Robert Henry Nicolaus

Serial Killer

Robert Henry Nicolaus: The Father Who Murdered His Children and Later His Former Wife

Overview

Robert Henry Nicolaus was a California murderer responsible for four killings committed more than two decades apart. His victims included his three young children, whom he shot to death together in May 1964, and his former wife, Charlyce "Lisa" Robinson, whom he murdered in Sacramento in February 1985. Because the crimes occurred during separate periods with a lengthy interval between them, Nicolaus has frequently been classified as a serial killer, although the first three murders were committed during a single incident. The Nicolaus case became especially controversial because he was initially sentenced to death for murdering his children, only to have his convictions reduced to second-degree murder by the California Supreme Court. After serving approximately 13 years in prison, he was released on parole in 1977. Less than eight years later, he killed again, demonstrating the devastating consequences of his return to the community.

The Murders of His Three Children

On May 23, 1964, Nicolaus collected his children for what appeared to be an ordinary family outing. Donald and Roberta were his children from a previous relationship with Jean "Jeannie" Lara, while two-year-old Heidi was his daughter with his wife, Lisa Nicolaus. Nicolaus had been troubled by disputes involving his relationships, the custody and upbringing of his older children, and Lisa's decision to leave him. Nicolaus bought the children toys and candy before driving them to an isolated area near Rio Linda, north of Sacramento. He told the children that he had lost a key and instructed them to climb into the trunk of his automobile to search for it. Once all three children were inside, Nicolaus used a handgun to shoot each of them repeatedly in the head at extremely close range. Heidi was shot four times. Roberta and Donald were each shot three times. The children's bodies were left inside the trunk of the vehicle. Evidence from the case indicated that the shootings were intentional and methodical rather than the result of a sudden physical struggle. After the murders, Nicolaus traveled toward the Lake Tahoe area with Lisa and her mother. His behavior reportedly became increasingly strange. He cried, spoke about dying and heaven, asked the women to sing religious hymns, and appeared physically weak. On the morning of May 24, he was transported to Barton Memorial Hospital near Lake Tahoe. At the hospital, Nicolaus approached a nurse with a confession. He stated that he had killed his three children and described taking them for a ride, telling them to enter the trunk and shooting them. Police subsequently located the automobile and discovered the children's bodies inside. ...

Confirmed Victims: (4)

Roberta Nicolaus Age: (7), Date of Death: May 1964

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