David Michael Hughes, a 9-year-old boy, tragically lost his life on January 25, 1973, in Santa Cruz, California. His death was part of a series of murders committed by Herbert Mullin, a serial killer active in the early 1970s. Mullin, who had developed paranoid delusions, believed that his killings were necessary to prevent catastrophic earthquakes.
His crime spree resulted in the deaths of multiple victims, including young David Hughes.
On the day of the murder, Mullin had initially set out to kill Jim Gianera, a former high school friend. However, upon arriving at Gianera’s previous residence, he discovered that his friend had moved. The house was now occupied by Kathy Francis, who unknowingly provided Mullin with Gianera’s new address. After murdering Gianera and his wife, Mullin returned to Francis’ home, where he brutally shot and killed her and her two children—David Hughes, aged 9, and Daemon Francis, aged 4. Following the shooting, Mullin proceeded to stab each victim multiple times.
Authorities swiftly investigated the series of murders, leading to Mullin’s arrest. He was charged with multiple counts of homicide and later convicted. His trial revealed his severe mental illness, though he was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. The tragic death of David Hughes, a young boy caught in the path of a deranged killer, remains a somber chapter in the history of Santa Cruz.
