Jesse Howell, a 19-year-old male, was tragically killed on March 23, 1997, near railroad tracks in Belleview, Florida. Howell, who was traveling with 16-year-old Wendy Von Huben, had met Ángel Maturino Reséndiz, a notorious serial killer known as 'The Railroad Killer,' earlier that day. Howell and Von Huben had been hitching rides on freight trains, hoping to find work picking oranges.
Reséndiz, who frequently traveled illegally by train, attacked Howell using a railroad air brake coupling, killing him near the tracks. Just hours later, he strangled Von Huben and left her remains wrapped in a blanket and camouflage jacket about 15 miles south of where Howell was found. Howell's body was discovered soon after his murder, but Von Huben remained missing for years.
Reséndiz later confessed to the killings while on death row in Texas, where he had been sentenced for another murder. His confession led authorities to Von Huben's skeletal remains in Wildwood, Florida, in July 2000. Reséndiz admitted to killing at least 11 people across multiple states, primarily near railroad tracks. His motive for Howell and Von Huben's murders was reportedly based on his belief that they were anti-Christian.
Reséndiz was eventually convicted of capital murder and executed by lethal injection in 2006. His crimes spanned the United States and Mexico, making him one of the most infamous serial killers of the late 20th century. Howell and Von Huben's deaths were among the many tragic cases linked to his violent spree.
