Arthur John Shawcross: The Genesee River Killer
Introduction
Arthur John Shawcross was an American serial killer known as the "Genesee River Killer." He was responsible for the brutal murders of multiple individuals between 1972 and 1989, primarily in upstate New York. His crimes were marked by extreme violence, and he often preyed on vulnerable individuals, including children and sex workers.
Early Crimes: The 1972 Murders
Shawcross committed his first known murders in 1972 in Watertown, New York. His victims were children, and his brutality shocked the community.
- Jack Owen Blake (10 years old) - April 7, 1972: Disappeared while playing outside. His remains were found months later, showing evidence of sexual assault and strangulation.
- Karen Ann Hill (8 years old) - September 2, 1972: Abducted near the Black River, sexually assaulted, and murdered. Her body was discovered under a bridge.
Shawcross was arrested and pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Karen Hill’s case. He served only 14 years of a 25-year sentence before being released in 1987.
The Genesee River Murders (1988-1989)
After his release, Shawcross moved to Rochester, New York, where he began murdering sex workers. These crimes earned him the nickname "The Genesee River Killer."
- Dorothy “Dotsie” Blackburn (27 years old) - March 24, 1988: Strangled to death; her body was found in the Genesee River.
- Anna Marie Steffen (28 years old) - July 9, 1989: Beaten and strangled; found near the river.
- Kimberly Logan (30 years old) - October 21, 1989: Murdered and left in an open field.
- June Cicero (34 years old) - December 17, 1989: Found frozen along the riverbank.
- Marie Welch (22 years old) - November 5, 1989: Strangled and dumped in the river.
- Elizabeth Gibson (29 years old) - November 27, 1989: Beaten and strangled, her body was left near a local bridge.
- Frances Brown (22 years old) - December 28, 1989: Found strangled in a wooded area.
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