Thomas Warren Whisenhant

Serial Killer

Thomas Warren Whisenhant: A Detailed Account of His Crimes

Early Life

Thomas Warren Whisenhant was born on January 29, 1947, in Prichard, Alabama. He was the youngest of four children in a low-income family dominated by his overprotective mother, Emma. This upbringing had a profound impact on his psychological development, leading to a troubled adolescence characterized by moodiness and violent tendencies.

Criminal Beginnings

At the age of 16, on May 6, 1963, Whisenhant became a suspect in the fatal shooting of 72-year-old widow Lexie Haynes in Prichard. Although the murder weapon was found near his home and he had a recent history of criminal behavior, he was never brought to trial due to lack of evidence.

Escalation of Violence

Whisenhant's criminal activities escalated over the years, culminating in a series of brutal murders in Mobile County, Alabama. His known victims include:

• Patricia Hitt: On November 21, 1975, 28-year-old Hitt, a mother of two, was attacked while working at a convenience store. She was beaten and fatally shot in the head. Initially, two other men were arrested for the crime before Whisenhant's involvement was discovered.
• Venora Hyatt: On April 16, 1976, 44-year-old Hyatt was kidnapped from her job as a convenience store clerk. Whisenhant took her to an abandoned house, murdered her, and later returned to mutilate her body. He kept her wristwatch as a trophy, later giving it to his wife.
• Cheryl Lynn Payton: On October 16, 1976, 23-year-old Payton was abducted from the convenience store where she worked. Whisenhant drove her to a secluded area, raped her in his pickup truck, and then shot her in the head. He returned the next day to mutilate her body further. His suspicious behavior near the crime scene led to his capture.

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Confirmed Victims: (3)

Venora Hyatt Age: (44), Date of Death: 1976-04-16

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Thomas Whisenhant - Wikipedia

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