In the quiet community of Apache Junction, Arizona, the life of 38-year-old Ernest T. Corral was tragically cut short on November 14, 1982. A resident of the town and an employee of Kennecott Mineral Corp., Ernest was an active and engaged member of his community, holding memberships in both the Moose Lodge and the Apache Junction Jaycees. His sudden death sent ripples of shock and grief through the close-knit town, leaving behind a loving family and many friends to mourn his loss.
The
investigation into Ernest's death revealed a grim and horrifying truth: he was a victim of a robbery and murder. The perpetrator was identified as Robert Wayne Danielson, a man whose name would become synonymous with a string of violent crimes. Danielson was not just a murderer; he was a serial killer who had carved a path of terror across multiple states, including Arizona, California, Nevada, and Oregon, between December 1981 and November 1982. His spree of violence included multiple murders and robberies, with Ernest Corral being one of his unfortunate victims.
Following an intensive investigation, law enforcement was able to connect Danielson to the series of brutal crimes. He was subsequently arrested and faced a litany of charges for his heinous acts. Among the numerous counts of aggravated murder brought against him was the charge for the murder of Ernest Corral. The legal proceedings culminated in a conviction, and Robert Wayne Danielson was sentenced to death for his crimes. He remained on death row, paying for his violent rampage, until his own death in prison. For the family of Ernest Corral and the community of Apache Junction, the resolution of the case brought a measure of justice, though the profound impact of their loss would forever remain.
