Frank Osellanie

Serial Killer

Frank Osellanie: Convicted Child Murderer and Suspected Serial Killer

Background

Frank Osellanie was a Scranton, Pennsylvania, businessman and automobile mechanic whose name became associated with several of the region's most disturbing unsolved cases. Although he was convicted of only one murder, investigators considered him a possible or chief suspect in the disappearances of two females and the unsolved killing of another young woman. Because the additional cases were never proven in court, Osellanie is more accurately described as a suspected serial killer rather than a legally confirmed serial murderer. Osellanie operated an automobile repair garage in Scranton. The location of his business became significant because it was near areas connected to some of the missing girls and women later linked to him. Authorities examined similarities among the cases, including the ages of some of the victims, their proximity to Osellanie's garage and the use of fire to conceal evidence in two of the known murders. Despite the suspicions surrounding him, Osellanie denied responsibility for the unresolved cases.

The Murder of Renee Waddle

Osellanie's only confirmed murder victim was nine-year-old Renee Waddle. On May 14, 1989, Renee was abducted, sexually assaulted, tortured and killed. Her partially clothed and burned body was discovered along a wooded private road in Roaring Brook Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. The condition of her remains showed that an attempt had been made to destroy evidence and conceal the nature of the crime. The investigation led authorities to Osellanie, who was arrested and prosecuted in Lackawanna County. Evidence presented at trial established that Renee had been kidnapped and subjected to prolonged violence before her death. The brutality of the crime and the photographs of her charred remains became major issues during Osellanie's later appeal, but the appellate court upheld the handling of the case. Osellanie was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, kidnapping, rape and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. He received a life sentence for second-degree murder, followed by consecutive prison terms of twenty to forty years for kidnapping and rape. Several of the remaining convictions merged with the murder conviction for sentencing purposes. ...

Confirmed Victims: (3)

Renee Waddle Age: (9), Date of Death: 1989

Suspected Victims:

Joanne Williams Age: (22), Date of Death: 1978

Com. v. Osellanie :: 1991 :: Pennsylvania Superior Court Decisions