Births

Freddie Foreman

1932 – Freddie Foreman – is a former English gangster and publican, widely recognized for his association with the notorious Kray twins. His criminal career spanned from the 1950s to the 1980s, during which he became a prominent figure in London’s gangland.  Foreman’s early life was marked by his birth to Herbert Edward Foreman, and he quickly became involved in the criminal underworld. He earned the nickname “Brown Bread Fred” for his reputed ability to dispose of bodies, a skill that made him invaluable to the Kray twins’ gang, The Firm. His involvement with the Krays led to his participation in the disposal of Jack “The Hat” McVitie’s body, a crime for which he was later sentenced to ten years in prison.  Throughout his life, Foreman faced multiple convictions and served a total of 16 years behind bars. His criminal activities included handling proceeds from the Security Express robbery in Shoreditch, East London, in 1983, which was the largest cash robbery in the UK at the time. In his autobiography, “Respect,” Foreman also admitted to the murders of Frank “Mad Axeman” Mitchell and Tommy “Ginger” Marks as revenge for the shooting of his brother.  Despite his criminal past, Foreman’s later years saw him take a step back from crime. A biopic documentary directed by his son Jamie, titled “Fred,” was released in 2018, offering a somber and intimate look at Foreman’s life towards the end of his criminal career.  Freddie Foreman’s personal life includes his marriage to Maureen Foreman, with whom he has three children, including actor Jamie Foreman. He has also authored several books, sharing his experiences and insights into the criminal world he once inhabited. As of recent reports, Foreman was living in a nursing home, estranged from his family and without money, marking a quiet end to the once-feared gangster’s tumultuous life.

1935 – Jose William Aranguren – also known as William Ángel Aranguren, was born on March 5, 1935, in Rovira, Colombia. He became infamous as a Colombian criminal, bandit, sex offender, and serial killer. His criminal activities spanned from 1956 to 1964, during which he was responsible for a series of ambushes, kidnappings, and murders.  Aranguren’s life took a dark turn after he started his criminal career by ambushing a truck from a tobacco company with his fellow gang members. This event marked the beginning of a crime spree that would terrorize the regions of Caldas, Cundinamarca, and Tolima in Colombia. He was directly responsible for the murders of 39 people in the village of La Italia, in Victoría, and was known to have committed many more crimes.  His modus operandi was brutal and ruthless, involving ambushes on sidewalks, estates, and highways where he kidnapped and murdered law enforcement officials, civilians, peasants, and even minors. He also sexually assaulted female victims and committed thefts whenever possible. Aranguren was driven by a desire for revenge for the murders of his father and brother, as well as the dispossession of his property, earning him the alias “Desquite.”  Aranguren’s reign of terror came to an end on March 17, 1964, when he was killed by law enforcement in Rosacruz, Venadillo, Colombia, at the age of 29. His life and crimes left a lasting impact on Colombian society and are remembered as a dark chapter in the country’s history.

1938 – James Henry Hampton – Hampton’s criminal activities came to national attention following a heinous crime committed on August 3, 1992. On that day, armed with a sawed-off shotgun, he broke into the residence of Ms. Frances Keaton in Warrenton, Missouri. Demanding $30,000 from Ms. Keaton and her fiancé Mr. Allen Mulholland, Hampton believed that Ms. Keaton had the money in a checking account for a real estate transaction, information he had learned through a real estate agent he had been staying with after his release from a federal prison in Illinois.  Hampton’s plan involved taking one of them hostage to ensure he would get the money. He decided to kidnap Ms. Keaton, warning Mr. Mulholland that any contact with the police would result in her death. Hampton claimed to have a police scanner and threatened to know if the authorities were searching for him. After leaving Mr. Mulholland tied up in the house, Hampton drove Ms. Keaton to the farm of the real estate agent. There, he blindfolded her, took her into a wooded area, and brutally murdered her by repeatedly striking her in the head with a hammer. He then buried her and burned all of her belongings.  Hampton’s criminal history did not end there. He fled the state and was apprehended in New Jersey on December 19, 1992, one day after he was featured on the television show “America’s Most Wanted.” Notably, as he was about to be taken into custody, Hampton shot himself in the head, resulting in a severe brain injury that destroyed a large part of the left frontal lobe of his brain. This injury reportedly led to seizures every four to six weeks and raised questions about his competency to stand trial and make legal decisions.  Despite these concerns, James Henry Hampton was sentenced to death in 1996 for the abduction and murder of Frances Keaton. He was executed on March 22, 2000, at the age of 62, after serving only four years on death row. His case remains a grim reminder of the consequences of violent crime and the complexities surrounding the death penalty and issues of mental competency.

1939 – David Michael Krueger – born Peter Woodcock on March 5, 1939, in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, was a Canadian serial killer and child rapist. His criminal activities began in the late 1950s when he was still a teenager and continued until his death in 2010.  Krueger’s early life was troubled. He was born to a 17-year-old factory worker who gave him up for adoption after breastfeeding him for a month. As an infant, he had feeding problems and cried constantly. He lived in various foster homes, unable to bond with any of his foster parents. After his first birthday, he became terrified of anybody approaching him, and his speech was incoherent, described as strange whining animal noises. He was also physically abused by at least one of his early foster parents.  At the age of 3, he was placed into a stable home with foster parents Frank and Susan Maynard, an upper-middle-class couple with another son. Despite their efforts, Woodcock remained socially maladjusted and became the target of neighborhood bullies. He received extensive treatment at the Hospital for Sick Children but failed to make friends or interact successfully with his peers.  As a teenager, Woodcock would often wander from his home by foot, bicycle, or train to parts of Toronto, where he would molest dozens of children and ultimately murder three. His victims were Wayne Mallette, Gary Morris, and Carole Voyce. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity for his crimes and was sent to a psychiatric facility.  In 1982, he legally changed his name to David Michael Krueger. Despite being placed in experimental treatment programs for psychopathy, those treatments proved ineffective when he murdered a fellow psychiatric patient in 1991 on his first day of unsupervised release from the psychiatric institution. He was being supervised on the pass by Bruce Hamill, a former patient who killed an elderly Ottawa woman in 1984. Hamill was an accomplice in the Brockville murder, and both men were subsequently returned to Oak Ridge.  David Michael Krueger died on March 5, 2010, in Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada. His life and crimes have been the subject of various books and analyses, and he is remembered as one of Canada’s most notorious criminals.

1947 – Ottis Toole – His life was marked by a series of traumatic experiences from an early age, including being raised by an alcoholic father who abandoned the family and an abusive mother who would dress him in girls’ clothing and call him Susan. Toole was a victim of sexual abuse and forced incest by various relatives and acquaintances, which deeply affected his psychological development.  Toole’s grandmother, a self-proclaimed Satanist, exposed him to Satanic practices and rituals, further contributing to his troubled upbringing. He suffered from mild intellectual disability, with an IQ of 75, and also had epilepsy, which led to frequent grand mal seizures. These challenges, combined with his environment, led Toole to frequently run away from home and engage in arson, a crime that he found sexually arousing.  As a teenager, Toole realized he was gay and began visiting gay bars and engaging in prostitution. His criminal activities escalated over time, and at the age of 14, he committed his first murder. Toole’s life of crime continued into adulthood, where he formed a partnership with Henry Lee Lucas. The two embarked on a series of crimes across the United States, including murder.  Toole was eventually arrested and convicted of six counts of murder, among other crimes. He and Lucas confessed to over a hundred murders, including the high-profile case of Adam Walsh, the son of “America’s Most Wanted” host John Walsh. However, many of these confessions were later recanted, casting doubt on the veracity of their claims.  Despite receiving two death sentences, Toole’s sentences were commuted to life imprisonment on appeal. He died in prison on September 15, 1996, from cirrhosis at the age of 49. Toole’s life and crimes have been the subject of much speculation and analysis, with some questioning whether he was truly a serial killer or merely a pawn used by law enforcement to close unsolved cases. His legacy remains a cautionary tale of how a confluence of personal trauma, mental health issues, and societal neglect can lead to a life of infamy.

1948 – Calvin Jackson – is an American serial killer born on March 5, 1948, in Buffalo, New York. He grew up in a poor family in an urban area populated by other impoverished black families. During his teenage years, Jackson became addicted to drugs and dropped out of school after the 10th grade, leading him into a life of crime.  In October 1965, at the age of 17, Jackson was arrested for robbery and sentenced to 5 years in prison, which he served at the Elmira Correctional Facility. After being paroled in the late 1960s, he moved to New York City, where he met and married Valerie Coleman. Struggling with discipline, Jackson found it difficult to secure stable employment, leading him to commit thefts and other crimes to support himself.  Jackson’s criminal activities continued, and he was arrested multiple times for drug possession and theft, resulting in short prison terms. In early 1972, he and his partner moved into the Park Plaza Hotel in Manhattan’s West Side, an area known for poverty and crime. After overcoming his drug addiction, Jackson took a job as a porter, and those who knew him at the time spoke positively of him.  However, between 1973 and 1974, Jackson committed a series of heinous crimes. He targeted single women between the ages of 39 and 79, smothering them with a pillow during robberies and then engaging in necrophilia with their corpses. Most of his victims lived at the Park Plaza Hotel, where he worked. The killings were initially considered natural deaths or accidents until Jackson was arrested and confessed to the murders.  On September 12, 1974, Jackson was apprehended, and in July 1976, he was convicted and sentenced to four life imprisonment terms with the possibility of parole. His crimes shocked the community and highlighted the dangers lurking in the city’s impoverished areas. Calvin Jackson remains imprisoned at Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, New York, serving his sentence for the murders of nine women.

1949 – James Russell – known for his sweet-talking charm and charisma, led a life that veered into the shadows of criminality. His story is a stark reminder of how a person’s outward demeanor can mask a much darker nature.  Russell’s life took a tragic turn when he was implicated in the abduction and murder of Thomas Stearns, a young man set to testify against him in a robbery case. The crime, marked by its brutality, shocked the community and ultimately led to Russell’s downfall. Stearns, a diligent student at the University of Houston, was cruelly taken from his family, leaving behind a young wife and daughter.  Despite his early misdemeanors, which included petty theft and vandalism, Russell’s criminal record escalated to more serious offenses. His grandmother, a constant presence in his life, often intervened to extricate him from trouble. However, her unconditional love may have inadvertently shielded him from the consequences of his actions, culminating in a crime that she could not resolve.  The investigation into Stearns’ murder spanned three years, during which time Russell faced a robbery conviction that was later overturned. Nevertheless, this interim period allowed law enforcement to strengthen their case against him. The jury’s swift verdict and sentence reflected the gravity of his actions.  Throughout his trial and even in his final moments, Russell maintained his innocence, attributing his predicament to poor associations rather than personal guilt. His execution by lethal injection brought an end to a saga that had persisted for nearly two decades.  The emotional toll of Russell’s actions extended beyond his own life, deeply affecting his grandmother, who passed away shortly after his execution. Her unwavering belief in his innocence suggests a heartache that may have contributed to her demise.  Russell’s story is a complex tapestry of love, loyalty, and the devastating impact of unchecked behavior. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of accountability and the far-reaching consequences of crime.

1955 – Carl Johnson Jr – On the 6th of October, 1978, Johnson, alongside an associate, attempted to rob a family-operated grocery store in the northwest region of Houston. Johnson later stated that Ed Thompson, a 75-year-old security guard, drew his firearm and fired at him.  Despite having no prior criminal record, Johnson discharged his weapon five times in response, asserting that he did not aim to fatally injure the guard. In a plea deal for a lesser sentence, Johnson’s accomplice provided testimony against him, resulting in a conviction and a subsequent 40-year prison term.

1959 – David Michael Clark – He became infamous for his role in a robbery that resulted in the murders of Beverly Benninghoff and Charles Gears. The crime took place on February 18, 1987, in Brazos County, Texas. Clark’s method of murder involved both shooting and stabbing with a knife.  Clark’s criminal activities culminated in his arrest just two days after the murders. Despite the severity of his actions, Clark’s case was marked by a rapid legal process that led to his execution by lethal injection in Texas on February 28, 1992.  Throughout his trial and the events leading up to his execution, Clark did not make a last statement. However, records indicate that as he lay awaiting execution, he praised the Lord and appeared to be praying. His case raised questions about the effectiveness of legal representation for indigent defendants and the swift pace of capital punishment proceedings.

1960 – Windell Broussard – He became known for the tragic events of April 24, 1992, in Jefferson County, Texas, where he fatally stabbed his ex-wife, Dianna Broussard, and her 10-year-old son, Corey Harris. The attack also injured Broussard’s stepdaughter, Tocarra Harris, who survived.  Broussard was arrested on the same day as the murders. He had a history of prior convictions, including aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and assault. At the time of the murders, he was on parole.  His trial revealed a history of domestic violence, and a week before the murders, he had threatened to kill his ex-wife. On the night of the murders, Broussard’s aunt testified that he came home in a state of agitation, admitting to having killed someone.  Windell Broussard was executed by lethal injection in Texas on January 30, 2002. His final words expressed the sentiment that the events leading to his execution were a tragedy.

1963 – Joe Exotic – is an American former zoo operator and convicted felon. He was born on March 5, 1963, in Garden City, Kansas. Joe Exotic gained notoriety for running the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma, which he managed from 1999 until 2018.  His life has been a rollercoaster of high-profile events. He ventured into politics, running for President of the United States in 2016 as an independent candidate and for Governor of Oklahoma in 2018 as a Libertarian. His presidential campaign, though unconventional, caught the eye of the media.  In 2019, Joe Exotic found himself on the wrong side of the law when he was convicted on multiple counts of animal abuse and two counts of attempted murder-for-hire targeting Carole Baskin, a big-cat rights activist, and his long-time adversary. He received a 22-year prison sentence, which was later reduced by one year.  Joe Exotic’s saga was thrust into the international spotlight with the release of the “Tiger King” documentary series, which chronicled his zookeeping career and his contentious relationship with Baskin. The series sparked global conversations about the private ownership of exotic animals and the ethical implications involved.  Despite being behind bars, Joe Exotic’s presence in the public sphere persists. He announced his intention to run for President again in 2024, this time as a Democrat. His life, particularly the ethical treatment of animals at his former zoo, remains a hot topic of discussion and critique.  Joe Exotic’s personal life has also been subject to public scrutiny, especially his open homosexuality and his various partnerships. Health concerns have also been a part of his narrative, with reports indicating that he has been battling cancer.  Joe Exotic is a figure shrouded in controversy, with a life story marked by ambition, legal battles, and personal struggles. His influence on American pop culture and the discourse on animal rights is significant and continues to evoke strong opinions and debates.

1964 – Bertrand Cantat – is a French musician and former frontman of the rock band Noir Désir. Born on March 5, 1964, in Pau, France, Cantat became a significant figure in the French music scene during the 1990s, known for his songwriting, singing, and charismatic stage presence.  Cantat’s early life was spent in various locations due to his father’s naval career, eventually settling in Bordeaux during his adolescence. It was there, at the lycée Saint-Genès, that he met future bandmates Denis Barthe, Serge Teyssot-Gay, and Frédéric Vidalenc, with whom he would form Noir Désir.  Noir Désir achieved considerable success and is credited with shaping the French rock scene for three decades. Cantat’s lyrics and performances drew comparisons to iconic figures like Jim Morrison of The Doors.  In 1997, Cantat married Krisztina Rády, an art director of Hungarian descent, and they had two children together. However, Cantat’s life took a tragic turn in 2003 when he was involved in the death of French actress Marie Trintignant in a hotel room in Vilnius, Lithuania. The incident resulted in Cantat being convicted of murder with indirect intent (dolus eventualis) and sentenced to prison.  After serving four years of his sentence, Cantat was released and returned to music, first with Noir Désir until its disbandment in 2010, and later as part of the musical duo Détroit with Pascal Humbert. Despite his attempts to continue his musical career, Cantat’s past actions have led to significant controversy and backlash, particularly in light of ongoing discussions about domestic violence and the treatment of women.  Cantat’s story is a complex one, marked by artistic achievement and personal tragedy, and it continues to evoke strong emotions and debate within the public sphere. His legacy in the music industry is intertwined with the darker aspects of his personal life, making him a polarizing figure in contemporary French culture.

1970 – Jaime Piero Cole – is a figure whose life story is marked by a tragic and violent event. Born on March 5, 1970, in Quito, Ecuador, Cole moved to the United States, where he would eventually become involved in a case that garnered significant media attention.  On February 4, 2010, in Houston, Texas, Cole was involved in a fatal incident that resulted in the deaths of his estranged wife, Melissa Dawn Cole, and her daughter, Alecia Desire Castillo. The altercation occurred when Cole was returning his sons to Melissa’s residence. A verbal argument ensued, and Cole shot both Melissa and Alecia multiple times with a .22 caliber pistol. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.  Cole was arrested shortly after the incident and gave two confessions. He was tried and convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death on November 23, 2011. The case highlighted issues of domestic violence and its devastating consequences.  Cole’s actions and the subsequent legal proceedings have had a lasting impact on the community and continue to raise awareness about the severity of domestic violence. His story serves as a stark reminder of how quickly situations can escalate and the importance of seeking help in volatile domestic situations. Cole remains on death row, and his case has been subject to various appeals and legal discussions over the years.

1972 – Richard Allen Masterson – was a man whose life story ended in tragedy and controversy. Born on March 5, 1972, Masterson’s early life was troubled, marked by abuse and a lack of formal education, as he dropped out of school after the sixth grade. His adult life was characterized by a series of run-ins with the law, including arrests in Georgia and Tennessee for burglary.  The most significant and defining event of Masterson’s life occurred on February 9, 2001, in Harris County, Texas. On that day, Masterson was involved in the death of Darin Shane Honeycutt, who performed under the stage name Brandi Houston. The incident took place after the two met at a bar and went back to Honeycutt’s apartment. According to reports, Masterson placed Honeycutt in a chokehold, leading to Honeycutt’s death. Following the incident, Masterson ransacked the apartment and fled in Honeycutt’s vehicle.  In the days following the crime, Masterson made statements suggesting he had killed someone, and he was eventually arrested in Florida while driving a different stolen vehicle. During an interview with a Houston police detective, Masterson confessed to killing Honeycutt, although he claimed that the chokehold was part of a consensual sex act that went wrong. Despite later claiming that his confession was not voluntary, Masterson was convicted and sentenced to death on May 15, 2002.  Richard Allen Masterson was executed by the state of Texas on January 20, 2016, at the age of 43. His case brought attention to issues such as the death penalty and the circumstances under which confessions are obtained. The story of Richard Allen Masterson serves as a somber reminder of the complexities of the criminal justice system and the irreversible consequences of capital punishment.

1974 – Willie Earl Pondexter Jr.’s life was a complex tapestry woven with hardship and a fateful crime that ultimately led to his execution. Born in the year 1975, Pondexter’s journey began in Idabel, Oklahoma, where he faced numerous challenges from an early age. His criminal record started during his juvenile years, and by the age of 19, he had dropped out of high school and fathered two children, all while remaining unmarried.  The most significant and tragic event in Pondexter’s life occurred on the night of October 28, 1993. Alongside accomplices Ricky Bell, James Bell, and Deon Williams, Pondexter engaged in a home invasion robbery that culminated in the murder of Martha Lennox, an 84-year-old resident of Clarksville, Texas. The robbery was marked by its brutality, with Lennox being shot twice in the head.  Following the crime, Pondexter was apprehended and charged with capital murder. Despite his defense’s argument that he was not the one who fired the fatal shots, he was convicted for his role in Lennox’s death. On March 3, 2009, at the age of 34, Pondexter’s life came to an end by lethal injection in Huntsville, Texas.  His case garnered attention not just for the nature of the crime but also for the subsequent legal proceedings. There were notable efforts by law students to obtain clemency for Pondexter, citing his exemplary behavior while on death row. However, these attempts did not sway the course of justice, and his execution proceeded as planned.  Pondexter’s narrative is a poignant reflection on the repercussions of criminal actions and the finality of the death penalty. His life story continues to spark conversations and debates surrounding the themes of justice, the possibility of redemption, and the moral implications of capital punishment.

Deaths

Lena Baker’s Headstone

1930 – Giannis & Thymios Retzos – were two brothers from Anogeio, Greece, whose lives took a dark turn into crime during the interwar period. Born in 1896 and 1899 respectively, they became notorious for a series of heinous crimes that terrorized the region of Epirus.  Their criminal activities began in earnest in 1917, following the discovery of their father’s murder. Seeking vengeance, Giannis, with the aid of Thymios, tracked down and killed the men responsible. This act set them on a path of lawlessness, and they soon gathered a group of accomplices, retreating to the mountains where they committed numerous kidnappings, murders, and robberies.  The Retzos brothers’ reign of terror included the kidnap-murders of several individuals, demanding ransoms that ranged from a few thousand to a million drachmas. Their criminal record was extensive, with newspapers of the time attributing up to 47 murders to them, while other sources suggested the number could be as high as 82.  In 1924, the brothers were captured but surprisingly granted amnesty, which allowed them to enter Ioannina amidst celebrations. They settled in a house near the gendarmerie’s local administration building, under the watchful eye of Colonel Petsetakis.  However, their freedom was short-lived. The Retzos brothers continued their criminal activities until their final arrest. On March 5, 1930, Giannis and Thymios Retzos met their fate when they were executed by firing squad in Corfu, Greece. Their story remains a grim chapter in the history of Greek crime, illustrating the brutal consequences of a life of violence and the ultimate price of justice.

1935 – Alonzo Robinson – born in 1895 in Cleveland, Mississippi, was an individual whose life story is marred by grave crimes and a notorious reputation. Known also by the alias James H. Coyner, Robinson’s criminal activities spanned from 1926 to 1934, during which he was suspected of being a grave robber, murderer, cannibal, and a potential serial killer.  Robinson’s criminal record began with his first arrest in 1918 for mailing obscene letters to women in his hometown. After escaping custody and sustaining a bullet injury, he moved to Ferndale, Michigan under his alias. It was here that Robinson became a suspect in the murder and decapitation of four women, although there was never enough evidence to convict him of these crimes.  His most infamous crime, however, was the murder of Mr. and Mrs. Aurelius B. Turner in Cleveland, Mississippi. On December 9, 1934, Robinson broke into the Turner home, where he attacked Mr. Turner with an axe while he was reading a newspaper and then shot him. Mrs. Turner was also struck multiple times with the axe, and Robinson went on to mutilate both bodies, keeping some of Mrs. Turner’s flesh.  Robinson’s downfall came when he was arrested on January 12, 1935, after authorities traced obscene letters back to his post office box. Upon his arrest, authorities found more obscene letters, Mr. Turner’s pocket watch, and disturbingly, a packet of human hair matching Mrs. Turner’s and portions of human flesh with bite marks.  Alonzo Robinson’s life ended on March 5, 1935, when he was executed by hanging for the murder of the Turners. His story is a chilling reminder of the depths of human depravity and the severe consequences that follow such heinous acts.

1945 – Lena Baker – was an African-American woman born on June 8, 1900, in Cuthbert, Georgia. She grew up in a family of sharecroppers and worked as a farm laborer from a young age. By the 1940s, Lena was a mother of three children and earned her living as a maid.  In 1944, Lena began working for Ernest Knight, an older white man who had broken his leg. Knight sexually assaulted Lena multiple times and held her against her will, effectively keeping her in a state of “near slavery.” The townspeople and Knight’s son disapproved of their relationship, and Baker faced threats because of it.  The situation escalated one night when an argument between Baker and Knight led to a struggle over his pistol. In an act of self-defense, Lena shot and killed Knight. She immediately reported the incident, claiming she had acted to protect herself.  Lena Baker was charged with capital murder and stood trial on August 14, 1944. Despite her testimony and the circumstances of the case, she was convicted by an all-white, male jury. On March 5, 1945, Lena Baker became the only woman in Georgia to be executed by electrocution.  Sixty years after her execution, in 2005, the state of Georgia granted Lena Baker a full and unconditional pardon, acknowledging the injustice of her conviction and execution. Her life story has been the subject of a biography and a feature film, both of which highlight the tragic events of her life, trial, and execution. Lena Baker’s legacy is a testament to the harsh realities of racial and social injustices of her time.

2006 – Richard Kuklinski – known as “The Iceman,” was born on April 11, 1935, in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was an American criminal and convicted murderer who was involved in criminal activities for most of his adult life. Kuklinski ran a burglary ring and distributed pirated pornography. He was convicted of committing at least five murders between 1980 and 1984.  Kuklinski lived with his wife and children in Dumont, New Jersey, where he was seen as a loving father and husband, despite having a violent temper. His criminal activities were unknown to his family. He earned the nickname “The Iceman” after authorities discovered that he had frozen the body of one of his victims to disguise the time of death.  His modus operandi often involved luring men to clandestine meetings with the promise of lucrative business deals, then killing them and stealing their money. He also killed two associates to prevent them from becoming informants.  Kuklinski’s criminal activities eventually caught the attention of law enforcement when an investigation into his burglary gang linked him to several murders. An eighteen-month-long undercover operation led to his arrest in December 1986. In 1988, he was convicted of four murders and sentenced to life imprisonment. In 2003, he received an additional 30-year sentence after confessing to the murder of a police officer.  While in prison, Kuklinski gave interviews in which he claimed to have murdered anywhere from 100 to 200 men, often in gruesome ways. However, none of these additional murders have been corroborated. He also claimed to have worked as a hitman for the Mafia and said he participated in several famous Mafia killings, including the disappearance and presumed murder of Teamsters’ president Jimmy Hoffa. Experts have expressed skepticism about Kuklinski’s claimed Mafia ties.  Richard Kuklinski passed away on March 5, 2006. His life and crimes have been the subject of several documentaries and a feature film titled “The Iceman.”

2012 – William Heirens – also known as the “Lipstick Killer,” was born on November 15, 1928, in Evanston, Illinois, U.S. He gained notoriety for his involvement in a series of crimes that led to his conviction for three murders in 1946. Heirens’s criminal moniker, the “Lipstick Killer,” originated from a message scrawled in lipstick at one of the crime scenes.  Heirens grew up in a troubled household in Lincolnwood, a suburb of Chicago, where he began committing crimes at a young age. At the age of 13, he was arrested for carrying a loaded gun, and a search of his home revealed a stash of stolen weapons and other items. Despite his criminal activities, Heirens was an exceptional student and was accepted into the University of Chicago’s special learning program.  The crimes that led to his infamy occurred between June 5, 1945, and January 7, 1946. Heirens was apprehended on June 26, 1946, and after a controversial interrogation process that included the use of sodium pentothal, known as the “truth serum,” he confessed to the murders. However, Heirens later recanted his confession, claiming it was coerced through police brutality and coercive interrogation.  Heirens was sentenced to life imprisonment and spent 65 years in prison, making him Illinois’ longest-serving prisoner at the time of his death. He spent his later years at the Dixon Correctional Center in Dixon, Illinois. Throughout his incarceration, Heirens maintained his innocence, and his case continued to draw attention and debate over the validity of his confession and the fairness of his trial. William Heirens passed away on March 5, 2012, at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, due to complications from diabetes. His life and the controversy surrounding his case have been the subject of various media, including a novel, a film, and a television series episode.

Events

Sean Sellers

1770 – Boston Massacre

1981 – The US government grants Atlanta $1 Million to search for “Black Boy” murderer

1985 – Mexican authorities find the body of US drug agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Salazar

1986 – Sean Sellers shot & killed his mother and father while they lay sleeping

1990 – Marta Kalas Reeves is murdered by the Green River Killer, Gary Ridgway

1994 – Singer Grace Slick is arrested for pointing a gun at a cop