On November 7, 1973, a tragic and gruesome event unfolded in Acampo, California, resulting in the death of Robert Allen Parkin, a 9-year-old boy, along with eight other individuals. This incident, often referred to as the Parkin Massacre, took place in the home of Walter and Joanne Parkin. The victims included Walter Parkin, age 33; his wife, Joanne, age 31; their children, Lisa, age 11, and Robert, age 9; along with their babysitter, Debbie Earl, age 18; her parents, Richard and Wanda Earl; her brother, Ricky Earl, age 15; and her boyfriend, Mark Lang, age 20. The victims were found in a horrifying state, with the two Parkin children shot in the head and lying on the master bedroom bed, while the other seven victims were discovered in the master bedroom walk-in closet.
The motive behind this brutal massacre appeared to be robbery. The perpetrators, William Luther Steelman and Doug Gretzler, were after the money in the safe at the United Market in Victor, California, which was operated by Walter Parkin. Approximately $4000 was stolen from the safe. The killers celebrated their crime by eating Joanne Parkin's birthday cake and making themselves drinks. The crime scene was described by San Joaquin Sheriff Michael M. Canlis as looking like "the work of a madman."
The investigation into the Parkin Massacre led to the arrest of Steelman and Gretzler. Both men were convicted of multiple murders and sentenced to death. The case drew significant attention due to the sheer brutality of the crime and the number of victims involved. The investigation revealed that the killers had been on a murderous spree, starting in Arizona and ending in California. Their capture and subsequent trials were widely covered in the media, highlighting the heinous nature of their crimes and the impact on the community.
The Parkin Massacre remains a chilling reminder of the potential for senseless violence and the devastating effects it can have on families and communities. The memory of Robert Allen Parkin and the other victims continues to be honored by those who remember the tragic events of that day.
