Henry Lee Lucas
Information summarized by Matt Bullins, Chelsea Rakes, Meridith Gombar, Ashley Griffith, Kala Hodge, Alison Plummer, Sarah Pitman, Margaret Kosicki Serial killer researched by Lauren Akers, Josette Anderson, Teresa Boyd, Jennifer Dagenhart, Amy C. Hill, Gregory Kerwin, Mary Morrison, Jesse Rosenthal, Jessie Smith, Natilie Flemens, Jamie Kuback
Department of Psychology Radford University Radford, VA 24142-6946
Date
August 23, 1936
Age
0
Life Event
Born in Blacksburg, Virginia to Nellie Viola Dixon (age 40) and Anderson “No Legs” Lucas. Last of nine children, seven placed in foster care, while older brother, Andrew Preston, remained home with Henry. Both parents are alcoholics. Mother was a prostitute. Mother sent him to school dressed like a girl with long, curly hair. Older brother accidentally cut him across the nose and eye. Went to Roanoke hospital for two weeks where his mother visited him only once. Back at school the same eye was ruptured after accidentally being struck with a ruler by his teacher. He was then fitted for a glass eye. Mother strikes him over the head with a two by four, splitting his scalp open to the bone. He lay unconscious for 3 days before someone took him to the hospital. Mother made him watch her have sex with her “clients” and boyfriend, Bernie Dowdy. Became a virtual alcoholic after consistently being given moonshine by his father while helping operate the family still. Bernie Dowdy shows him how to kill animals and then have sex with them after killing a calf by slitting its throat. Henry’s father lost legs in an accident. Becomes obsessed with sex. Has sex with his half brother and with dead animals. Anderson Lucas dies after passing out drunk in the snow. Henry hitchhiked to his half sister’s house in Middlebrook to get away from his abusive mother. Moved back to Blacksburg and sentenced to jail for driving recklessly. Claimed that he abducted a seventeen-year old girl from bust stop and beat her until
1943
7
1944
8
1946
10
1947 1949 1950
11 13 14
1951
15
1952
16
1953
17
1954 1956
18 20
1959 1960
23 24
1961
25
1966 1970
30 34
1971
35
1975
39
1976 1978
40 42
1979 1981
43 45
she was unconscious. Raped her and strangled her to death. There is no record to support this. Henry and his two half-brothers were picked up for burglary. Committed to a vocational school for juvenile delinquents in Beaumont, Virginia. Managed to escape the Christiansburg County Jail. Turned himself in after two weeks. Sent to Beaumont where he lived “luxuriously” with plumbing and electricity. Evaluated by staff to have and IQ score of 76. Released from Beaumont; went to Ingalls, North Carolina to stay with brother Andrew. Soon after traveled to Staunton, Virginia where he lived with his half-sister, Nora Crawford. Claims that he raped his twelve-year old niece. Arrested and convicted for burglar. Sentenced to four years in Richmond penitentiary. Escaped with another inmate from the work crew. Stole a care in Kentucky and headed north to Lenawee County, where half-sister Opal Jennings lived. Captured and served and eighteen month sentence in Ohio for violating federal Dyer Act (transporting a stolen car across state lines). While driving through Ohio meets a girl named Stella. Returned to Virginia to finish his burglary sentence. Engaged in regular homosexual relationships in prison. Released from prison; traveled to Tecumseh, Michigan to stay with his half-sister Opal; he contacts Stella and asked her to marry him. Viola shows up in Michigan and begs Henry to return to Blacksburg. After a night of drinking Viola and Henry argue; Viola strikes Henry with a broom handle; he retaliates by fatally stabbing her and leaving her on the floor; he panicked and drove toward Virginia; Picked up by the State Police eight days later for hitchhiking and sentenced to 20-40 years in prison for second-degree murder of his mother. Prison staff intercepted a letter to Opal hinting that he may commit suicide. He was then evaluated. Admitted to killing his mother and having sex with her corpse. Findings include a low IQ, depression, an “acute situational upset in a person of borderline intelligence”. Re-evaluated nine months later and diagnosed as passiveaggressive personality, dependent type. After claiming to hear voices and attempting suicide by slashing his wrists, he was transferred from Jackson to the state hospital with a diagnosis of “schizophrenic reaction, simple type”; remains in Iona State Hospital for the Criminally Insane for four years Transferred back to Jackson’s maximum security prison Paroled after 10 years to half-sister Nora Crawford in Elkton, Maryland. Claimed he killed two women on the day of his release within sight of the prison. No evidence of this. Two months later he moved to Port Deposit, Maryland where his half-sister Wanda Weaver lived with her husband and three daughters. Went to live with Opal again after a conflict with Wanda. Charged with attempted kidnapping of teenage girls, Leslie Warrne and Marcie Goodwyn, from a bus stop in Palmyra, Michigan. Violated parole by being in possession of handgun. Claimed he “craves women all of the time and had an urge to scare them”. Sentenced to 4-5 years in prison in Jackson. Released from prison after serving three and a half years. Claims he begged not to be released because he was a danger to society. Went to stay with his half-sister Wanda in Perryville, Maryland. Soon after, went to stay with Wanda’s daughter, Lavern, in Pennsylvania where he worked on a mushroom farm. Married Betty Crawford, the widow of his nephew. Began to sexually abuse her three daughters while demanding the girls watch. Threatened to kill them if they told Betty. Meets Ottis Toole for the first time Meets Rhonda Knuckes and moves in with her for three months; accuses her of infidelity and claims that he would rather kill than let anyone else have her; moves back in with Opal and then with Wanda. Meets up with Ottis Toole again and meets his family; Moved in with Ottis and his wife, Novella in Florida. Sarah, Ottis’ mother, died; Ottis and Henry stole her possessions and left with her
1983
47
1984
48
1985
49
1986
50
1987 1988 1989 1990 1995 1998 March 12, 2001
51 52 53 54 59 62 64
grandchildren Becky and Frank. Two months later Ottis and Henry stole Ottis’ brother’s truck. Henry jailed for 3 months for stealing truck. Henry claims that he and Ottis robbed a convenience store in western Georgia and killed the woman clerk. Drove over state lines. Claimed they picked up an couple who ran out of gas; Ottis shot the man; Henry shot the girl, but was disappointed he didn’t get to have sex. Frank and Becky, who claims to be Henry’s lover at age twelve, traveled with the duo. Questioned by Phil Ryan, Texas Rangers, concerning the missing of Kate Rich. Denied he killed her. Claimed he met her through a minister, Mr. Moore, who let him and Becky stay at The House of Prayer. Claimed that Becky ran way with a truck driver and tool all his money. Arrested on a weapon charge. While in jail, he confided in an officer that he had “done some bad things”. Claims he murdered as many as 600 in 27 states between 1975-1983. Confessed to killing Becky on August 24, 1982, having sex with her corpse and cutting her body into nine pieces while scattering it all over a field, and later burying the pieces. Confessed to stabbing Kate Rich to death on September 17, 1982, engaging in intercourse with her corpse, stuffing her into a drain pipe, and later burning the body. He was prompted almost daily with extensive files and information of past murders. He often claimed many as his work. He was given milkshakes, clean clothes, cigarettes, and coffee by Williamson County Sheriff, Jim Boutwell as compensation for his help in the murder cases. Claimed he killed the hitchhiker “Orange Socks” on October 31, 1979. Went to trial on April 2nd and convicted. Later it was found that he could not have done this because he was not in Texas at the time. Recanted his confessions. Claimed the “jig is up” and that the just wanted to show “that the law enforcement doesn’t do its business”. Grand Jury declined to indict him on the three McLennan County murder confessions. “Notable lack of evidence” to support his confessions prompted by the police. The convictions dwindled down to ten murders, nine of which were committed in Texas. He was sentenced one death penalty, five life sentence terms, on life without parole and 210 years in prison. Confession to the murder of Librada Apodaca was not admissible as evidence. After saying his confessions were a hoax, he began talking about murders again. Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed Lucas’s convictions in the “Orange Socks” murder case. Was taken from death row and flown by Florida officers back to Tallahassee after his first execution date of December 3rd was granted a stay. Granted a stay so his false confessions could be investigated. Governor of Texas, George W. Bush Jr., commuted the June 30th death sentence to one life imprisonment. Found dead in Ellis I prison unit where he was serving sentences for nine murders. Died of natural causes. Male White Exact number unknown, 3-600 United States Virginia, Michigan, Texas, supposedly 27 total August 23, 1936 Blacksburg, Virginia Last of nine 8
General Information Sex Race Number of victims Country where killing occurred States where killing occurred Childhood Information Date of birth Location Birth order Number of siblings
XYY? Raised by Birth category Parent’s marital status Family event Age of family event Problems in school? Teased while in school? Physically attractive? Physical defect? Speech defect? Head injury?
Physically abused? Psychologically abused? Sexually abused? Father’s occupation Age of first sexual experience Age when first had intercourse Mother’s occupation Father abused drugs/alcohol Mother abused drugs/alcohol Cognitive Ability Highest grade in school Highest degree Grades in school IQ Work History Served in the military? Branch Type of discharge Saw combat duty Killed enemy during service? Applied for job as a cop? Worked in law enforcement? Fired from jobs? Types of jobs worked Employment status during series Relationships Sexual preference Marital status Number of children Lives with his children Living with Triad
Unknown Both parents, until father died Youngest Married Death of Father 14 Mother made him dress like a girl. Could not accept gifts. No shoes. Learning difficulties reported by teachers. Poor education. Yes No Yes, glass eye No Hit over the head with log at age 7. Scalp was split open and he was sent into a coma. Left eye knocked out by brother and replaced with a glass eye. Mother beat him for accepting a pair of shoes. Attacked him with the wood. Malnourished. Parents were not nice to him. Mother beat him and made him feel like he was not important. Teased by classmates. No, however he was forced to watch mother have sex with different guys. Made illegal liquor 13 14 Prostitute Alcohol Alcohol 8th Poor 76 (first testing), 89 (2nd testing) No N/A N/A N/A N/A No No Left several job but unsure of reason Different types of jobs in different place but little is known about his employment. Worked in an antique shop at one time. Employed at some times during his killings and other crimes but nothing concrete. Heterosexual, homosexual activity has been reported Married, divorced, remarried None N/A Spouse; most of the time with one or the other
Animal torture Fire setting Bed wetting Killer Psychological Information Abused drugs? Abused alcohol? Been to a psychologist? Time in forensic hospital? Diagnosis Killer Criminal History Committed previous crimes? Spend time in jail? Spend time in prison? Killed prior to series? Age? Serial Killing Number of victims Victim type Killer age at start of series Gender of victims Race of victims Age of victims Method of killing Type of serial killer How close did killer live? Killing occurred in home of victim? Killing occurred in home of killer? Weapon Behavior During Crimes Rape? Tortured victims? Stalked victims? Overkill? Quick & efficient? Used blindfold? Bound the victims? After Death Behavior Sex with the body? Mutilated body? Ate part of the body? Drank victim’s blood? Posed the body? Took totem – body part Took totem – personal item Robbed victim or location Disposal of Body Left at scene, no attempt to hide Left at scene, hidden Left at scene, buried Moved, no attempt to hide
Yes Yes Unknown No No No Yes (4 Years) Suicidal Tendencies, Schizophrenia (Simple Type), Passive Aggressive personality (Dependent Type) Yes (Burglary) Yes Yes Yes, 15 and numerous sporadic times afterwards
Reports have ranged from 77-600. 600 were admitted to. 3 are confirmed. Young women, hitch hikers 23 Mostly female, some male Not sure Not sure Stabbing Mostly. Beatings Organized lust, disorganized thrill in some since both Walking distance, drove to the crime, just depending on victim Location varied Location varied Killer brought with him Yes No No Sometimes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No No No No No Yes Yes Yes No
Moved, buried Cut-op and disposed of Moved, too home Sentencing Date killer arrested Date convicted Sentence Killer executed? Name and state of prison Killer committed suicide? Killer killed in prison? Date of death
Yes Yes No Final date on June 15, 1983 Sometime in 1983 75 years in one trial and death in another No Huntsville, Texas both name and location of prison Attempted a few times No March 12, 2001
References
Bellamy, Patrick. Henry Lee Lucas: Deadly Drifter (an online book). http://www.crimelibrary.com Bobit, Bonnie. Henry Lee Lucas. (18, May 2000). Crime Magazine Call, Max. (1991). Hand of Death: The Henry Lee Lucas Story. Lafayette, LA: Prescott Press. Convicted killer Lucas dies in prison. (2001, March 14) Texas/Mexico News Cox, M. (1991). Don‟t let me out. I know I will kill again. New York: Pocket Books. Cox, M. (1991) The confessions of Henry Lee Lucas. New York: Ivey Books Drifter‟s Drive to confess murder on the truth. (1994, October 31). Insight on the News. pg. 12 (3) Execution Looms Even as State Admits Guilt „Highly Improbable‟. (1997-2000). http://www.commondreams.org Graczyk, M. (1991). Serial killer Henry Lee Lucas nearing execution in Texas. (1998, June 15). Corpus Christi Caller Times. Henry Lee Lucas & Ottis Toole. (2001). http://www.home.wanadoo.nl Johns, Jason. (2000)Henry Lee Lucas. http://www.angelfire.com Kurtis, B. (1991). Myth of a serial killer (video recording). New York: Kurtis Productions. Master of cant and recant; a dark tale of mass murder gets even murkier. (1987, January 12). Time, pg. 66(1) Newton, M. (2000). The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers. New York: Checkmark Books. Peterson, Daniel. Lies of a serial killer. (1998, June 22). Newsweek, pg. 64(1) The Actual “Truth” About Lucas. (2001). http://www.robert-a-burns.com