Michael Eugene Sharp

Serial Killer

Michael Eugene Sharp: The West Texas Killer

Background and Early Criminal History

Michael Eugene Sharp was born on April 24, 1954, in Eastland, Texas. He was also known at times by the surname Owensby. Long before he became associated with a series of killings in West Texas, Sharp demonstrated a willingness to use threats, restraint, and violence against vulnerable victims. In March 1975, when he was 20 years old, Sharp entered a woman's home, restrained her, and stole valuables from the residence. The woman survived and provided information that helped authorities identify and arrest him. Sharp was subsequently convicted of aggravated robbery and other offenses and received a 15-year prison sentence. Sharp was paroled in 1979 after serving only a portion of that sentence. He moved to Odessa, Texas, where he obtained employment in the oil industry. To neighbors and coworkers, he appeared to have established a stable life. He had a family, a well-paying job, a comfortable home, and several vehicles. Beneath that respectable appearance, however, investigators later believed that he was searching for opportunities to isolate and attack women and girls.

The Disappearance and Killing of Blanca Guerrero

In May 1982, 18-year-old Blanca Isela Arreola Guerrero disappeared from Odessa. Guerrero was married, pregnant, and employed at a food store. She was reportedly last seen entering or approaching a pickup truck resembling one driven by Sharp. Authorities initially lacked enough evidence to arrest Sharp in connection with Guerrero's disappearance. After Sharp was jailed for the later murders of Brenda Broadway and Christy Elms, investigators questioned him about other unsolved cases. Sharp eventually provided information and drew a map that led detectives to Guerrero's grave. Her body had been concealed in a remote location. Investigators noted similarities between the manner in which Guerrero was buried and the disposal of Sharp's known victims. Because Sharp was already facing a possible death sentence in another case, prosecutors did not bring him to trial for Guerrero's murder. His knowledge of the grave's location, however, caused authorities to attribute her killing to him. The precise date of Guerrero's death was never conclusively established in court, although she is believed to have been killed shortly after her disappearance in May 1982. ...

Confirmed Victims: (3)

Blanca Isela Arreola Guerrero Age: (18), Date of Death: 1982-05-17

Suspected Victims:

William Lawrence McNew Age: (26), Date of Death: 1982-02-09

Tammy Lea Davis Age: (21), Date of Death: 1982-02-09

Michael Eugene Sharp - Wikipedia