Clyde Carl Wilkerson

Serial Killer

Clyde Carl Wilkerson: A Detailed Account of His Crimes

Early Criminal Activities

Clyde Carl Wilkerson, born on November 10, 1938, in Willows, California, began his criminal activities with offenses such as burglary and theft. However, his crimes escalated in severity over time, leading to a series of violent assaults and murders across multiple states.

Notable Crimes and Victims

• Cheryl Burnett
  • Date: June 6, 1965
  • Location: El Cajon, California
  • Details: Wilkerson raped and strangled 19-year-old Cheryl Burnett in her apartment using a curtain cord. Her 2-year-old son was asleep in the next room during the attack. Wilkerson left ritualistic elements at the crime scene, including burning candles around the body and inserting a candle into the victim's vagina. Unbeknownst to him, he left DNA evidence at the scene.
• Louis and Lola Mercer
  • Date: June 20, 1965
  • Location: El Cajon, California
  • Details: Wilkerson broke into the Mercer residence, fatally bludgeoning 62-year-old Louis Mercer with a wrench, inflicting over 20 blows. He then sexually assaulted Louis's 57-year-old wife, Lola, causing severe brain damage. Neighbors, alerted by Lola's screams, intervened, likely saving her life. DNA evidence was collected from this crime scene as well.
• Geraldine Martin
  • Date: February 5, 1975
  • Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Details: Geraldine Martin, a 28-year-old student, was abducted from the parking lot of Tulsa Junior College's downtown campus. Her body was discovered three weeks later in a vacant apartment; she had been raped and strangled. Decades later, DNA evidence linked Wilkerson to the crime, leading to his conviction.

Apprehension and Convictions

In July 1965, Wilkerson attacked a nurse in her home in La Mesa, California. The victim survived the brutal assault, and a neighbor, suspicious of recent prowlers, noted Wilkerson's license plate number. This information led to his arrest, and he was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison. On January 25, 1976, Wilkerson raped a young woman at knifepoint in Judsonia, Arkansas. Remarkably, he allowed her to live, and she provided authorities with descriptions of Wilkerson and his vehicle, leading to his capture. He served approximately eight years before being paroled. Two years later, he was arrested again for assault in Texas. In July 1987, he was incarcerated for selling a controlled substance. In total, Wilkerson spent over 15 years in prison for various offenses, including rape, burglary, assault, and drug-related crimes. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (4)

Cheryl Burnett Age: (19), Date of Death: 1965-06-06

    ...View 3 additional victims

DNA test finds suspect in '75 killing - Tulsa World

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