Margaret Elizabeth Whitman, a 43-year-old white female, was tragically murdered on August 1, 1966, in Austin, Texas. Born on October 26, 1922, in Savannah, Georgia, Margaret had recently separated from her husband, Charles Adolphus Whitman Jr., just months before her death. She was the mother of three sons, including Charles Joseph Whitman, who would become infamous for one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history.
On the morning of August 1, 1966, Margaret Elizabeth Whitman
was killed in her home by her eldest son, Charles Joseph Whitman. Her murder was the first in a series of violent acts committed by Charles that day. After killing his mother, he also murdered his wife, Kathleen Whitman, before heading to the University of Texas at Austin. There, he ascended the university's iconic tower and opened fire on people below, killing 14 and wounding dozens more before being shot and killed by police.
Margaret's death was a calculated act by her son, who left behind notes explaining his motives. In one note, Charles stated that he killed his mother to spare her the shame of his actions and because he believed she had suffered greatly in life. There were no other suspects or arrests in connection with Margaret Elizabeth Whitman's death, as Charles Joseph Whitman was both the perpetrator and one of the victims of the day's violence.
Margaret was buried in Hillcrest Memorial Park in West Palm Beach, Florida. Her murder remains a chilling prelude to the tragic events that unfolded later that day, marking her as the first victim in one of the most notorious mass shootings in U.S. history.
