Virginia occupies a significant position in American history, serving as the residence of numerous esteemed founding fathers such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Mason, and Patrick Henry. However, alongside its historical prominence, the state has unfortunately witnessed the presence of heinous serial killers over the years. While many of these criminals have been apprehended by law enforcement, the identities of certain perpetrators still elude capture, adding an air of mystery to their acts of violence. In this article, we will explore the lives of ten of the most famous Serial Killers in Virginia.
The Mad Butcher
Between 1962 and 1964, the presence of the infamous “Mad Butcher” instilled fear and panic in the streets of West Virginia. During this period, authorities were left baffled after seven men mysteriously vanished without a trace. In December 1962, a grim discovery shattered the silence when the scattered remains of these individuals were uncovered in the mountains.
The “Mad Butcher” was suspected to be the perpetrator behind these gruesome murders. However, the case was never solved no one was ever convicted for these crimes due to a lack of information. The enigma of the “Mad Butcher” case persists, leaving it as an enduring and unsolved mystery in Virginia’s history.
Charles Manson
Charles Manson was arguably the most well-known serial killer in Virginia’s history. He had a troubled past filled with extended periods of incarceration for a range of offenses. During this time, he briefly encountered Dennis Wilson, one of the founding members and the drummer of The Beach Boys. This gave him access to the Los Angeles music industry, where he dabbled as a singer-songwriter. During his stint in the fringe of the Los Angeles music industry, he formed and gathered a following for a cult, which late came to be known as the Mansion Family in California during the late 1960s.
Manson ordered some of the members of his cult to commit nine murders across four locations between July and August 1969, including the film actress Sharon Tate. He found inspiration in the music of the Beatles and believed their lyrics held profound meaning. Manson associated himself with the term “Helter Skelter,” inspired by The Beatles’ song of the same name. Misinterpreting the lyrics, he believed they foreshadowed an apocalyptic race war that he intended to provoke through the murders. While some, including prosecutor Bugliosi, argued that Manson intended to instigate this war, Manson himself and others contested this claim.
While Charles Manson himself did not physically carry out any murders, he was convicted on seven counts of first-degree murder. He eventually passed away from cardiac arrest on November 19, 2017, while serving his sentence at Corcoran Prison.
Leslie Leon Burchart
Leslie Leon Burchart is a serial killer from Richmond, Virginia, who admitted to murdering at least seven people from 1990 to 1996. A homeless schizophrenic, he was apprehended in 2000 for the killings of three homeless men, with a fourth surviving but injured.
Shockingly, following his arrest, Burchart confessed to the murders of four more women during the Golden Years Murders wave while he was off his medications. Burchart revealed to investigators that he selected his male victims because they mirrored his own identity, while he targeted the women as they resembled his mother.
Burchart’s life came to an end due to cardiovascular complications while he was serving his sentence at Wallens Ridge State Prison on August 1, 2002. Subsequent investigations also linked him to two additional murders that occurred around the same time, based on testimonies he provided.
Charles Severance
Charles Severance is an American serial killer who is currently serving a life sentence for committing three murders. Driven by his deep-seated resentment towards the affluent residents of Alexandria, an act of merciless violence became the chosen path for him. Severance, a figure who captured significant attention, brazenly carried out his killings in broad daylight. Employing a chilling modus operandi, he would approach the doorsteps of his victims and, upon their unsuspecting opening, unleash a fatal barrage of gunfire from his .22-caliber weapon.
The law finally caught up with Severance in March 2014 when authorities discovered a collection of Severance’s writings bearing the ominous title “Knock. Talk. Enter. Kill. Exit. Murder.” Notably, Severance also made multiple attempts to secure political power by standing for election thrice.
The Southside Strangler
Timothy Wilson Spencer, widely known by his moniker “The Southside Strangler” was a black American serial killer responsible for the murder of four women in Southern Virginia in 1987. He used to break into the respective homes of his victims, before subjecting them to r*pe, sodomy, and ultimately strangulation using a belt or rope.
The discovery of another murder in 1984, initially wrongly attributed to a burglar named David Vasquez, shed new light on Timothy Wilson Spencer’s crimes. Authorities apprehended Spencer on January 20, 1988, thanks to the groundbreaking use of DNA evidence in criminal investigations. He was found guilty and put to death in 1994 for the r*pe and murder of the four women.
Notably, Spencer was the first serial killer to be convicted on the basis of DNA evidence in the United States, marking this case as a significant milestone in the application of forensic science in criminal investigations.
Colonial Parkway Murderer
The Colonial Parkway Murders, a perplexing series of unsolved homicides, continues to confound investigators even after almost three decades. Occurring between 1986 and 1989 along the Colonial Parkway, a highway that connects Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, these chilling crimes involved the disappearances of at least eight individuals attributed to an undetected serial killer. Among the victims were three couples whose lifeless bodies were eventually discovered in the vicinity, while another couple remains missing, their fate unknown to this day.
The Colonial Parkway Murders remain an unsolved mystery to date after nearly 30 years. Despite extensive investigations, no one has been convicted, leaving investigators and the families of the victims seeking closure and answers.
One significant development in the investigation came with the arrest of Frank Atwell, a former Gloucester deputy sheriff who had some connections to the case. However, no conclusive evidence linking him to the murders was uncovered. Since then, no further murders resembling the profile of the original killings have taken place.
Briley Brothers
Brothers James “J.B.” and Linwood Briley were the instigators of Richmond, Virginia’s bloodiest killing spree, which occurred over nine months in 1978-1979. Their violent impulses led to a series of savage murders that terrorized both the city and its surrounding suburbs. The victims targeted during this killing spree came from diverse backgrounds, including different races, socio-economic statuses, and locations.
Although the Briley brothers were initially perceived as helpful neighbors who would assist with tasks like fixing cars and mowing lawns, a dark and surreal world existed within their home on Fourth Avenue. They had a fascination with deadly pets, including tarantulas, piranhas, Dobermans, and boa constrictors.
The killing spree began in 1971 when Linwood, then 16 years old, fatally shot an elderly neighbor, Orline Christian, from his bedroom window. The murder almost went undetected, but the small caliber bullet wound on the victim’s back was noticed during her viewing, leading to the discovery of the crime. Linwood was sent to reform school for one year as a result.
In 1979, the Briley brothers, along with accomplice Duncan Meekins, embarked on an eight-month killing spree that shook the city of Richmond. Their victims included a couple, a vending machine serviceman, an elderly woman, a teenager, a disc jockey, a private nurse, and an elderly boarder. Each murder was marked by extreme brutality.
The Briley brothers were eventually apprehended after their final crime, which involved the r*pe and murder of Harvey Wilkerson, his wife Judy Barton, and her five-year-old son. During their escape from death row in 1984, they displayed further violence and hostility toward their captives.
Following their recapture, the Briley brothers faced trials and were sentenced to death. Linwood was executed on October 12, 1984, and James was executed on April 18, 1985, while their younger brother Anthony remains incarcerated.
Melvin David Rees
Melvin David Rees, infamously known as the “S*x Beast,” left a trail of horror across Virginia and Maryland during the late 1950s. This American serial killer claimed the lives of five individuals in a series of brutal murders. One of his victims was Margaret Harold, the girlfriend of an unidentified soldier, whom he s*xually assaulted and killed during a fateful encounter on a highway near Annapolis. Two years later, Rees struck again, mercilessly murdering the entire Jackson family near Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Following his conviction for these heinous crimes, Rees shockingly confessed to two additional murders, leading authorities to suspect his involvement in two more cases. Before his arrest and subsequent imprisonment, Rees lived a seemingly ordinary life as a jazz musician in the Washington, D.C. area.
Reta Mays
Reta Phyllis Mays is an American serial killer who was convicted for the murder of at least seven elderly military veterans. Her crimes took place over an eleven-month period, spanning from July 2017 to June 2018, while she working as a nursing assistant at the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Medical Center in Virginia. Reta Mays was responsible for monitoring patients, taking blood glucose readings, and providing assistance when needed.
Mays took it upon herself to administer lethal doses of insulin to these veterans, going against established protocols and without authorization. Her actions resulted in the tragic deaths of the unsuspecting victims. Eventually apprehended, Mays pleaded guilty to seven counts of second-degree murder in July 2020. Mays was apprehended and subsequently pleaded guilty to seven counts of second-degree murder in July 2020. In May 2021, she was sentenced to seven life terms for the murders and an additional 20 years for one count of assault with intent to commit murder.
Harry Powers
Harry Powers, a notorious serial killer in Virginia, gained infamy for his heinous murders. Born in the Netherlands in 1892, his family settled in Virginia in 1926. In 1927, he married Luella Strother and they resided in Quiet Dell, where Powers had purchased a house. Manipulating many young women by posting many “lonely hearts” ads in newspapers, Powers posed as a wealthy widower seeking love.
When women responded, he persuaded them to withdraw money, then stole from them and ultimately murdered them. Among his victims were Dorothy Lemke, Asta Eicher, her two daughters Greta and Annabel, and her son Harry. During the investigation into the disappearances of Asta Eicher and her children in August 1931, suspicious activity led the police to a man known as “Pierson” who was seen emptying Eicher’s house. Love letters found at the scene provided a crucial lead, eventually leading the authorities to Quiet Dell, where “Pierson” resided with his wife.
Harry Powers was arrested, and a search of his residence uncovered a horrifying crime scene. Four rooms hidden beneath Pierson’s garage contained bloody clothing, hair, a burned bankbook, and a small child’s bloody footprint, solidifying the suspicions surrounding Powers’ involvement. Following a five-day trial, Powers was sentenced to death in December 1931 and was executed by hanging at Moundsville State Penitentiary in March 1932.