Gary Duane Rardon

Serial Killer

Gary Duane Rardon: A Detailed Account of His Crimes

Early Life

Gary Duane Rardon was born on September 4, 1943, in Wayne County, North Carolina. His father, William Harley Rardon, was a U.S. Air Force master sergeant, and his mother was a homemaker. Rardon described his upbringing as "too perfect," feeling that he often fell short of his parents' expectations. Despite this, he had aspirations of joining the FBI in his youth. However, his life took a dark turn, leading to a series of violent crimes.

First Murder: 1962

On July 7, 1962, in Indianapolis, Indiana, 23-year-old James Homer Smith, a former Marine, entered a train station seeking a ride east. Rardon, then 19 and absent without leave from the Navy, accepted Smith's offer. Later that day, Rardon shot Smith twice in the head and concealed his body in Smith's car. The body was discovered 12 days later in Washington, Pennsylvania. Rardon claimed self-defense, alleging that Smith had made sexual advances toward him. He was arrested on December 5, 1962, and charged with first-degree murder. On April 19, 1963, he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and received a sentence of 2 to 21 years in prison. He was paroled on May 8, 1967.

1974 Crime Spree

After his release, Rardon remarried and secured employment as a machinist. However, he grew dissatisfied, left his wife, and quit his job. Financial pressures mounted, leading him to modify a shotgun he found, sawing off its barrel. Between November 14 and November 18, 1974, Rardon embarked on a deadly spree in Chicago, Illinois, robbing and killing three men:

• Gene R. Ravenscraft (28): On November 14, 1974, Ravenscraft was working overtime to support his pregnant wife and two children. Alone in his office around 7 P.M., he encountered Rardon, who shot him in the neck and stole $23 and his coat.
• Herbert Noakes (31): A cab driver from Hammond, Indiana, Noakes was killed on November 16, 1974, a week before his planned wedding. Rardon, posing as a passenger, shot Noakes in the neck and took $63.
• Asher Gruenberg (50): On November 18, 1974, Gruenberg, a World War II veteran, was at his desk when Rardon entered and shot him in the neck. Rardon stole Gruenberg's wallet, containing approximately $75 and credit cards, which he later used during his escape.

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Confirmed Victims: (4)

James Homer Smith Age: (23), Date of Death: 1962-07-07

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Gary Rardon - Wikipedia

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