Births
Heinrich Pommerenke
1937 – Heinrich Pommerenke – was a German serial killer who terrorized the Black Forest region in 1959. He holds the distinction of being the longest-serving prisoner in Germany at the time of his death. Pommerenke’s upbringing was marked by instability. His father died in World War II, and his mother abandoned him and his sibling in 1949. Raised by grandparents, Pommerenke’s first brush with violence came as a teenager when he committed a rape. This pattern continued after he completed an apprenticeship as a painter, leading him to flee East Germany for West Berlin. Apprehended by authorities, Pommerenke was eventually sent to live with his mother in Switzerland. 1959 became a year of terror in southwestern Germany. Pommerenke, known as “The Beast of the Black Forest,” embarked on a series of brutal crimes. He displayed a disturbing affinity for railways and train stations, targeting victims near these locations. These seemingly random attacks, along with the absence of a clear motive, hampered investigators for some time. The violence included robbery, murder attempts, and murders. Pommerenke’s capture in 1959 finally brought an end to the reign of terror. The investigation revealed the shocking scope of his crimes, many of which were initially not connected. He received a life sentence and spent the rest of his days behind bars, becoming Germany’s longest-serving prisoner. He died in 2008. The case of Heinrich Pommerenke serves as a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk within individuals. His crimes not only shattered the lives of his victims and their families but also cast a shadow of fear over the Black Forest region.
1948 – Metod Trobec – was a Slovenian serial killer whose crimes cast a dark shadow over the nation. He was a career criminal with a long history of misdeeds before escalating to murder. Born in 1948 in a small village, Trobec’s upbringing was marked by poverty and academic struggles. According to some accounts, he faced learning difficulties that prevented him from finishing primary school. Trobec’s criminal record began in 1967, and he continued on a path of petty crime for nearly a decade. The most horrific chapter of Trobec’s life unfolded between 1976 and 1978. During this period, he lured at least five women to a homestead in Dolenja Vas pri Polhovem Gradcu. There, he brutally murdered them before burning their remains in a stove. The sheer brutality of the killings left Slovenia in shock. Trobec’s crimes eventually caught up to him, and he was apprehended. He was initially sentenced to death, a punishment later commuted to 20 years imprisonment for the murders. However, Trobec wouldn’t serve his full sentence. In 1992, he was convicted of assaulting another inmate and received an additional 15 years. Trobec ended his own life by suicide in his prison cell in 2006. Metod Trobec’s crimes remain a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk within seemingly ordinary people. The case is often referenced in Slovenian media, a testament to the enduring impact of his actions.
1950 – Dr. Wouter Basson – is a South African cardiologist whose career has been deeply marked by controversy. On the one hand, he was a qualified medical professional, a cardiologist by training. Yet, he also served as the head of South Africa’s clandestine chemical and biological weapons program, Project Coast, during the apartheid era (1948-1994). This program’s activities violated international treaties and have been linked to human rights abuses. Basson earned the nickname “Dr. Death” in the press due to allegations surrounding his actions during apartheid. He was accused of involvement in the development of chemical and biological weapons, as well as potential assassinations. However, after a lengthy trial in the early 2000s, he was acquitted of all 67 charges against him. Following his acquittal, Basson returned to practicing cardiology. This decision by the medical council sparked further controversy, with some questioning the appropriateness of a doctor associated with such a dark program being allowed to resume medical practice. Basson’s story remains a complex and contested one. He represents the ethical tightrope some medical professionals walk in times of conflict. Is it ever justifiable for a doctor to develop weapons of mass destruction? This is a question that continues to be debated.
1953 – Peter Norris Dupas – is a notorious Australian serial killer currently serving multiple life sentences without parole. His crimes are marked by a long and escalating history of violence against women. Despite claims of a seemingly normal upbringing as the youngest child, Dupas’s criminal path began alarmingly early. At just 15, he violently attacked his neighbor with a knife. This incident foreshadowed the brutality that would define him. Throughout his life, Dupas has been in and out of prison for a string of sexual assaults and violent offenses. Each release seemed to be followed by a return to crime, with increasing levels of aggression. In 1974, he received a lengthy sentence for rape, but continued to offend soon after release. The 1980s saw a tragic escalation. Dupas is believed to have murdered three women, with a signature element of removing their breasts. These heinous acts solidified his status as a serial killer. Peter Norris Dupas remains incarcerated, a chilling reminder of the dangers posed by violent offenders. His case continues to be studied by criminologists seeking to understand the motivations behind such horrific acts.
1961 – Ronald Palmer Heath – Ronald Heath and his live-in girlfriend, Penny Powell, drove to Heath’s grandmother’s house in Jacksonville. After an argument, Powell returned to their residence in Douglas, Georgia, while Heath drove to Gainesville to visit friends, accompanied by his brother, Kenneth. On the evening of May 24, 1989, the brothers visited two of Heath’s friends who worked as waitresses at the Purple Porpoise Lounge. During the evening, they struck up a conversation with a traveling salesman named Sheridan. After buying the brothers a drink, Sheridan asked if they used marijuana. Heath suggested robbing Sheridan at an alternate location. Heath drove the trio in Kenneth’s vehicle to an isolated area in Alachua County. He parked on a dirt road, and they all exited the vehicle to smoke marijuana. Heath made a pistol gesture and asked Kenneth, “Did you get it?” Kenneth retrieved a small-caliber handgun from under the seat and pointed it at Sheridan, announcing the robbery. Sheridan refused to cooperate, and at Heath’s urging, Kenneth shot Sheridan once in the chest. As Sheridan began to hand over his possessions, Heath kicked him and stabbed him in the neck with a hunting knife, attempting unsuccessfully to slit his throat. Heath then instructed Kenneth to finish the job, and Kenneth shot Sheridan twice in the head. They moved Sheridan’s body deeper into the woods. Afterward, they returned to the Purple Porpoise and relocated Sheridan’s rental car, eventually burning it after taking some items. The next day, the brothers used Sheridan’s credit cards to purchase numerous items at a Gainesville mall. Various store clerks identified Heath from a photo lineup, despite Kenneth signing all the credit card slips. The brothers stopped using the credit cards after being asked biographical questions they couldn’t answer and returned to Jacksonville. They disposed of the handgun in the St. John’s River, though it was never recovered. Heath then returned to the trailer in Georgia he shared with Powell. Several weeks after the murder, Heath was arrested at his trailer for using the stolen credit cards. Officers, with Powell’s consent, searched the trailer and found several clothing items purchased with Sheridan’s credit cards, along with Sheridan’s watch. Both Ronald and Kenneth Heath were indicted for the first-degree murder and armed robbery of Sheridan. Additionally, they faced charges related to credit card forgeries. The cases were consolidated on November 6, 1990. Kenneth accepted a plea agreement, pleading guilty to the charges and agreeing to testify against Ronald. For the murder conviction, Kenneth received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for 25 years.
1969 – Christopher Scarver – is an American murderer infamous for killing another notorious murderer, Jeffrey Dahmer, while they were both incarcerated. Scarver’s upbringing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was marked by instability. He dropped out of high school and struggled with alcohol and marijuana abuse. A broken promise of full-time employment after a job training program further fueled his frustrations. In 1990, this culminated in a violent act – he shot and robbed his former supervisor and another employee. This crime landed him a life sentence. While serving his sentence at the Columbia Correctional Institution, Scarver encountered Jeffrey Dahmer, a serial killer responsible for the deaths of 17 men and boys. In 1994, during an unsupervised work assignment, Scarver fatally beat Dahmer and another inmate, Jesse Anderson, with a metal bar. Scarver’s motives for these killings remain unclear, with reports suggesting personality clashes and possible religious beliefs. These additional murders resulted in two more life sentences for Scarver. Christopher Scarver remains incarcerated in Colorado, serving his multiple life sentences. The Dahmer murders cemented his place in the annals of true crime, though his own background and motivations continue to be a source of intrigue.
1973 – Gong Runbo – was a Chinese serial killer who terrorized the city of Jiamusi in Heilongjiang Province between 2005 and 2006. Details about Gong Runbo’s early life are scarce. Born in 1973, he committed his first known crime in 1996 when he was convicted of raping a 15-year-old girl. Sentenced to eight years in prison, he was released in 2004. Following his release, Gong Runbo embarked on a horrific killing spree. Between March 2005 and February 2006, he murdered at least six children, all between the ages of 9 and 16. Authorities suspect the number of victims may be much higher, possibly exceeding 28. He lured his victims, then sexually assaulted and murdered them. Gong Runbo’s crimes came to an end in February 2006 when a boy he had abducted managed to escape his apartment and contact the police. Officers apprehended Gong at an internet cafe and found the remains of four victims in his residence. Gong Runbo was found guilty of his crimes and sentenced to death. He was executed on December 31, 2006. The Gong Runbo case exposed gaps in China’s approach to monitoring and rehabilitating released convicts. It also highlighted the need for stronger measures to protect children.
1975 – Gilberto Ventura Ceballos – is a Dominican serial killer responsible for the murders of five Panamanian youths of Chinese descent in La Chorrera between 2010 and 2011. Ceballos has a history of criminal activity. He escaped from prison in his native Dominican Republic in 2004 while facing charges of kidnapping and fraud. He then fled to Panama, where he committed his most horrific crimes. Between 2010 and 2011, Ceballos, along with an accomplice, abducted and murdered five teenagers. They collected ransom payments from the victims’ families, but tragically, at least two of the victims were buried alive. Ceballos was eventually apprehended and sentenced to 50 years in prison in July 2018. However, this wasn’t the end of the story. Incredibly, Ceballos managed to escape from prison a second time in 2017. A manhunt ensued, with Panamanian authorities offering a reward for his capture. Information on Ceballos’ current whereabouts is unavailable. It is likely he remains incarcerated in Panama serving his sentence for the brutal murders.
1976 – Cathy Lynn Sarinana – Raul Ricardo Sarinana and his estranged wife, Cathy Lynn, repeatedly abused and ultimately killed their 11-year-old nephew, Ricky Morales, who was left to die alone in a closet on Christmas Day 2005. The couple had been convicted in March 2005 of first-degree murder and torture in Ricky’s death, with separate juries for each defendant recommending the death penalty. Raul Sarinana kicked the child to death after Ricky vomited a meal his aunt had made on Christmas Day 2005. Months earlier, Raul Sarinana allegedly killed Ricky’s 14-year-old brother, Conrad, in a mobile home in Randle, Washington. The Sarinanas lived there with their two small children and nephews before relocating to Corona. The Morales brothers had been placed in the care of Raul and Cathy after their mother was briefly jailed for an assault in Los Angeles County and their father was deported. Cathy Sarinana was sentenced to death in Riverside County on June 26, 2009, while Raul Sarinana received the death sentence on July 2, 2009.
Deaths
Gary Michael Heidnik
1884 – Reverend John Selby Watson – was a man of profound contradictions. On the surface, he appeared to be a pillar of society – a learned scholar and a respected clergyman. However, beneath this facade lurked a capacity for terrible violence that would ultimately shatter his life and leave a lasting stain on his reputation. Born in Crayford, England, Watson received a classical education and went on to graduate from Trinity College, Dublin in 1838. He entered the clergy, becoming an ordained deacon, and in 1845, he married Anne Armstrong. Watson was known for his intellectual pursuits, with a particular interest in translating classical texts. In 1844, he moved to London and took on the role of headmaster at Stockwell Grammar School, a position he held for over two decades. During his time at Stockwell, however, cracks began to appear in Watson’s seemingly stable life. The school’s enrollment declined in the late 1860s, leading to financial difficulties. Adding to this stress were reported marital problems with his wife Anne, who reportedly struggled with alcoholism. This confluence of pressures culminated in a horrific act in 1871. Watson brutally murdered Anne by bludgeoning her with a pistol. He attempted to cover up his crime, but his efforts ultimately unraveled, leading to a shocking confession and a subsequent trial. Watson’s trial in 1872 became a national sensation. He pleaded insanity, a defense that brought the issue of mental health into the national spotlight. While ultimately found guilty of murder, a public outcry led to a commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment. John Selby Watson died in prison in 1884, leaving behind a legacy that serves as a stark reminder of the potential for darkness to reside even within the most seemingly upstanding individuals. His case also highlights the evolving understanding of mental health within the legal system.
1934 – Asghar the Murderer – Ali Asghar Borujerdi, better known as Asghar the Murderer (Asghar-e Ghatel), cast a dark spell over Iran and Iraq in the early 1900s. Notorious for being the first documented serial killer and rapist in 20th century Iran, his crimes sent shivers down spines. Born in 1893 in Borujerd, Iran, Asghar’s life was seemingly destined for violence. His family history was steeped in criminal activity, with his grandfather and father both being known bandits. Little is known about his early life, but by the age of fourteen, after moving to Baghdad with his family, Asghar’s dark tendencies began to manifest. Baghdad became the stage for Asghar’s monstrous actions. He targeted young boys, assaulting and raping them before escalating to murder. The number of victims remains unclear, but the terror he inflicted was undeniable. Fearing capture, Asghar fled back to Iran in 1933. Tehran, unaware of his past, became his new hunting ground. He continued his horrific crimes, leaving a trail of fear and devastation. Asghar’s reign of terror wouldn’t last. He was eventually apprehended by the Tehran authorities. His crimes shocked the nation, making headlines and sparking outrage. In 1934, Asghar faced his punishment, meeting his end by execution.
1992 – Marsha P. Johnson – was a force of nature in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey in 1945, Johnson, assigned male at birth, embraced her identity as a trans woman and drag queen. From a young age, she felt comfortable expressing herself through women’s clothing. This journey continued when she moved to New York City in her late teens. Johnson’s activism left an indelible mark on history. Most notably, she was a prominent figure in the Stonewall Riots of 1969. These riots, sparked by a police raid on a gay bar, became a turning point in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Johnson’s courage and determination in the face of oppression helped ignite a fire for equality. But Johnson’s activism went far beyond that. Alongside her close friend Sylvia Rivera, she co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) in 1970. This radical activist group provided crucial support for homeless LGBTQ+ youth in New York City, offering them a safe haven and a sense of community. Johnson’s compassion extended further as she became a vocal advocate for gay rights and the fight against HIV/AIDS in the 1980s. Marsha P. Johnson’s legacy is one of unwavering dedication to justice. Her activism helped pave the way for greater LGBTQ+ equality, and her spirit of resilience continues to inspire new generations of activists. Though her death in 1992 remains a source of controversy, there’s no question that Johnson’s life was a powerful testament to the fight for a world that embraces all identities.
1995 – Leonardo Morita – In May 1995, a 46-year-old electrician from San Marino, California, devised a tragic plan to collect on the insurance policies he had taken out on each member of his family. To expedite the process, he set his home on fire, resulting in the deaths of his wife, three children, and housekeeper. To ensure no one survived, he poured an excessive amount of gasoline on the stairs, which seeped into the basement and ignited the water heater’s pilot light, causing a massive explosion. Tragically, the electrician, driven by greed, succumbed to his injuries two months later.
1999 – Gary Michael Heidnik – was a chilling American serial rapist and murderer who preyed on six women in the 1980s. He held them captive in a horrific makeshift dungeon in the basement of his Philadelphia home. Born in Ohio in 1943, Heidnik’s early life was reportedly marked by emotional abuse. He claimed his father subjected him to humiliation for bedwetting. After high school, he joined the Army but was discharged due to mental health issues. He eventually obtained a nursing degree but his career floundered. Heidnik established a religious organization, the United Church of the Ministers of God, further solidifying his image as a respectable figure in his community. This facade masked his dark desires. In 1986, Heidnik’s monstrous side emerged. He began abducting women, keeping them prisoner in a pit he dug in his basement. He subjected them to horrific torture, rape, and even forced them to participate in each other’s torment. Two of the women were murdered. Heidnik’s crimes came to light in 1987 when one of the captives escaped. His arrest sent shockwaves through the community. He was eventually convicted of murder, rape, and kidnapping, and sentenced to death. Heidnik’s crimes bore a disturbing resemblance to those committed by the character Buffalo Bill in the then-recent film “The Silence of the Lambs,” leading some to believe he may have been an inspiration for the fictional serial killer.Heidnik’s appeals for clemency failed, and he was executed by lethal injection in 1999, the last person to be put to death in Pennsylvania.
2002 – Arthur Stanley Brown – was an Australian man who gained notoriety for his suspected involvement in several high-profile crimes, most notably the rape and murders of Judith and Susan Mackay in 1970. Born in Queensland, Brown’s early life remains unclear. After his parents separated, he moved between Melbourne and Townsville, eventually finding work as a meatpacker. Brown was exempt from World War II service due to his occupation. In 1970, Townsville was shaken by the brutal murders of teenage sisters Judith and Susan Mackay. Brown was eventually charged with their rape and killings. However, the year 2000 trial ended with a hung jury, and Brown’s age and deteriorating mental state prevented a retrial. Brown’s arrest for the Mackay murders opened a Pandora’s Box. Witnesses in the unsolved 1973 Adelaide Oval abductions and the infamous 1966 Beaumont children disappearance identified Brown as a suspect. These connections, along with prior accusations against Brown, painted a picture of a potential serial predator. Despite the lack of conclusive convictions, Arthur Stanley Brown is considered a prime suspect in several unsolved crimes. His case serves as a chilling reminder of the lingering impact unsolved disappearances have on families and communities.
2005 – L. Patrick Gray – born in 1916, served as the acting director of the FBI during a pivotal moment in American history – the Watergate scandal. His tenure at the FBI, from 1972 to 1973, coincided with the initial investigations into the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex. This seemingly ordinary burglary unraveled into a massive political scandal that would ultimately lead to President Nixon’s resignation. Gray, a former Navy man and lawyer, found himself at the center of the controversy. President Nixon appointed him acting director after the previous director, J. Edgar Hoover, died. Though nominated for the permanent position, Gray’s confirmation was blocked by the Senate due to his actions during the Watergate investigation. Gray oversaw the FBI’s initial probe into the break-in, but faced accusations of hindering the investigation to protect the Nixon administration. Admitting to destroying documents related to Watergate further damaged his credibility and led to his resignation. Whether Gray actively participated in a cover-up or was simply misguided remains a subject of debate. He was ultimately exonerated by the Watergate Special Prosecution Force. L. Patrick Gray’s time as FBI director became irrevocably linked to the Watergate scandal. His legacy is a complex one, marked by a challenging situation and the weight of difficult decisions.
2018 – Stoko Asahara – born Chizuo Matsumoto, was a complex and ultimately destructive figure in Japanese history. Born partially blind, Asahara graduated from a school for the visually impaired. He aspired to study medicine but faced rejection. He turned to acupuncture and traditional medicine, opening a pharmacy that later faced legal trouble for unlicensed practices. Asahara dabbled in various religious movements, eventually forming his own – Aum Shinsen-no-kai (later Aum Shinrikyo) in 1984. Aum Shinrikyo blended elements of Hinduism, Buddhism, and apocalyptic prophecies. Asahara garnered a following through charisma and teachings that promised enlightenment and spiritual advancement. He claimed to possess psychic abilities and positioned himself as a messianic figure. Aum Shinrikyo’s ideology shifted towards violence and doomsday predictions. The cult was responsible for multiple crimes, culminating in the horrific 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attack, which killed 13 people and injured thousands. Asahara was convicted of masterminding the sarin attack and other crimes. Sentenced to death in 2004, he was finally executed in 2018. Asahara’s legacy is one of manipulation, violence, and a stark reminder of the dangers of extremist cults.
2020 – Mary Kay Letourneau – life became a media sensation in 1997 for a shocking reason. An elementary school teacher, Letourneau initiated a sexual relationship with Vili Fualaau, a 12-year-old student in her sixth-grade class. This act of abuse cast a long shadow over her life. Born Mary Katherine Schmitz in 1962, Letourneau grew up in a conservative Catholic household. Her father was a politician with a history of his own scandal. After graduating from college, Letourneau became a teacher in Washington state. In 1996, Letourneau began a sexual relationship with Fualaau. The power imbalance inherent in a teacher-student relationship makes such acts statutory rape, regardless of any claims of consent. Letourneau became pregnant and gave birth to their first child while awaiting sentencing. Despite this, she received a lenient plea deal, but was caught violating a no-contact order soon after. This resulted in a longer prison sentence, during which she had their second child. After her release in 2004, Fualaau, by then an adult, petitioned to lift the no-contact order. They married in 2005, a decision that continued to generate controversy. The couple divorced in 2019, and Letourneau passed away from cancer in 2020. Mary Kay Letourneau’s story is a cautionary tale of abuse of power and the lasting impact of criminal behavior. Her case continues to spark discussions about the complexities of teacher-student relationships and the vulnerability of children.
Events
Lt Jackie Robinson
1932 – Cubs future all-star shortstop Billy Jurges is shot twice in a Chicago hotel room by a spurned girlfriend, Violet Popovich Valli, no charges are ever laid
1944 – Jackie Robinson refuses to move to the back of a bus, leading to a court-martial
1947 – The AK-47 goes into production in the Soviet Union
1985 – One-half of a serial killing duo, Charles Ng was apprehended
2009 – Patrick Burris is shot by police as a result of a killing spree from the previous week
2013 – At least 42 people are killed in a shooting at a school in Yobe state, Nigeria
2016 – South African athlete Oscar Pistorius is sentenced to 6 years in jail for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
2016 – African American Philando Castile is shot by police in St Paul, Minnesota after being pulled over for a broken rear light, killing is filmed