Doris Wong Lee, aged 62, was tragically found dead in her Oakland Hills home on January 31, 1985. Her death was the result of a violent burglary that escalated into murder. The perpetrator, Anthony Rene Wimberly, broke into her home with the intent to rob it. During the burglary, Wimberly fatally shot Doris Wong Lee and subsequently covered her body with a blanket before fleeing the scene in her stolen car.
Wimberly's crime spree did not end with the murder of Doris Wong Lee.
He was also responsible for the murders of two other women and the rape of a 12-year-old girl during a three-month period from late 1984 to early 1985. His other victims included Anna Arevalo, a 24-year-old secretary, and Marilyn Moore, a beautician. Wimberly's modus operandi involved breaking into homes, committing sexual assaults, and then murdering his victims to eliminate witnesses.
The investigation into Doris Wong Lee's murder quickly led to Wimberly's arrest. He was apprehended on February 5, 1985, just six days after the murder. During police interrogations, Wimberly confessed to the murders and provided details that linked him to the crimes. He also implicated two other men in the murder of Doris Wong Lee, although he later admitted to being the sole perpetrator.
Wimberly's criminal history was extensive, with prior convictions for assault, robbery, and burglary. His repeated offenses and parole violations highlighted systemic issues within the criminal justice system, as he was released on parole multiple times despite his violent tendencies. Following his arrest, Wimberly was charged with multiple counts of murder, rape, and other felonies. He was ultimately convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
The case of Doris Wong Lee's murder and the subsequent arrest and conviction of Anthony Rene Wimberly underscored the dangers posed by repeat offenders and the importance of thorough investigations in bringing justice to victims and their families.
