Russell Smrekar

Serial Killer

Russell Smrekar: Murders Committed to Silence Witnesses

Introduction

Russell Albin Smrekar was an Illinois murderer whose crimes grew out of an effort to prevent witnesses from testifying against him in relatively minor theft cases. Between December 1975 and October 1976, four people connected to pending criminal proceedings against Smrekar disappeared or were killed. He was convicted of murdering a young married couple, Alvin J. "Jay" Fry and Robin Fry, and decades later confessed to killing two missing witnesses, Michael David Mansfield and Ruth Louise Martin. The contrast between Smrekar's original offenses and the violence he used to escape responsibility was particularly disturbing. The witnesses were expected to testify about stolen property and shoplifting allegationscrimes that ordinarily would have resulted in comparatively limited punishment. Instead of facing those charges, Smrekar systematically removed people who could identify him or provide evidence against him. His actions transformed minor prosecutions into a series of murders that haunted several Illinois communities for more than three decades.

Background and Escalation

Smrekar was born in Joliet, Illinois, in 1955. As a young man, he attended Lincoln College in Lincoln, Illinois. During 1975, he became involved in a burglary case concerning property stolen from a women's dormitory. The stolen items reportedly included a guitar and numerous record albums. Smrekar's roommate, 19-year-old Michael David Mansfield, was an important witness because he had seen Smrekar bring the property into their shared room. Smrekar was also accused of stealing steaks from a Kroger grocery store in Lincoln. Alvin J. "Jay" Fry, a produce manager at the store, witnessed the incident and was expected to testify. Ruth Louise Martin, a local real estate agent who was present when store employees confronted Smrekar, was also placed on the prosecution's witness list. Each of these witnesses became a target before the cases against Smrekar could proceed normally. ...

Confirmed Victims: (2)

Jay Fry Age: (24), Date of Death: 1977-10-09

Suspected Victims:

Michael Mansfield Age: (19), Date of Death: 1975-12-31

Ruth Martin Age: (51), Date of Death: 1976-06-02

Brewster's book about the Russell Smrekar murders purely fictional ...