Joseph Donald Ture

Serial Killer

Joseph Donald Ture: Minnesota Serial Killer and Serial Rapist

Overview

Joseph Donald Ture Jr. is an American serial killer, serial rapist, kidnapper, and mass murderer convicted of killing six people in Minnesota between December 1978 and September 1980. His known victims included a mother and three of her children, an 18-year-old student attacked inside her family's home, and a 19-year-old waitress abducted while walking home from work. Ture was also convicted of several nonfatal kidnappings and sexual assaults involving girls and young women. Ture's crimes occurred in different Minnesota communities and initially appeared unrelated. The Huling family was killed with a shotgun in a rural house near Clearwater. Five months later, Marlys Wohlenhaus was beaten inside her home near Afton. In 1980, Diane Edwards was kidnapped from West St. Paul and murdered in another county. Years passed before investigators and prosecutors established that Ture was responsible for all six deaths.

The Huling Family Murders

During the early morning hours of December 15, 1978, an intruder entered the Huling family's isolated home in rural Stearns County near Clearwater, Minnesota. Alice Huling and three of her children were killed during the attack. Alice was assaulted downstairs before being shot. The killer then went upstairs and entered the children's bedrooms. Thirteen-year-old Wayne Huling was awakened when the intruder entered the bedroom he shared with his 11-year-old brother, William "Billy" Huling. When Wayne asked the person to identify himself, the intruder shot and killed him. The gunman then entered the bedrooms of 16-year-old Susan Huling and 12-year-old Patti Huling, shooting each girl in the head. Billy Huling survived by remaining beneath his bedding and pretending to be dead. The gunman fired twice toward him, but both shots missed. After waiting for the intruder to leave, Billy escaped from the house and traveled to a neighbor's residence to obtain help. He became the only surviving eyewitness to the massacre. Four days after the murders, police encountered Ture at the Clearwater Travel Plaza after employees complained about his behavior. He was arrested because the automobile he was driving had been reported stolen. A search of the vehicle uncovered a ski mask, a long metal bar wrapped in material resembling a steering-wheel cover, and a small toy car. Investigators later argued that the metal bar was consistent with a bruise found on Alice Huling and that the toy resembled one missing from the Huling home. Although Ture was interviewed shortly after the killings, he was not charged at the time. The investigation remained unresolved for approximately two decades. Authorities eventually presented evidence that Ture had made incriminating statements to other prisoners. A written confession allegedly dictated by Ture described entering the house, attacking Alice, and shooting the children. Ture denied that the confession was genuine and continued to maintain his innocence. ...

Confirmed Victims: (6)

Alice Huling Age: (36), Date of Death: 1978-12-15

Survivors:

William Billy Huling Age: (11), Date of Attack: 1978-12-15

Joseph Ture Jr. - Wikipedia