward who may know something.” According to Chitwood, police have positively linked the recent murder of 30-year-old Stacy Gage to the deaths of three prostitutes in 2006. Last week police assembled a task force to track down the killer and Crime Stoppers announced an $11,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. Anyone with information is asked to call (888) 277-TIPS.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

CHANDIGARH, India – The Punjab and Haryana High Court has upheld convicted serial killer Satish Kumar’s life sentence. Kumar has been behind bars for the last ten years, following his conviction in the rape and murder of nine girls, all of who were under the age of ten. With today’s ruling, Kumar will have to serve a minimum of 20 years behind bars before he is eligible for parole.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

BANGALORE, India – Police recently arrested 48-year-old Chandrakant Sharma, a local businessman, his wife and son, in a murder case. Police now say Sharma has confessed to a series of other murders, dating back 15 years. “He has made startling revelations saying he's committed 20 murders in Maharashtra,” Joint Commissioner Gopal Hosur told Ibnlive.com. “So a team is being sent to Maharashtra. It could be that all of it is false. However, it is also necessary to verify and find out since these murders are supposed to have taken place 10-15 years back.” The investigation continues.

Friday, January 25, 2008

AUSTRALIA – In 1981, John Alan Wilde, 45, was arrested and convicted for a string of rapes and home invasions. Released in 1993, Wilde was jailed less than two weeks later for the rape of a Sydney woman. For his crime he was sentenced to 16 years in jail. In November, Wilde’s maximum jail term expired, however he was not released because of a series of interim detention orders. NSW Attorney-General John Hatzistergos recently asked that Wilde serve an additional two years behind bars, citing Wilde’s propensity towards violence. After reviewing the case this week, Justice Derek Price ruled that Wilde remain in jail for another eight months, to undergo rehabilitative treatment. Wilde will now be eligible for release in September.

Trivia:

Last Week’s Question and Answer:

Q: How many nurses did Richard Speck kill and how many got away?

A: Eight were killed and only one escaped.

Marguerite Ahl was the first person to send in the correct answer. Congratulations Marguerite! This week Marguerite asks readers:

What was Richard O. Macek's nickname?

The first person to send in the correct answer will have his or her name listed in next week’s edition of Serial Crimes and will have the opportunity to pose the next trivia question.

Serial Killer News - Issue #3

Monday, January 14, 2008



MUHLENBURG, PA. — Authorities have charged confessed serial killer Timothy Krajcir, 63, with the 1979 rape and murder of a 51-year-old woman. According to the arrest avadavat, Krajcir entered the woman’s house under the guise of a police officer and then sexually assaulted and murdered her. Nonetheless, Krajcir may never face the charges. Earlier this month, Governor Rod Blagojevich rejected a request by prosecutors in Missouri to extradite Krajcir until he faced murder charges in Williamson County. In December, Krajcir, who was already serving a 40-year prison sentence for a 1982 murder, confessed to killing eight other women in Illinois and Missouri.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

IPSWICH, England — Opening arguments in the trial of suspected serial killer Steve Wright, 49, began today. In December 2006, police arrested Wright after DNA evidence and security camera footage linked him to at least one of the Suffolk Strangler victims. Shortly thereafter, Wright was charged in four other murder cases. During his arraignment hearing at Ipswich Crown Court, Wright pled not guilty to each of the murder charges.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

NEW ORLEANS, LA. – In a unanimous decision, the state Supreme Court has upheld the murder conviction and death sentence of Derrick Todd Lee, 38. In 2004, Lee was convicted in the first-degree murder of LSU student Charlotte Murray Pace. According to police, they have DNA evidence that links Lee to the murders of six other women in the Baton Rouge and Lafayette areas, however he has yet to be tried on those cases.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

DAYTONA BEACH, FL. – Police have assembled a task force to track down the killer responsible for the murder of 30-year-old Stacy Gage earlier this month. Police believe the suspect is a serial killer, who is also responsible for the murders of three prostitutes in 2006. “This is a sick, sadistic animal scumbag that's out there preying upon members of our community,” Daytona Police Chief Michael Chitwood told Myfoxorlando.com last week. Crime Stoppers is offering an $11,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. Anyone with information is asked to call (888) 277-TIPS.

Friday, January 18, 2008

DRAPER, UT. – The state Board of Pardons and Parole has extended confessed serial rapist Blaine Hogge Nelson's prison term through the rest of his natural life. The parole board said they came to their decision after an October interview with Nelson. In 1987, Nelson was given multiple sentences of five years-to-life and 15 years-to-life, following his confessions that he committed at least 70 rapes across the United States, 20 of which occurred in the state of Utah.

Trivia:

Last Week’s Question and Answer:

Q: What was the make and model of the vehicle most often associated with serial killer Ted Bundy?

A: Volkswagen Bug (Beetle)

Shannon Payne was the first person to send in the correct answer. Congratulations Shannon! This week Shannon asks readers:

How many nurses did Richard Speck kill and how many got away?

The first person to send in the correct answer will have his or her name listed in next week’s edition of Serial Crimes and will have the opportunity to pose the next trivia question.

Serial Killer News - Issue #2

Monday, January 07, 2008

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Homicide investigators have arrested 29-year-old Davey Mato Butorac in the murder of two prostitutes after finding DNA evidence in his car. Investigators are now trying to determine if Butorac is responsible for other murders. “We are looking at him linked to other homicides,” RCMP Cpl. Dale Carr, of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, said during a press conference. “How many? It is so early to tell … There is a possibility of just about anything. We want to ensure we go through this very slowly and methodically and make sure we don't miss anything.” According to Carr, his department began investigating Butorac as a possible suspect last fall. “Investigators set up around-the-clock surveillance on the suspect to ensure public safety while they actively continued the investigation to gather additional evidence,” Carr said. In October, investigators obtained a search warrant for Butorac’s residence and his vehicle, a 1990 white Chevrolet Cavalier. DNA evidence found in the vehicle connected Butorac to the 2007 murders of Gwendolyn Jo Lawton and Sheryl Lynn Koroll. Following Butorac’s arrest, prosecutors charged him with two counts of second-degree murder. He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 18.

DAYTONA BEACH, FL. – Police suspect a body found near the 1600 block of Hancock Boulevard last week may be the victim of a serial killer. According to Daytona Police Chief Michael Chitwood, there are obvious similarities between this murder and the killings of three prostitutes from 2006. “This is a sick, sadistic animal scumbag that's out there preying upon members of our community,” Chitwood told Myfoxorlando.com. The most recent victim has been identified as 30-year-old Stacy Gage, a known drug user. Stacy was last seen driving a 1998 white Plymouth Voyager. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at (888) 277-8477.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

BANGALORE, India – Last week investigators arrested a 43-year-old woman whom they suspect is India’s first known female serial killer. Since that time police have received several complaints about the suspect, including a report by one woman who claims that her sister was with the suspect when she went missing two years-ago. “[The suspect] has not disclosed some information. She has only disclosed information about six cases. Now, three more are missing. At some point, she may have to undergo brain mapping or polygraph or even narco analysis,” Joint Commissioner Gopal Hosur said in an interview with Ibnlive.com. According to police, the suspect, identified only as Mallika, used cyanide to murder at least six women.

HOLLYWOOD – Zodiac [2-Disc Director's Cut] is now available on DVD. According to Dean Winkelspecht, a movie reviewer for DVDtown.com, the DVD contains previously unreleased footage, however Winkelspecht warns the additions do not include “anything radical when compared to the theatrical release.”

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Investigators have exhumed the body of notorious serial killer Belle “the Black Widow” Gunness, so they can compare DNA from the body to cells from letters Gunness had sent to possible suitors. In 1908, the headless body of a woman was found in the basement of Gunness’ burned-out farmhouse. For nearly 100 years historians have speculated on whether the body was in fact Gunness or was part of an elaborate plan so she could escape undetected. “Gunness has got to be the most prolific female serial killer in history,” Andrea Simmons, the lead forensic researcher, said in an interview with Livescience.com. “She clearly killed 25 people, arguably 40, in less than a decade but we're not sure when she died. We're trying to put a lid on this case.” Simmons said if all goes well her lab should have the results by April. “I'm just waiting for the science to tell whether or not the body belongs to Belle,” Simmons said. “If she did die in that farmhouse fire, it raises a lot of questions of how it all happened. If not, we can say this serial killer fled in the night, faked her death and probably led a full life.”

Thursday, January 10, 2008

WICHITA, KS — A documentary film about the 1974 murder of the Otero family by BTK serial killer Dennis Rader is scheduled to premiere at the Orpheum Theatre on Feb. 25. According to Imdb.com, the film, “Feast of the Assumption: The Otero Family Murders” is about “a living victim's personal journey through one of the most unique serial killer cases in U.S. history.” Tickets for the film are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Surviving family member Charlie Otero is scheduled to make an appearance at the film’s debut.

Friday, January 11, 2008



New Westminster, British Columbia – Attorneys for convicted serial killer Robert Picton, 58, have filed an appeal against his recent murder convictions. In December, a jury found Pickton guilty on six counts of second-degree murder, in the deaths of Sereena Abotsway, 29; Mona Wilson, 26; Andrea Joesbury, 22; Brenda Wolfe, 30; Georgina Papin, 34, and Marnie Frey, 23. The following day, Justice James Williams sentenced Pickton to life in prison with no parole eligibility for 25 years. According to Pickton’s attorneys, the judge made several errors when he instructed the jury and allowed inadmissible evidence. The prosecution is also appealing, in an effort to make Pickton face a new trial on 26 counts of first-degree murder.

Trivia:

Last Week’s Question and Answer:

Q: What did the media nickname the killer couple Paul Bernardo and Karla HomolkaQ: What did the media nickname the killer couple Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka?

A: Ken & Barbie

Christine MacDougall was the first person to send in the correct answer. Congratulations Christine! This week Christine asks readers:

What was the make and model of the vehicle most often associated with serial killer Ted Bundy?

The first person to send in the correct answer will have his or her name listed in next week’s edition of Serial Crimes and will have the opportunity to pose the next trivia question.

Serial Killer News - Issue #1

Monday, December 31, 2007

LANZHOU, China – Convicted killer Ran Zhouping, 32, has been sentenced to death following his confession that he committed a series of murders dating back to 2002. Zhouping, who was already serving a life sentence for the 2002 murder of a prostitute, admitted to the 2001 murders of a mother and her four children, the shooting death of a farmer, and the fatal stabbing of a taxi driver. Zhouping said he would not appeal the decision.

Tuesday, January 01, 2007

BANGALORE, India – Investigators have arrested a 43-year-old woman whom they suspect is India’s first female serial killer. According to police, the suspect, identified only as Mallika, used cyanide to murder at least six women. “So far, we have detected six such murders, one of which was committed way back in 1999, and the remaining five that happened in the last two months of 2007,” City Police Commissioner N Achuta Rao told Dnaindia.com. “It appears that she has committed the cold-blooded murders single handedly. We have yet to trace any accomplices and determine whether she was involved in more offences or committed more such murders,” he added.

Wednesday, January 02, 2007

CHICAGO, IL — Members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) community suspect that a serial killer is targeting them following the recent murders of two gay men. The first victim, Larry Bland, 24, was shot to death on November 17, 2007, inside his home. Approximately five weeks later, on December 23, 2007, Donald Young, 47, was also shot to death in his home on Chicago’s south side. Friends of the men have described them both as openly gay. “We are concerned the police department has not issued a necessary community alert,” Marc Loveless from the Coalition for Justice and Respect said in an interview with NBC5.com. In response, Dana Starks, acting superintendent of the city’s police department, said, “We normally would not put out a community alert unless there was some type of activity leading us to believe there was a serial incident.” As of this writing, there is no evidence that the two cases are connected.

Thursday, January 03, 2007

MARION, IL — Governor Rod Blagojevich has rejected a request by prosecutors in Missouri to extradite confessed serial killer Timothy Krajcir, 63, until he faces murder charges in Williamson County. In December, Krajcir, who was already serving a 40-year prison sentence for a 1982 murder, confessed to killing eight other women in Illinois and Missouri.

Friday, January 04, 2007

CROWTHORNE, England — According to sources at Broadmoor Hospital, convicted serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, 61, has announced plans to sue the hospital following injuries he received there last month when a fellow patient stabbed him in the face with a knife. Roughly ten years ago, Sutcliffe received £196,000 in compensation after he lost an eye in a similar incident. “This time, the knife missed Sutcliffe’s eye and bounced off his cheekbone—there was a lot of blood. Half an inch higher, and he’d be blind,” an unnamed source said in an interview with Thesun.co.uk, adding, “He has made it quite clear that he would be looking at taking legal action for what happened.” Sutcliffe is currently serving a life sentence for the murders of over a dozen women.

Trivia:

This Week’s Question:

Q: What did the media nickname the killer couple Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka?

The first person to send in the correct answer will have his or her name listed in next week’s edition of Serial Killer News Briefs and will have the opportunity to pose the next trivia question.