Arthur Nelson Ream

Serial Killer

Arthur Nelson Ream: Convicted Murderer and Suspected Serial Killer

Background

Arthur Nelson Ream was a Michigan sex offender, convicted murderer, and suspected serial killer whose name became associated with the disappearances of several girls and young women. Ream was born on May 9, 1949, and spent much of his adult life moving through the criminal justice system for sexual offenses involving young victims. His established history of predatory conduct, combined with statements he allegedly made while incarcerated, caused investigators to suspect that his known murder conviction represented only a portion of his crimes. Ream was convicted of killing 13-year-old Cynthia Jocelyn "Cindy" Zarzycki, who disappeared from Eastpointe, Michigan, on April 20, 1986. Cindy was dating Ream's teenage son, placing her within Ream's immediate social circle. Prosecutors argued that Ream used this connection to gain access to her and lure her into a situation where she was isolated and vulnerable. Although Ream was convicted of only one homicide, investigators publicly identified him as a possible suspect in at least five other disappearances. All of those additional cases remained unresolved when Ream died in a Michigan prison hospital on August 15, 2024. Because the missing victims' remains have not been recovered, their disappearance dates should not be treated as confirmed dates of death.

Earlier Sexual Offenses

Ream's criminal history included sexual violence against girls long before he was charged with Cindy Zarzycki's murder. During the 1970s, he was convicted in connection with a sexual assault involving a young victim in Shelby Township, Michigan. He later served additional prison time following another sexual offense in Gladwin County. These convictions demonstrated a persistent pattern of targeting young females. Investigators examining the missing-person cases later associated with Ream considered his history significant because several of the girls disappeared while walking, hitchhiking, visiting public places, or traveling without an adult. Such circumstances could have allowed an offender to approach them without immediately attracting attention. ...

Confirmed Victims: (1)

Cynthia Jocelyn Zarzycki Age: (13), Date of Death: 1986-04-20

Suspected Victims:

Donna Serra Age: (17), Date of Death: 1972

Kimberly King Age: (12), Date of Death: 1979-09

Kim Yarrow Age: (15), Date of Death: 1981-06-08

Kellie Brownlee Age: (17), Date of Death: 1986-05-20

Connie Royce Age: (24), Date of Death: 1990-06-01

What suspected serial child killer Arthur Ream said with his last words