John Agrue: Serial Killer and Convicted Murderer
John William Agrue (September 11, 1947 – June 29, 2009) was an American serial killer whose crimes spanned from 1966 to 1982 in Illinois and Colorado. Although he was convicted for only one murder during his lifetime, later investigations and DNA evidence linked him to additional killings. After his death in 2009, law enforcement agencies reexamined several cold cases and concluded that Agrue was responsible for multiple murders.
Early Life and Background
John Agrue was born in El Paso, Texas. Little is publicly known about his childhood, but he became involved in violent crime at a young age. At just 18 years old, he committed his first known murder, a crime that resulted in a lengthy prison sentence. Despite being incarcerated for many years, Agrue was eventually paroled and later committed additional violent offenses.
The Murder of Suzanne "Susan" Marino (1966)
On July 21, 1966, Agrue met his 15-year-old sister-in-law, Suzanne "Susan" Marino, in downtown Joliet, Illinois. He convinced her to accompany him to Hammel Woods Forest Preserve, located southwest of the city.
According to court records and later reports, Agrue made unwanted romantic advances toward Marino. When she rejected him, he became enraged and attacked her with a knife. Marino was stabbed approximately twelve times and died from her injuries.
Following the murder, Agrue returned home and confessed the crime to his wife. At first she did not believe him, but he drove her to the crime scene and showed her where he had left evidence, including Marino's belongings. His wife urged him to surrender. Agrue later confessed to a priest, who contacted authorities. He was arrested two days later.
During questioning, Agrue admitted killing Marino because she rejected his advances. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 to 50 years in prison.
Prison Years and Escape
While serving his sentence, Agrue gained public attention in 1975 when he agreed to donate a kidney to his sister. During a hospital stay connected to the procedure, he escaped from custody on May 11, 1976.
After fleeing through several states using stolen vehicles and false identification, Agrue was captured approximately one week later in Central City, Nebraska. He was returned to Illinois to continue serving his prison sentence.
Parole and Move to Colorado
In January 1982, Agrue was released on parole after serving roughly sixteen years in prison. He relocated to Colorado, initially living in Boulder before moving to Longmont.
Within months of his release, investigators believe he committed two additional murders.
The Murder of Susan Becker (1982)
In late June 1982, Agrue encountered 20-year-old Susan Becker in the Boulder area of Colorado.
Becker was later found dead in Boulder Canyon on July 1, 1982. Investigators determined that she had been stabbed thirteen times in the torso and neck. The violent nature of the attack was similar to Agrue's earlier murder of Susan Marino.
At the time, authorities considered Agrue a possible suspect but lacked sufficient evidence to charge him. Decades later, investigators reexamined the case and concluded that Agrue was the primary and only viable suspect. The Boulder County District Attorney's Office stated that charges would likely have been filed if Agrue had still been alive.
The Murder of Orma B. Smith (1982)
Approximately one week after Becker's body was discovered, Agrue murdered 94-year-old Orma B. Smith, a retired librarian who lived near him in Longmont, Colorado.
On July 8, 1982, Smith was stabbed to death in her apartment. Agrue then transported and discarded her body in the Big Elk Creek Meadows area. Her remains were discovered the following day.
Although Agrue quickly became a suspect, investigators lacked the forensic evidence needed to prosecute him successfully.
The case remained unsolved until after Agrue's death. DNA testing conducted during a cold-case investigation conclusively linked him to Smith's murder. In 2010, authorities officially announced that the case had been solved and identified Agrue as the killer.
Attempted Kidnapping and Final Arrest
On July 15, 1982, just days after Smith's murder, Agrue attempted to abduct a woman at knifepoint on the campus of the University of Colorado Boulder.
The victim resisted, and Agrue was apprehended at the scene. He was later convicted for the attempted kidnapping. Because authorities still lacked enough evidence to charge him with the Colorado murders, he served time for the kidnapping offense and parole violations rather than for homicide.
Death and Cold Case Investigations
John Agrue died on June 29, 2009, in Joliet, Illinois. His death was ruled an accidental overdose of prescription medication.
After his death, relatives discovered newspaper clippings, personal items belonging to women, and materials related to the murders and kidnapping case. Investigators obtained DNA samples and began reviewing unsolved crimes connected to him.
DNA evidence definitively connected Agrue to the murder of Orma B. Smith. Additional investigative findings led authorities to publicly identify him as the likely killer of Susan Becker. As a result, Agrue was officially classified as a serial killer after his death.
Known and Suspected Victims
- Suzanne "Susan" Marino (Age 15) — Murdered July 21, 1966. Stabbed approximately twelve times at Hammel Woods Forest Preserve near Joliet, Illinois. Convicted victim.
- Susan Becker (Age 20) — Last seen in June 1982 near Boulder, Colorado. Body discovered July 1, 1982, in Boulder Canyon. Stabbed thirteen times. Agrue was later identified as the primary suspect.
- Orma B. Smith (Age 94) — Murdered July 8, 1982, in Longmont, Colorado. Body discovered July 9, 1982, in the Big Elk Creek Meadows area. DNA evidence conclusively identified Agrue as the killer.
Legacy
John Agrue's criminal history demonstrates how violent offenders can continue to pose a threat after release from prison. Although only one murder conviction was obtained during his lifetime, later forensic advances revealed a broader pattern of lethal violence. Cold-case investigations conducted after his death ultimately established his responsibility for multiple murders, leading law enforcement officials to classify him as a serial killer.
