Oklahoma City Butcher

Serial Killer

The Oklahoma City Butcher: A Detailed Account of His Crimes

Introduction

The Oklahoma City Butcher is the moniker assigned to an unidentified serial killer who terrorized Oklahoma City between 1976 and 1986. The perpetrator targeted young, homeless Native American women, subjecting them to gruesome acts of murder, dismemberment, and mutilation. Despite extensive investigations, the killer's identity remains unknown.

Victims

• Name: Cathy Lyn Shakelford Age: 17 Date Last Seen: Approximately February 1976 Date Found: April 1, 1976 Location Found: Abandoned house at 325 NE 6th Street, Oklahoma City Details: Cathy, a member of the Sac and Fox Nation, had run away from home and was living homeless in Oklahoma City. Her remains were discovered by three oil workers exploring an abandoned house. They found her severed head inside a popcorn bucket, with her face mutilated into a grotesque smile. Other body parts, including her legs, arms, and torso, were scattered throughout the house. Her sexual organs and one hand were missing and never recovered. Cathy remained unidentified until 1993, when DNA testing confirmed her identity after her cousin reported her missing.
• Name: Arley Bell Killian Age: 22 Date Last Seen: April 19, 1979 Date Found: April 19, 1979 Location Found: Various locations near NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City Details: Arley, who had endured severe abuse from her father leading to substance abuse and homelessness, was last seen just hours before her remains were discovered. Children playing basketball saw a dog carrying a human head, prompting a police investigation. Over the following days, more of her body parts were found scattered across the neighborhood, some wrapped in bags or newspapers. All parts were meticulously cleaned, devoid of blood, indicating the killer's methodical approach.
• Name: Tina Marcia Sanders Age: 22 Date Last Seen: March 5, 1986 Date Found: March 6, 1986 Location Found: Alleyway near NE 1st Street, Oklahoma City Details: Tina, a homeless Native American woman, was last seen a day before her remains were found. A resident discovered her torso and left leg in an alleyway. A week later, her head, which had been set on fire, was found in a garbage bin a block away. She was quickly identified due to her distinctive tattoos.

Investigation and Suspects

In the weeks following Tina Sanders' murder, police linked her case to the previous two victims, noting the similarities in the modus operandi: all were young, homeless Native American women who had been dismembered and mutilated. The first two victims had unique cuts on their lower lips, and all were beheaded with their sexual organs removed, which were never found. Notorious serial killer Henry Lee Lucas confessed to the murder of Arley Bell Killian. However, his credibility was questionable, as he had falsely confessed to numerous crimes he didn't commit. Consequently, his involvement in these cases was dismissed. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (3)

Cathy Lyn Shakelford

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Oklahoma City Butcher - Wikipedia

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