Austin has had one other serial killer in the past, around the time of Jack the Ripper. Autopsy reports were not yet available, but police said the victims showed no signs of trauma, and they had not seen evidence of foul play. It's unclear whether the two had any prior connection. On New Years Eve night in 1884, Mollie Smith was found murdered at her residence, located at approximately West Sixth Street and Bowie Street, the documentary said. New docu-series examines case of Tyler hospital serial killer. 8 The Long Island Serial Killer In the middle of the night on May 2, 2010, 24-year-old Shannan Gilbert called 911 from Oak Beach near Long Island, insisting someone was chasing and trying to kill her. "If not for the members of this task force, he would still be out on the streets today.". Police say Raul Meza Jr. was carrying a bag with zip ties, a flashlight and a gun when arrested. He is an architect and married father of two who lives in Massapequa Park. The two recent murder charges against Meza are for the deaths of Gloria Lofton and Jesse Fraga. Here's what we know about Meza's background: Meza is most known for the murder of 8-year-old Kendra Page in 1982 in Austin. The stars at night are big and bright. Published on April 17, 2023 12:41PM EDT Trending Videos Four bodies have been found in a Texas lake in the last two months but police say there is no evidence that foul play is involved. There are and have long been more than a few genuine serial killers in Texas, and a Texas serial killer is much like any other. Escobar was not extradited to Texas but appeared by Zoom May 6 from a Los Angeles County courtroom to accept a plea deal to the charges. All four women had worked as online escorts and had been missing between 2007 and 2010. TEXANS SOUNDING SAFETY ALARMS AFTER LATEST BODY FOUND IN LAKE, A member of the Austin Police Department stands watch during the Gold Cup semifinal match between the United States and Qatar on July 29, 2021 at Q2 stadium in Austin, Texas. 1:00 Raul Meza Jr., who was convicted in 1982 of the murder of an 8-year-old girl, was charged with two additional murders Tuesday. Ramirez [modus operandi], and we're looking into those for future leads," Reed said. Join the search for Austin's 1885 serial killer. to confess to 90 murders. Posted on Apr 24, 2023. The eight bodies getting discovered within ten months have sparked speculation that there might be a serial killer in the Texas Capitol, Chron reported A new true crime docuseries released Thursday features a Florida professor and her students as they analyze convicted murderers, including former Tyler nurse and convicted serial killer William Davis. Just a day after her disappearance, Tiffany Johnston's partially clothed body was found in tall grass, next to an unpaved rural road close to the interstate. The Travis County medical examiner found a puncture wound on Fragas neck and a severed cervical spine, Sexton said. (Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman/USA TODAY NETWORK), Kevin Gannon, retired NYPD detective who investigated Smiley Face killers theory as a private eye. Convicted of killing at least three sex workers from 1990 to 1991, the "Dallas Ripper" has another nickname - the Eyeball Killer - that tells you all you need to know about him. Reece made frequent trips between his new home in Texas and his mother's home in Oklahoma in 1997. It took more than two decades to bring William Reece to justice for the murders of Laura Smither, Kelli Cox, Tiffany At the time, Meza's early release triggered public condemnation, but it was mandated by a state law that has since changed. "But hearing details from the day, I guess he really was a monster. Jessica Cain's remains were discovered in a field near Hobby Airport on March 18, 2016. FBI analyzing 'hundreds of pieces of information' amid hunt for As police roundly deny rampant serial killer speculation, relatives of the victims tell Andrea Blanco what needs to happen to avoid more tragedies Wednesday 03 May 2023 20:34 Article bookmarked Posted Sat 23 Jul 2022 at 12:08pm While on death row for the murder of a 19-year-old woman, William Reece confessed to a string of other killings he committed in The four women Heuermann is linked to were all found covered in burlap along a half-mile stretch of Ocean Parkway on Long Island's South Shore in late 2010. The girl was riding her bicycle on the playground of Langford Elementary, several blocks from her family's home, when Meza killed her. Ramon Escobar, 50, pleaded guilty to the deaths of his uncle, Rogelio Escobar, and aunt, Dina Escobar, in a crime spree that began Aug. 26, 2018 in exchange for a sentence of life without parole in California. Dean Corll called Southeast Texas home when his family moved here in 1950. January 21, 2023 / 9:38 PM Meza didn't have any stable employment in the Austin area when he was arrested earlier this week and his parole had expired, police said. PFLUGERVILLE, Texas Authorities were searching a field in Pflugerville earlier this week in connection with accused serial killer Raul Meza Jr., who may be tied to murders in San Antonio. More than a decade after the bodies of various young women began piling up around Gilgo Beach in Long Island, New York, a suspect has been taken into custody, a law enforcement source confirms to PEOPLE. "One common theme of the drownings in Austin this year is the combination of alcohol and easy access to Lady Bird Lake, which has numerous access points," police said. Updated: 11:15 PM CST January 17, 2023 MEMPHIS, Tenn Many Memphians have seen speculation growing online of a serial killer in the Westwood community. Cyclists pass beneath the downtown skyline on the hike and bike trail on Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas. Everything is bigger in Texas, and Texas killers are among the most brutal and notorious in the country. Thu, June 1st 2023, 6:01 PM UTC. Police have said investigators do not believe Meza is responsible for the two bodies found in Lady Bird Lake in recent weeks. Thelast known image of Kelli Cox, captured a the surveillance camera at the Denton Police Department, the day she went missing. As days passed, Gay and Bob Smither searched for their daughter with the help of their community, thousands of volunteers and even the US Marines, but no one was able to find a trace of the missing girl. Lofton was found dead in her home in May 2019 and Fraga in his home on May 20. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Yvi Beatrice Leon becomes emotional during a visit to a memorial setup near an entrance to the Allen Premium Outlets mall after the mass shooting occurred on May 8, 2023 in Allen, Texas. No one was ever caught. A sign warns of poor lighting conditions at night on a hike and bike trail along Lady Bird Lake that passes the end of Rainey Street on Sunday, April 2, 2023 in downtown Austin, Texas. 15. Please enter valid email address to continue. Austin police Detective Patrick Reed said Meza told police Tuesday night that "he was ready and prepared to kill again, and he was looking forward to it.". It could be something that is connected to him that would also prove his guilt in addition to the other evidence, something else that it could be, it could actually be a completely new crime that theyre investigating, Cardenas told CBS Austin. speaking from Texas Capitol where the two have been meeting with state lawmakers. Filed 6:00 a.m. 04.26.2023. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted. Breaking:Austin police may have missed key DNA lead to stop suspected serial killer Raul Meza Jr. It took more than two decades to bring William Reece to justice for the murders of Laura Smither, Kelli Cox, Tiffany Johnston and Jessica Cain. Sexton said Austin police found only one case that met the "parameters that had been set out by Meza" in that phone call: the murder of Gloria Lofton, who was strangled in May 2019. Sapaugh was confused by this and says before she knew what was happening, the stranger forced her into his white pickup truck and sexually assaulted her. The families wanted to see him go away.. Those who have recently died have been identified as 33-year-old Jonathan Honey, found dead on April 1, one more unidentified man found on February 13 and Jason John, 30, found on February 13. A 24-year-old sex worker, she vanished after leaving a client's house on foot in the seafront community of Oak Beach, disappearing into the marsh. Kidnapping of Louisiana mom foiled by gut instinct of off-duty sheriff's deputy, How a Chevy, a strand of hair and a pizza box led police to the Gilgo Beach suspect, Prosecutors: Man accidentally recorded himself plotting wife's kidnapping, Gabby Petito-Brian Laundrie case: The full story of their deaths, "48 Hours" uncovers Shannan Gilbert's final minutes. "The Candyman" was the stuff of Hollywood horror. Travis County Clerk's Office records list Russell Hunt as Meza's lawyer. In those cases, young, fit men were found dead in bodies of water after they had last been seen out drinking. After he was released from prison in 1993, Meza moved to various Texas cities, including Texas' deadliest mass killer was George Hennard, who gunned down 23 at a Luby's Cafeteria in Killeen in 1991. ALT. Meza has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1975. Austin police may have missed key DNA lead to stop suspected serial killer Raul Meza Jr. Raul Meza charged in two deaths, may be involved in 10 more, Raul Meza, who killed girl in 1982, sought in slaying of 80-year-old man in Pflugerville, No foul play in Rainey Street entertainment district deaths, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Between December 1884 and December 1885, at least seven women and one man were dragged out of their beds as they slept before being stabbed to death. He did not name her, but said the street name where she was killed. The two had also lived together for two years until May 12. It was William Reece, who worked at a construction site just down the road from the Smither's Friendswood home. They said she valued helping others and often invited people off the street to stay with her. or redistributed. There was no trace of Jessica and no clues as to where she was. A Texas man is facing two new murder charges after he allegedly called police to confess to killing his roommate and another woman, and authorities are now That same month, police announced the creation of a website, www.gilgonews.com, dedicated to sharing information with the public about the investigation, where tipsters can post tips anonymously. Neighbors of Gloria Lofton are reacting to the news of her suspected killer being in police custody. Friends of Jessica Cain gathered for a vigil, hoping she would be found. Anyone with more information about the case can call Austin police at 512-974-8477, or submit tips anonymously through Capital Area Crime Stoppers at austincrimestoppers.org or call 512-472-8477. Criminal defense attorney Ty Cardenas said the FBI search of the Pflugerville field could be related to the Fraga murder. He was convicted and sentenced to death but died while in prison. The uncle had taken Escobar in and was letting him live at the home on Prudence Drive in southwest Houston. Tiffany's mother Kathy Dobry was left mystified and wondered what happened to her youngest daughter. Robbed and murdered six people from 2019 to 2020 in Wayne County, Michigan, later dying by suicide. 23, 2023 at 7:55 PM PDT. From the 1970s into the 1990s, around 35 slain women were found among a 25-acre stretch of land between Houston and Galveston in what became known as the Texas Killing Fields. The jury heard Sandra Sapaugh's powerful testimony and his victims from the eighties also took the stand and shared how they were both brutally attacked by Reece in Oklahoma. Randy Alan Lexvold, 49, traveled to Austin to watch his daughter's swim meet at the University of Texas. He was sent back to prison in 1994 for a parole violation and was then released in 2002. Sapaugh was badly hurt from the jump, but survived. All rights reserved. This booking photo provided by the Austin, Texas, Police Department shows Raul Meza Jr. Meza Jr. Kidnapping of Louisiana mom foiled by gut instinct of off-duty sheriff's deputy, Suspect wanted for 4 Georgia murders killed in standoff with police, How a Chevy, a strand of hair and a pizza box led police to the Gilgo Beach suspect, What we know about the suspect in the Gilgo Beach serial killings case, Officials detail evidence in Gilgo Beach serial killings arrest. However, drugs like GHB, commonly known as "roofies," are quickly metabolized and can be out of a victim's system by the time they reach a forensic pathologist, Hammonds noted. Her car mats still hanging up. Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. he coaxes killer Samuel Little. The suspect told police "he was ready and prepared to kill again.". Serial Killers From The Great State Of Texas, 15 Of The Worst Crimes To Ever Occur In Texas, 12 Other Rippers Throughout History As Bad As Jack, Corll drugged, raped, tortured, and murdered, Every Gruesome Thing Dean "The Candy Man" Corll Did To His Victims. WebTexas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives. The entire ordeal reads like a bad campfire ghost story, with teens murdered on lover's lane, harrowing escapes, and a killer who was never found. This comes after relatives and friends of Jason John, a 30-year-old whose body was recovered near 30 East Ave. in February, called on the city to install security cameras and lights in the area to improve safety. United States. Sony Music. Police began searching for Meza as a person of interest after Fraga, a retired Travis County probation officer, was found dead by officers on May 20 while they were conducting a welfare check because Fraga's loved ones hadn't heard from him in several days. He could be linked to more murder cases. Meza, 62, was arrested in North Austin on May 29 by the U.S. With his DNA in hand, Wendy Duke was finally able to connect Reece to the DNA recovered from Tiffany's body, and Reece could not be eliminated as the contributor. After serial killer theories emerge online, Austin Police Department releases statement denying foul play April 4, 2023. Published: Jan. 19, 2022 at 3:30 AM PST. At least, not according to San Antonio Police Department. Pugh, the man whose son was found in the brush after vanishing in 2019, called for cameras to be installed in the area. Meza's car was found parked in the driveway of Fraga's residence with duct tape, gloves, a hammer and a hatchet inside of it, according to a search warrant. Beyond the sheer number of serial murderers in the Lone Star State, there are some killers whose crimes are especially shocking and terrible. AUSTIN, Texas An investigation is underway after a body was recovered from Lady Bird Lake in Austin on Sunday morning, according to Austin-Travis County first responders. Story tips can be sent to michael.ruiz@fox.com and on Twitter: @mikerreports, Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. HOUSTON Hes considered Houstons most notorious serial killer - 28 deaths linked to the so-called Candy Man.. "He's killed how many people? "I got out (of prison) in 2016 and ended up murdering a lady soon after, and it was on Sara Drive. He is connected to approximately 10 cold cases dating back to 1996, including a double murder he allegedly committed in San Antonio. PFLUGERVILLE, Texas - Austin police, Pflugerville police, and the FBI searched a field for leads in connection with a potential serial killer, the City of Pflugerville says. It is not clear if Heuermann has been charged. ", Defense attorney Michael J. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. They're all alone. When Meza was arrested, police said, he was carrying a backpack containing zip ties, a flashlight, duct tape and a .22 caliber pistol with extra rounds. Meza previously served time in jail after pleading guilty to the murder and rape of 8-year-old Kendra Paige. At the time, police determined Page had been strangled and sexually assaulted, according to American-Statesman archives from 1993. "There are too many people that have gone missing," Austin resident Christopher Pugh told the Austin City Council earlier this month. Police announced Tuesday that Meza confessed to her murder and that his DNA matched the DNA found at the scene. Are straight males being drugged and raped on Rainey Street in Austin Texas? Similar protests led to transfers from Wichita Falls, San Antonio, Mineral Wells and Sweetwater. We don't know," Mills said. (Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman/USA TODAY NETWORK). Brown called the case against Heuermann "extremely circumstantial in nature. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images), No foul play suspected in recent Lady Bird Lake deaths, police say. Those rings are still under investigation, although prosecutors have announced arrests and indictments. Bodies have been found in Lady Bird Lake this year, stoking fears in the community, but police have said there is no evidence of foul play in those deaths. Escobar first killed Rogelio Escobar, 65,using an old police baton because he felt disrespected. Authorities have said that more than one person may have been responsible for the murders. VIEW ALL PHOTOS. Murder confessions raise prospect of serial killer in Texas. Stockton, Calif., police released a photo of a person of interest in the murders of five men in the city since July. By Kate McGee, The Texas Tribune Jun 29, 2023 As the name suggests, Albright surgically removed the eyes of all three of his victims. Major Lynn Williams, left, and Supervising Criminologist Wendy Duke at OSBI headquarters in Oklahoma City. Convicted of killing at least three sex workers from 1990 to 1991, the "Dallas Ripper" has another nickname - the Eyeball Killer - that tells you all you need to know True Crime Walking Tour of Austin's Unsolved Serial Killer Case. Dean Corll called Southeast Texas home when his family moved here in 1950. Austin police have labeled Meza a "serial killer" and the "worst of the worst," CBS affiliate KEYE-TV reported. In January 2020, police released photographs of a black leather belt found at one of the dump locations they believed likely belonged to the murderer. Meza was on parole at the time of Kendras death for shooting a man during a convenience store robbery and leaving him with permanent injuries. After William Reece led investigators to Kelli Cox and Jessica Cain's remains, Oklahoma prosecutors wanted Reece transported to Oklahoma, so he could face charges for the murder and kidnapping of Tiffany Johnston. PFLUGERVILLE, Texas Authorities were searching a field in Pflugerville earlier this week in connection with accused serial killer Raul Meza Jr., who may be tied The approximate locations of the four recent bodies found in Austin, Texas', Lady Bird Lake, based on estimations from local reports and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services. No, there's not a serial killer on the loose in San Antonio. Victims: 22 to 100. Though 12 percent of the state's residents are black, 45 percent of death row inmates are. Reed, who answered Meza's confession phone call, said Meza told him that he was released from prison in 2016 and, "I end up murdering a lady soon afterwards.". This tour explores Austin's dark history through the infamous historical murders that threw our city into a state of panic and turmoil. CNN's Ed Lavandera has the details. Early Friday morning, crime laboratory officers were seen entering his home in Massapequa Park as a large police presence, led by Suffolk County Police, NY State Police, and other law enforcement partners kept a perimeter. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. HOUSTON, Texas (KWTX) -A serial killer has admitted to the Officers found Fraga's body May 20 while doing a wellness check after loved ones hadn't heard from him for several days. Later that day, when Kelli failed to pick her toddler up from daycare, Cox's mother Jan Bynum, says she knew something was terribly wrong. William Reece pleaded guilty in Galveston and Brazoria Counties and was given three life sentences: one for each murder. Fraga had known Meza since the 1990s and had tried to help him after he was released from prison, according to a lawsuit. A search warrant said Meza had been Fraga's roommate for two years but had moved out of Fraga's house on May 12. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? He later received another four-year sentence for having a weapon in prison. PFLUGERVILLE, Texas - Austin police, Pflugerville police, and the FBI searched a field for leads in connection with a potential serial killer, the City of Pflugerville says. After serving nearly 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting two women in his native Oklahoma, William Reece was released from prison in the fall of 1996. A previous KSAT report notes that Meza has previously lived in San Antonio but details and where exactly he lived were not made available. WebProlific Serial Killer Nurse Charles Cullen May Have Killed As Many As 400 Patients Jul 6, 2023 By: Aaron Rasmussen The murderers 16-year medical career in New Jersey and Pennsylvania ended after he was arrested in 2003. Despite the lack of evidence of foul play, speculation about a possible serial killer has swirled. A sign warns of poor lighting conditions at night on a hike and bike trail along Lady Bird Lake that passes the end of Rainey Street on Sunday, April 2, 2023 in downtown Austin, Texas. However, while police say they have found no signs of trauma on the victims or evidence of foul play, experts on the outside say so many drownings in one place would be a striking coincidence.