In the winter of 1981, a chilling series of events unfolded in Manhattan, forever marking the life and tragic death of a young woman named Edwina Atkins. At 23 years old, Edwina became the third victim in a month-long killing spree that terrorized the city. Her life was cut short on a cold December day, a life that was just beginning to blossom. The man responsible for her death, and the deaths of five others, was 21-year-old David Bullock, a man whose cheerful demeanor during his crimes was
horrifyingly at odds with the violent acts he committed.
Edwina's path crossed with Bullock's in a cruel twist of fate. It is believed that Bullock confided in her about his previous murders before taking her life. This horrifying detail adds another layer of tragedy to her story, suggesting a betrayal of trust that ended in the most brutal way imaginable. Her death was not an isolated incident but part of a larger, more sinister narrative of violence that gripped the city. Bullock's victims came from all walks of life, a grim testament to the random and senseless nature of his crimes. His victims included an opera singer, his own roommate, and his lover, among others.
The reign of terror instigated by David Bullock came to an end with his arrest. He was charged with six counts of second-degree murder, to which he pleaded guilty. During his trial, the court heard chilling testimony about his motives. Bullock claimed to have felt the 'Christmas spirit' while carrying out the murders, a disturbing and incomprehensible justification for his actions. He showed no remorse for the lives he had taken, and psychiatric evaluations found him to be without any mental disease.
For the murder of Edwina Atkins and his five other victims, David Bullock received a sentence of six consecutive terms of 25 years to life in prison, amounting to a minimum of 150 years. The judge presiding over the case expressed that even this substantial sentence was not enough to atone for the gravity of his crimes. Following her death, Edwina Atkins was laid to rest on Hart Island in the Bronx.
