Killer Couples E-Book

Bella Ledford

• Herausgeber: epubli
• Kategorie: Sachliteratur, Reportagen, Biografien
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 177

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

We tend to think of killers and serial killers as lone wolves but that isn't always the case. A surprising number of killers have accomplices - in many cases their own spouse or lover! In this fascinatingly bizarre book we will run through the most notorious examples of Killer Couples who have murdered and committed some of the grisliest crimes together.

Leseprobe

Killer Couples  

Bella Ledford© Copyright 2023 Bella Ledford

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ContentsAndrew Wamsley and Chelsea Lea RichardsonAlvin Howard Neelley and Judith Neelley Bailey Boswell and Aubrey TrailCaril Ann Fugate and Charles Starkweather Christine Paolilla and Chris SnyderClyde Barrow and Bonnie ParkerDavid Birnie and Catherine BirnieDavid Parker Ray and Cindy HendyDebra Denise Brown and Alton ColemanDoug Clark and Carol M. BundyFred West and Rose WestGerald Gallego and Charlene GallegoGwendolyn Graham and Cathy Wood Ian Brady and Myra HindleyIan Huntley and Maxine CarrJames Gregory Marlo and Cynthia CoffmanJasmine Richardson and Jeremy SteinkeJens Söring and Elizabeth HaysomKarla Homolka and Paul BernardoLucas Markham and Kim EdwardsMartha Beck and Raymond FernandezMichelle Michaud and James DaveggioMonique Olivier and Michel FournireOttis Toole and Henry Lee LucasRay Copeland and Faye CopelandSuzan Carson and Michael CarsonANDREW WALMSLEY & CHELSEA LEA RICHARDSON Susana Alejandra Toledano and Chelsea Lea Richardson were born in 1984 in Tarrant County, Texas. Along with Chelsea's boyfriend Andrew Wamsley, this duo conspired in the murders of Andrew's parents because Andrew was in line to recieve a generous inheritance should they die. Chelsea came from a fairly humble background and was very eager to experience what life might be like with money. The motivation for the murders was heightened by the fact that Andrew's parents had stopped supporting him financially because they didn't approve of his relationship with Chelsea. Chelsea and Andrew had an accomplice in their murderous scheme in the form of Chelsea's friend Susana Toledano. Susan was completely under the control of her friend Chelsea and was manipulated into taking part in these murders. You could argue that the principal villain (or at the very least the real mastermind) of this case was actually Chelsea Lea Richardson. The trio managed to purchase a gun and on November the 9th 2003 they attacked the  Wamsley family - Rick, Suzanna and daughter Sarah. The first murder attempt was rather bungled. Andrew drove into Rick's jeep and then Susan tried to shoot his car gas tank to make it explode. They had got this idea from watching a television show. However, real life is not an episode of The A-Team or Airwolf and the plan didn't work. Susan missed the gas tank when she tried to shoot it. Chelsea was not involved in the first murder attempt because she wanted to have an alibi. Chelsea was though the manipulative and cold heart of this wicked trio. She was the driving force behind this murderous plan. The trio decided that the best thing to do now would be to murder the Wamsley family in their home. On December the 11th 2003, Rick and Suzanna Wamsley were murdered at their house in Mansfield. Rick Wamsley was shot in the head and stabbed over twenty times. Suzanna Wamsley was also shot in the head and stabbed multiple times. Mercifully, their daughter Sarah was not in the house when the attack occurred. Susana Toledano had shot Suzanna Wamsley dead while she slept on a sofa. Rick Wamsley heard the shot and rushed out - whereupon Susana shot him too. He still managed to put up a fight though and a struggle for the gun ensued. Chelsea Lea Richardson then got hold of the gun and shot Rick in the back. Susana Tolendo then stabbed Rick multiple times while he was face down on the floor. Susana Toledano was then ordered by Chelsea Lea Richardson to stab Suzanna Wamsley just to make sure she was dead. Andrew Wamsley, who was present at the murders, then phoned the police to report an incident at the house. A bold move but it was motivated by greed. He simply wanted to get his hands on his inheritance as quickly as possible. The police found a gruesome crime scene when they went to the house. At first they suspected that this was a burglary that had gone wrong. The Wamsley's were, just to futher complicate this case, in a witness protection scheme. It was even speculated that a proffesional hitman had killed them. Chelsea Lea Richardson had planned in advance for this stage of the crime. She arranged for a man named Jeremy Lavender to provide her with an alibi. This alibi was naturally  proven to be false. Sarah Wamsley, who was luckily absent the night of the murders, had a child with a man named Todd Celveland. Because Sarah and Todd had a famously bitter custody dispute over this child after they split up, Todd Cleveland actually became a suspect in the Wamsley murders but was later (of course) cleared of any involvement. Sarah, because she was now due for an inheritance too, was also briefly a suspect in the murders of her parents! She had to take a lie detector test for the police to prove her innocence. Sarah was pretty certain that her brother Andrew was involved in the murders and began legal action to block his inheritance. The breakthrough in the case came when hair found in Rick Wamsley's hand was matched to Susana Toledano through DNA tests. Susana Toledano and Andrew Wamsley were both arrested. Toledano agreed to testify against Chelsea Lea Richardson and Andrew Wamsley to avoid the death penalty. As a consequence she recieved life in prison. Chelsea Lea Richardson was sentenced to death by lethal injection but in 2011 the sentence was commuted to life in prison. Andrew Wamsley was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Hilario Cardenas, who illegally supplied the deadly trio with a gun, also recieved a prison sentence. One of the knottiest and strangest true crime cases in recent memory was finally at an end. ALVIN HOWARD NEELEY & JUDITH NEELLEY Judith Neelley (born Judith Adams) was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in 1956. She had a rather difficult early life because her father (who was an alcoholic) died when she was nine. When she was fifteen, Judith Neelley met a 26 year-old man named Alvin Howard Neelley. She fell in love and the couple married in 1980 and had children. Alvin Howard Neelley was a despicable man though. He was a sadist, rapist, and murderer. Judith, who wasn't any better herself, conspired in his awful crimes and seemed to enjoy them as much as he did.This twisted couple staged a number of armed robberies (even when Judith Neelley was pregnant) and were pretty much out of control. Judith gave birth to twins while she was detained at the Youth Development Center in Rome, Georgia. This youth center suffered a number of alarming incidents later when one employee was shot at and another had a molotov cocktail thrown at their home. Judith Neelley was obviously suspected of these attacks at the time. In September 1982, the Neelleys abducted a thirteen year-old girl named Lisa Ann Millican. They took Lisa to a motel where she was raped and kept as a prisoner. Judith Neelley injected Lisa with cleaning fluid in an attempt to kill her but when this did not work she shot her dead. The body of Lisa Ann Millican was thrown off a canyon after her death. Judith Neelley then anonoymously called the police and told them where to find the body. The following week the Neelleys abducted a young couple named Janice Chatman and John Hancock. Janice was raped and killed and although John was shot he managed to survive. John was able to describe his attackers and the Neelleys, after some police surveillance, were arrested. It was then established that Judith Neelley was responsible for the attempted murders of the Youth Development Center employees too. That news probably didn't come as a great surprise to anyone. Judith Neelley now had two attempted murders to add to her tally of two official murders. Judith Neelley actually gave birth to her third child while awaiting her trial. What a great start in life that must be - the child of Judith Neelley! Judith Neelley was eventually convicted for the torture and murder of Lisa Ann Millican and sentenced to death. She also confessed to killing Janice Chatman. Alvin Howard Neelley pleaded guilty to murder and assualt and evaded the death penalty (he was not charged with Millican's murder - that was his wife's solo handiwork). He ended up with life in prison. Judith Neelley was only days away from her execution in 1999 when Governor Fob James commuted her sentence to life in prison. Judith Neelley later said she had found God in prison and claimed to pray every day for the family of Lisa Ann Millican. You could probably forgive the family of Lisa Ann Millican if they didn't find that much of a consolation. Though captured fairly soon before she murdered that many people, Judith Neelley was by any standards a sadistic and evil woman responsible for some awful crimes. BAILEY BOSWELL & AUBREY TRAILBailey Boswell's troubled childhood played a significant role in shaping the person she became. She grew up in a broken home and experienced a tumultuous upbringing, often bouncing around in and out of foster care. These early experiences probably contributed to her involvement in criminal activities later in life. After moving to Nebraska in the early 2010s, Boswell continued to engage in unlawful behaviour. She started accumulating a criminal record, with charges ranging from theft to drug-related offenses. Boswell's active presence on social media platforms became a defining characteristic of her life. She frequently used dating apps as a means to meet new people, a practice that would ultimately lead her down a dark path.Aubrey Trail, on the other hand, had a long history of criminal behaviour before crossing paths with Boswell. Born in Kansas, Trail had developed a reputation as a fraudster, thief, and forger. He had been involved in various illegal activities, displaying a pattern of manipulative behavior and deceit. Trail's self-proclaimed identity as a vampire and alleged involvement in witchcraft added another peculiar layer to his already sinister persona. Suffice to say, he was a nutty character with some obvious mental health problems. The fateful encounter between Boswell and Trail occurred in 2017 when the two connected on Tinder, a popular dating app. It was through this app that they arranged a date with Sydney Loofe, a 24-year-old woman from Lincoln, Nebraska. Loofe went missing shortly after the date, sparking a massive search effort and capturing the attention of the nation.Investigators quickly focused their attention on Boswell and Trail as suspects in Loofe's disappearance. They tracked Loofe's last known location to Boswell's apartment and uncovered evidence suggesting foul play. With mounting evidence against them, the duo maintained their innocence and attempted to manipulate public opinion through multiple media interviews.Boswell and Trail claimed that Loofe's death was accidental and linked to their alleged involvement in "scuba diving," a sexual encounter that involved suffocation. However, authorities uncovered contradictory evidence that debunked their claims. The truth of Loofe's fate was revealed in a gruesome discovery. In December 2017, Loofe's dismembered body was found scattered across rural Clay County, Nebraska. The extent of violence inflicted upon her was chilling, and her cause of death was determined to be homicidal violence, including strangulation. The graphic nature of the crime sent shockwaves through the community and intensified the media coverage of the case.The trial of Bailey Boswell and Aubrey Trail in June 2019 was a highly publicised event. Both Boswell and Trail pleaded not guilty, but a jury found them guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and improper disposal of human skeletal remains. In July 2019, Boswell received a sentence of life in prison without parole, while Trail was handed the death penalty. Throughout the entire ordeal, the Bailey Boswell and Aubrey Trail case captured the attention of the media due to its grisly details and the perpetrators' attempts to manipulate public perception. Their use of interviews and social media platforms as tools to deceive and control the narrative added a chilling aspect to an already horrifying crime. The case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the dangers that can lurk behind a seemingly innocent online connection.CARIL ANN FUGATE & CHARLES STARKWEATHERCaril Ann Fugate and Charles Starkweather captivated the nation with their heinous crimes, leaving a lasting impact on American history. Born in 1938, Caril Ann Fugate was a young teenager when she started dating the troubled mechanic, Charles Starkweather. The couple's twisted relationship ultimately led to a violent spree of robberies and murders that shook the United States in the late 1950s. The killing spree began on December 1, 1957, when Starkweather took the lives of Fugate's mother, stepfather, and two-year-old sister at their home in Lincoln, Nebraska. The motive behind these brutal murders remains a subject of speculation and debate in criminal psychology circles to this day.Following the initial murders, Caril Ann Fugate and Charles Starkweather embarked on a terrifying two-month-long crime spree. The couple became infamous for robbing and killing a total of 11 people, leaving a trail of devastation and unease across the Midwest.Fugate claimed that she was held hostage by Starkweather and forced to participate in the crimes. Some evidence, however, suggested that she may have been more involved than she initially admitted. It is widely believed that Fugate suffered from Stockholm Syndrome during her time with Starkweather, a condition in which victims develop a psychological bond with their captors as a survival mechanism.The police relentlessly pursued the couple, and their crime spree eventually came to a dramatic end on January 29, 1958, in Douglas, Wyoming. After a high-speed chase and shootout, Caril Ann Fugate and Charles Starkweather were apprehended by law enforcement. Starkweather was convicted of all 11 murders and received the death penalty. Fugate, on the other hand, was found guilty of being an accessory to multiple murders and was sentenced to life in prison.Fugate served 17 years behind bars before being released on parole in 1976. Throughout her time in prison, she maintained her innocence and asserted that she had been a victim of Stockholm Syndrome under Starkweather's control. Despite her claims, the public perception of Fugate remains divided, with some believing her to be a willing participant in the killings.Charles Starkweather was not afforded the same opportunity for redemption as his former partner. He was executed in the electric chair on June 25, 1959, cementing his place in history as one of America's most notorious criminals.The crimes committed by Caril Ann Fugate and Charles Starkweather caused profound shock and fear throughout the nation. The story of their killing spree continues to capture public interest, with books, documentaries, and movies being made about their disturbing acts.Their case also ignited debates around the influence of factors such as youth, emotional manipulation, and mental health on criminal behavior. The tragedy serves as a chilling reminder of the potential for darkness within the human psyche and the destructive consequences it can have on innocent lives. To this day, Caril Ann Fugate and Charles Starkweather's names remain synonymous with senseless violence and cruelty, representing a dark chapter in American criminal history that continues to fascinate and disturb the public imagination.CHRISTINE PAOLILLIA & CHRIS SNYDERThe Clear Lake Massacre, a notorious murder case that shocked the suburban community of Houston, revolved around the actions of two individuals, Christine Paolilla and Chris Snyder. Their involvement in the heinous crime sent shockwaves throughout the area and left a lasting impact on the families of the victims, as well as the community as a whole.At the time of the murders in 2003, Christine Paolilla was just 17 years old. She had been in a relationship with her boyfriend Chris Snyder, and together, they planned and executed the killings of four of their former friends. The motive behind the murders was believed to be drug-related as Paolilla and Snyder had allegedly been selling drugs to their victims. They became consumed by fear that their victims would inform the authorities about their illegal activities, leading them to take drastic and deadly measures.On the fateful day of July 18, 2003, Paolilla and Snyder entered the suburban Houston home where their victims resided. In a chilling display of cold-bloodedness, they proceeded to shoot all four victims execution-style. The brutality of the crime sent shockwaves through the community, leaving family, friends, and neighbors devastated and in disbelief.After committing the murders, Paolilla and Snyder fled to San Antonio to avoid capture. However, their freedom was short-lived as law enforcement agencies intensified their search. Eventually, they were both apprehended, marking the end of their brief escape.Upon their capture, Paolilla and Snyder were charged with capital murder, a crime that carries the possibility of the death penalty. For Paolilla, the weight of her actions led her to reach a plea agreement in 2006. She pleaded guilty to four counts of murder, accepting a life sentence without the possibility of parole. This decision spared her from receiving the ultimate punishment but condemned her to spend the rest of her life behind bars.Chris Snyder, however, opted to go to trial and face a jury, where he was subsequently found guilty of capital murder in 2010. The court imposed the harshest sentence available, sentencing Snyder to death. Ever since his conviction, he has been on death row in a Texas prison, awaiting the completion of his appeals process.The Clear Lake Massacre continues to haunt the memories of those affected by the tragic events. It serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from a combination of fear, drug-related activities, and a lack of empathy. The case represents a dark chapter in the history of Houston, leaving an indelible mark on the community's collective memory. The families of the victims were left to grapple with the unbearable pain and loss caused by the actions of Paolilla and Snyder, their loved ones forever taken away under unimaginable circumstances.The tragedy also prompted the community to reflect on the importance of drug awareness and education. The case served as a chilling reminder of the dangers and potentially lethal consequences associated with drug use and illegal activities. Efforts were made to raise awareness and provide support to those battling addiction, as the Clear Lake Massacre acted as a stark reminder of how drug-related activities can spiral out of control and lead to devastating outcomes.In conclusion, the Clear Lake Massacre, orchestrated by Christine Paolilla and Chris Snyder, continues to be a haunting and deeply tragic chapter in the history of Houston. Their drug-related motives and subsequent execution-style killings left a community reeling and forever changed the lives of the victims' families. Through their heinous actions, Paolilla and Snyder cemented their legacies as perpetrators of one of Houston's most notorious criminal cases, serving as a chilling reminder of the destructive power of fear, drugs, and the consequences that can follow.CLYDE BARROW & BONNIE PARKERBonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, two of America's most infamous criminals, rose to notoriety during the tumultuous era of the Great Depression in the 1930s. Their crime spree captured the attention of the entire nation as they traversed multiple states, leaving behind a trail of bloodshed, robbery, and chaos. Bonnie Elizabeth Parker, born on October 1, 1910, in Rowena, Texas, came from a lower-middle-class family. Despite her humble beginnings, Bonnie was known for her intelligence and creativity. However, she dropped out of school at the age of 16 to work various odd jobs. It was during this time that fate brought her into contact with Clyde Barrow.Clyde Chestnut Barrow was born on March 24, 1909, in Ellis County, Texas. Growing up in a poverty-stricken environment, Clyde became accustomed to a life of crime from an early age. He honed his skills as a thief and frequently found himself in and out of prison. During one of his stints behind bars, Clyde crossed paths with Bonnie, and together, they would embark on a journey that would forever cement their names in American history.The love between Bonnie and Clyde blossomed quickly, and their souls intertwined with an intensity that would drive them to commit heinous crimes. They formed a gang that included Clyde's brother, Buck Barrow, and several other accomplices. The gang set off on a rampage across multiple states, instilling fear in the hearts of the American public.The duo's crime spree encompassed Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Missouri. Their preferred targets were banks and small stores, which they would rob with increasing audacity. However, their methods were not without violence. Bonnie and Clyde were ruthless and showed no mercy to anyone who dared to stand in their way.As their criminal rampage continued, a curious phenomenon began to unfold. While law enforcement agencies tirelessly pursued Bonnie and Clyde, they also became symbols of rebellion and defiance for some. The media and public began to romanticize the duo, often comparing them to the legendary outlaw, Robin Hood. Their exploits were celebrated, and their likenesses were idolized through ballads, stories, and songs.But the romanticized image of Bonnie and Clyde soon collided with the harsh reality of their crimes. They were responsible for the deaths of at least nine police officers and countless innocent civilians. Their reckless actions had dire consequences, erasing any veneer of heroism that had been attributed to them. The public's perception began to shift as they fully grasped the brutality of Bonnie and Clyde's actions.The law enforcement agencies, determined to bring an end to the reign of terror, pursued Bonnie and Clyde relentlessly. On May 23, 1934, their journey came to a violent and abrupt end near Gibsland, Louisiana. The couple was ambushed and brutally killed in a hail of bullets. The saga of Bonnie and Clyde was over, but their legacy would continue to live on in American folklore and popular culture.The tale of Bonnie and Clyde continues to captivate audiences across generations. Their story has been immortalized in books, movies, and songs that explore the complexities of their relationship, their criminal activities, and the tragic fate that ultimately befell them. Bonnie and Clyde remain a lasting symbol of the chaos and desperation that swept across the nation during the Great Depression, forever etched into the pages of American history.DAVID BIRNIE & CATHERINE BIRNIECatherine and David Birnie's horrifying crimes in the 1980s were not only shocking, but they also left a profound impact on Australian society. The details surrounding their upbringing shed light on the potential factors that contributed to their violent behavior. Catherine Birnie's troubled childhood began at an early age. Born on May 23, 1951, she grew up in a dysfunctional family environment, which exposed her to neglect and abuse. Catherine became familiar with the legal system from a young age, as she frequently found herself in trouble with the law during her teenage years. These early experiences likely influenced her future criminal acts.Similarly, David Birnie, born on February 16, 1951, also faced a tumultuous upbringing. He grew up in poverty, and his childhood was marked by physical and emotional abuse within his own family. With limited resources and a tumultuous household, David had difficulty navigating his way through life.The couple's path of destruction began in 1986 when they unleashed a series of abductions, rapes, and murders in Perth, Western Australia. Their crimes were particularly heinous, with victims as young as 15 years old falling prey to their sadistic desires. The Birnies meticulously planned their attacks, luring their victims to their home under false pretenses before subjecting them to unimaginable suffering.