Roy Lewis Norris

Serial Killer

Roy Lewis Norris: The Crimes of the "Tool Box Killers"

Background and Early Criminal History

Roy Lewis Norris was born on February 5, 1948, in Greeley, Colorado. Long before he became involved in a series of murders, Norris had accumulated a record of sexual violence. After serving in the United States Navy, he committed several attacks against women and was repeatedly arrested, evaluated and imprisoned. In 1975, he was convicted of rape and sent to the California Men's Colony at San Luis Obispo. While imprisoned, Norris met Lawrence Sigmund Bittaker, an intelligent but deeply violent offender who had been convicted of stabbing a supermarket employee. The two men discussed sexual assault, kidnapping and ways of preventing victims from identifying their attackers. Bittaker was paroled in November 1978, and Norris was released in January 1979. After Norris returned to California, the men resumed their friendship and began turning their prison conversations into a deliberate plan.

The Partnership with Lawrence Bittaker

Bittaker purchased a silver 1977 GMC cargo van that had no rear side windows and a large sliding door. The men later called it "Murder Mack." They modified the rear compartment with a mattress and stored restraints, tools and other equipment inside. They drove through beach communities in Los Angeles County looking for teenage girls who were alone, walking near the road or hitchhiking. Norris frequently helped identify potential victims and physically forced them into the van. Bittaker usually drove while Norris restrained and guarded the abducted girl. The pair took their victims to isolated fire roads in the San Gabriel Mountains, where cries for help were unlikely to be heard. Between June and October 1979, they kidnapped and murdered five girls. ...

Confirmed Victims: (5)

Lucinda Lynn Schaefer Age: (16), Date of Death: 1979-06-24

Survivors:

Robin Robeck , Date of Attack: September 30, 1979

Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris - Wikipedia