Read The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers Online
Authors: Michael Newton
Tags: #True Crime, #Murder, #General, #Serial Killers
pected of two more
TIMS: Three+ suspected
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The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers
MO: Robbed/murdered women
MO: Killed/scalped woman; shot policeman who
DISPOSITION: Executed in Washington, D.C., on one stopped his car
count, Dec. 20, 1948
DISPOSITION: Killed while attempting escape from custody, Apr. 26, 1985
Medrano, Juan Martin
(1955– ) AKA: The Jackal SEX: M RACE: H TYPE: N MOTIVE: CE-felony
Mengele, Dr. Josef
(1911–79?)
DATE(S): 1970s VENUE: U.S./Mexico VICTIMS:
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: S MOTIVE: Sad./PC-
32 confessed
extremist
MO: Contract killer for Mexican crime syndicates who DATES(S): 1943–45 VENUE: Auschwitz, Poland
admitted 25 murders in Mexico and seven in three VICTIMS: Dozens
U.S. states
MO: Nazi physician who murdered concentration
DISPOSITION: Life sentence in Texas, 1978, after con-camp inmates in personal fits of rage, killing others fessing seven murders in Texas, Alabama, and Mex-in the course of weird medical experiments; person-ico; transferred to Mexico in a Dec. 1980 prisoner ally ordered execution of hundreds more, including exchange; released in Mexico, 1984; arrested for 300 children burned alive in one incident
drugs in Texas, Dec. 2001; received a life prison DISPOSITION: Fled to South America after World term after confessing 25 more slayings, including 23
War II; allegedly suffered heart attack while swim-in Mexico and two in Florida
ming and drowned, 1979
Meeks, Douglas Ray
(1953– )
Mentzer, William
(?– )
SEX: M RACE: B TYPE: T MOTIVE: PC
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: CE
DATES(S): 1974 VENUE: Taylor County, Fla. VIC-
DATES(S): 1974–88 VENUE: Calif./N.Y./Fla. VIC-
TIMS: Two
TIMS: Five+ suspected
MO: Killed two victims in personal disputes
MO: Contract killer with ties to drug syndicates; also DISPOSITION: Condemned on two counts, 1975
named by DAVID BERKOWITZ as participant in
satanic cult murders
Melton, Antonio Lebaron
(1972– )
DISPOSITION: Life without parole on two counts in SEX: M RACE: B TYPE: T MOTIVE: CE
Calif., 1991
DATES(S): 1990–91 VENUE: Escambia County, Fla.
VICTIMS: Two
Menzi, Kurt
(1962– )
MO: Killed holdup victims
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: Sex.
DISPOSITION: Life term on one count, 1991; conDATES(S): 1983–84 VENUE: St. Gallen, Switzerland demned on second, 1992
VICTIMS: Two
MO: Rape-slayer of girls age 10 and 18
Menarik, Carl
(1889–?)
DISPOSITION: Life sentence on one count, 1985
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: S MOTIVE: PC-non-
specific
Merrett, John Donald
(1908–54)
DATES(S): 1914 VENUE: Yonkers, N.Y. VICTIMS:
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: N MOTIVE: CE/PC
Eight confessed
DATES(S): 1926/54 VENUE: Scotland/England
MO: Austrian immigrant, poisoned patients at rest VICTIMS: Three confessed
home where he worked
MO: Smuggler who killed his mother (1926); later DISPOSITION: Confined to asylum, 1915; escaped killed his estranged wife and mother-in-law (1954) 1916; never found
DISPOSITION: Acquitted, 1926; suicide by gunshot on Feb. 17, 1954
Mendoza, Ivan
(1966– )
SEX: M RACE: H TYPE: T MOTIVE: Sex.
Mesa, Joseph, Jr.
(1980– )
DATES(S): 1981–82 VENUE: New York City VIC-
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: S MOTIVE: CE-felony
TIMS: Two
DATE(S): 2000–01 VENUE: Washington, D.C.
MO: Stabbed women during robberies
VICTIMS: Two
DISPOSITION: Convicted on both counts, 1983
MO: Deaf student at Gallaudet University, who
beat/stabbed two male fellow students, both age 19,
Mengel, Alex J.
(1955–85)
in their dormitory rooms during attempted robberies SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: N MOTIVE: Sex./CE
DISPOSITION: Convicted on two counts in May
DATES(S): 1985 VENUE: N.Y. VICTIMS: Two
2002; received life prison term
380
Appendix A: Solo Killers
Metheny, Joe Roy
(1955– )
Miller, Gerald Wesley
(1936– )
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: Sex./Sad.
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: PC-domestic
DATES(S): 1976–95 VENUE: Baltimore, Md. VIC-
DATES(S): 1984/89 VENUE: Salem, Ore. VIC-
TIMS: 10 confessed
TIMS: Two
MO: Admitted mutilation-murders of men and women MO: “Bluebeard” slayer of wives
DISPOSITION: Life term on one count, 1997; con-DISPOSITION: Life term on two counts, 1993
demned on second count, 1998; death sentence
overturned on appeal, July 2000
Miller, Hugh
(1969– )
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: PC
Meyer, Thomas
(1961– )
DATES(S): 1995 VENUE: Burlington City, N.J.
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: Sex.
VICTIMS: Three
DATES(S): 1986–87 VENUE: Bonna, Germany
MO: Shot his mother, ex-girlfriend, and a male VICTIMS: Three
acquaintance
MO: Home invader; killed females age 13–37 and set DISPOSITION: Three consecutive life terms, 1998
fires
DISPOSITION: Life sentence on three counts, 1988
Miller, James B.
(1861–1909) AKA: Killin’ Jim SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: N MOTIVE: PC/CE
Mfeka, Samuel Bongani
(?– )
DATES(S): 1883–1909 VENUE: Ark./Tex./N.
SEX: M RACE: B TYPE: T MOTIVE: Sex.
Mex./Okla. VICTIMS: 40–50 claimed
DATES(S): 1993–96 VENUE: KwaZulu Natal, South
MO: Gunfighter and hired killer; occasional lawman Africa VICTIMS: Six
DISPOSITION: Lynched in Okla., Apr. 19, 1909
MO: Rape-slayer of women; also suspect in “NASREC
STRANGLER” case
Miller, John Lawrence
(1942– )
DISPOSITION: Confessed six counts at arrest, Sept.
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: PC-non-
1996
specific
DATES(S): 1957/75 VENUE: Los Angeles County,
Middleton, David
(1961– )
Calif. VICTIMS: Three
SEX: M RACE: B TYPE: N MOTIVE: Sex./Sad.
MO: Bludgeoned an infant, 1957; shot his parents, DATES(S): 1993–95 VENUE: Colo./Nev. VICTIMS:
1975
Three
DISPOSITION: Convicted of murder, 1958 (paroled MO: Ex-cop and paroled rapist; sex-slayer of women 1975); life term, 1975
age 18–45; torture devices found in his home
DISPOSITION: Condemned on two counts in Nev.,
Miller, Joseph D.
(1965– )
1997
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: Sex.
DATE(S): 1987–90 VENUE: Dauphin and Perry
Miller, Donald Gene
(1955– )
Counties, Pa. VICTIMS: Four
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: Sex.
MO: Rape-slayer of women discarded at local trash DATES(S): 1978 VENUE: Lansing, Mich. VIC-dumps; led police to graves and confessed four slay-TIMS: Four confessed
ings after arrested for assault in 1992
MO: Rapist who killed his fiancée and three other DISPOSITION: Condemned on two counts; life term women
on a third count; death sentence commuted on
DISPOSITION: 30–50 years for rape and attempted appeal, Dec. 18, 2002
murder of surviving victims, 1978; 15 years on plea bargain to voluntary manslaughter, 1979
Miller, Joseph Robert
(1954– )
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: Sex.
Miller, George Thaxton
(1900– )
DATES(S): 1976–77/1993 VENUE: Ill. VICTIMS:
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: PC-
Four
extremist
MO: Strangler of prostitutes in Chicago (1970s) and DATES(S): 1926 VENUE: Crenshaw County, Ala.
Peoria
VICTIMS: Two admitted
DISPOSITION: Served 15 years for first two kills; con-MO: Ku Klux Klansman; shot black men “in self-
demned, 1994; sentence commuted to life, 2003
defense”
DISPOSITION: Claimed acquittals by all-white juries
Miller, Vernon C.
(d. 1933)
(records lost)
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: N MOTIVE: CE
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The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers
DATES(S): 1925–33 VENUE: Midwest USA VIC-
MO: Schizophrenic released from mental hospital three TIMS: “Numerous”
days before he killed a married couple in their home; MO: War-hero lawman turned contract killer
later strangled and dismembered his father
DISPOSITION: Murdered by gangland associates,
DISPOSITION: Life sentence reduced to 10-year mini-Nov. 28, 1933
mum on appeal; attempted to strangle fellow
inmate, April 2000
Miller, Walter
(d. 1870)
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: CE
Mitchell, Roy
(1892–1923)
DATES(S): 1870 VENUE: Chelsea, England VIC-
SEX: M RACE: B TYPE: T MOTIVE: CE/Sex.
TIMS: Two
DATES(S): 1909–11 VENUE: Waco, Tex. VIC-
MO: Robbed/killed elderly victims in their homes TIMS: Five confessed
DISPOSITION: Confessed two counts and was hanged MO: Killed constable with an ax; attacked couples in lover’s lane; at least one rape
Minghella, Maurizio
(?– ) AKA: Strangler of DISPOSITION: Hanged July 30, 1923
Valpocevera
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: Sex.
Mitchell, Tony Garrett
(1979– )
DATES(S): 1978 VENUE: Valpocevera, Italy VIC-
SEX: M RACE: B TYPE: T MOTIVE: Sex.
TIMS: Four
DATE(S): 2002 VENUE: Mt. Pleasant, Tenn. VIC-
MO: Rape-slayer of young women
TIMS: Two
DISPOSITION: Life sentence
MO: Kidnapped and shot three black women, killing two; bodies dumped within a one-mile radius in
Minow, Paul
(?–?)
wooded area
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: S MOTIVE: PC-non-
DISPOSITION: Pled guilty on two murder counts to specific
avoid death sentence, Nov. 4, 2002; received two DATES(S): 1907 VENUE: Berlin, Germany VIC-consecutive life terms; pled guilty on one count of TIMS: Three
attempted murder, Jan. 3, 2003
MO: Epileptic “ripper” of girls, all under five years old DISPOSITION: Confessed, Nov. 1907; sentence
Mmbengwa, David
(?– )
unknown
SEX: M RACE: B TYPE: T MOTIVE: CE-felony
DATE(S): 1991/1996 VENUE: Pietersburg, South
Mirabella, John
(1905–55)
Africa VICTIMS: Eight
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: N MOTIVE: CE
MO: Armed robber who preyed on couples making
DATES(S): 1920s–40s VENUE: Mich./Ohio VIC-
love in wooded areas outside town
TIMS: “Numerous”
DISPOSITION: Convicted of culpable homicide,
MO: Alcoholic Mafia hit man
December 1991; served four years of a six-year DISPOSITION: Died of cirrhosis, 1955
term; on Aug. 2, 2001 received seven life terms for murder plus 46 years on various lesser charges
Mirshekari, Yaghoub Ali
(1957–2005) AKA: Yellow Scorpion
Modeno, Mariano
(d. 1878)
SEX: M TYPE: T MOTIVE: CE-felony
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: N MOTIVE: PC
DATE(S): 2003–04 VENUE: Zahedan, Iran VIC-
DATES(S): 1830s–78 VENUE: Rocky Mountains
TIMS: 10
VICTIMS: 100+
MO: Shot and stabbed truck drivers, then stole and MO: “Mountain man” and “endless killer” of Indians sold their trucks
DISPOSITION: Died of natural causes, 1878
DISPOSITION: Hanged on June 12, 2005; five accomplices, all members of his immediate family, were
Modzieliewski, Stanislav
(?– )
sentenced to prison for lesser offenses
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: Sex.
DATES(S): 1960s VENUE: Lødz, Poland VICTIMS:
Mitchell, Jason
(1972– )
Seven
SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: PC-non-
MO: “Vampire” slayer of women; six other victims specific
survived
DATE(S): 1995 VENUE: Bramford, England VIC-
DISPOSITION: Convicted of seven murders and six TIMS: Three
attempted murders, 1969
382
Appendix A: Solo Killers
Moffett, Jessie Ray
(1959–98)
DISPOSITION: Received life terms without parole on SEX: M RACE: B TYPE: T MOTIVE: Sex./CE
two counts, April 2001; Donald Moody received a DATES(S): 1979/87 VENUE: San Diego, Calif.
life term on one count, plus five years as an acces-VICTIMS: Two
sory on a second count
MO: Bludgeoned young woman (1979); shot security guard in holdup
Moody, Robert Joe
(1959– )
DISPOSITION: Condemned, 1992; died in prison May SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: CE
2, 1998
DATE(S): 1993 VENUE: Tucson, Ariz. VICTIMS:
Two
Mofokeng, Sylvester
(1972– )
MO: Killed and robbed women during home invasions, SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: CE
to support drug habit
DATES(S): 1990s VENUE: Johannesburg, South
DISPOSITION: Condemned on two counts, June 1995; Africa VICTIMS: 13
retried with same result, May 2001; sentence comMO: Escaped inmate with prior murder conviction; muted on appeal, Aug. 9, 2004
killed 12 more victims during home invasions while at large
Moody, Walter Leroy, Jr.
(1945– )
DISPOSITION: Life + 70 years for first murder; 10 life SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: N MOTIVE: PC-terms + 145 years, 1997
extremist
DATES(S): 1989 VENUE: Ala./Ga. VICTIMS: Two
Molinari, Robert Joseph
(1958– )
MO: Racist mail bomber; killed a judge and an attorney SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: N MOTIVE: PC