Andre Rand

Serial Killer

Andre Rand: The Serial Killer of Staten Island

Introduction

Andre Rand, born Frank Rushan, is a convicted child kidnapper and suspected serial killer whose crimes terrorized Staten Island, New York, during the 1970s and 1980s. He was linked to multiple disappearances of children and young adults, many of whom were never found. His connections to the Willowbrook State School, a now-infamous institution for the mentally disabled, added to the sinister nature of his crimes.

Crimes and Victims

Andre Rand worked as a janitor and orderly at Willowbrook State School in the 1960s. After the school was shut down due to allegations of neglect and abuse, Rand continued living in the surrounding abandoned buildings and woods. His involvement in the disappearances of several young individuals led to his eventual conviction.

• Alice Pereira (July 10, 1972): The 5-year-old girl vanished while playing in her Staten Island apartment complex. Although Rand was never charged with her disappearance, he was suspected due to his criminal background.
• Holly Ann Hughes (July 15, 1981): The 7-year-old girl was last seen walking to a store near her home. Witnesses reported seeing Rand with Holly before she disappeared. Her body was never found.
• Tiahease Jackson (August 14, 1983): The 11-year-old girl went missing while on her way to buy food in Staten Island. Like the others, her body was never recovered, but Rand remained a prime suspect.
• Henry Gafforio (1984): A 22-year-old mentally disabled man, Henry was last seen with Rand at a diner before he disappeared. His body was never found.
• Jennifer Schweiger (July 9, 1987): The 12-year-old girl, who had Down syndrome, was last seen walking with Rand. Her remains were discovered a month later in a shallow grave near the abandoned Willowbrook State School. This was the only confirmed murder linked to Rand.

Arrest and Conviction

Andre Rand was arrested in 1987 and charged with the kidnapping and murder of Jennifer Schweiger. Although there was no direct evidence linking him to other disappearances, his connections to multiple missing children led to a second conviction in 2004 for the kidnapping of Holly Ann Hughes. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (2)

Holly Ann Hughes Age: (7), Date of Death: 1981-07-15

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Suspected Victims:

Alice Pereira Age: (5), Date of Death: 1972-07-07

Audrey Lyn Nerenberg Age: (18), Date of Death: 1977-07-05

Shin Lee Age: (44), Date of Death: 1978-07-20

Ethel Louise Atwell Age: (42), Date of Death: 1978-10-24

Tiahese Jackson Age: (11), Date of Death: 1983-08-14

Hank Gafforio Age: (22), Date of Death: 1984-06-09

Andre Rand - Wikipedia

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