Shirley Winters – Convicted Murderer, Arsonist, and Suspected Serial Killer
Overview
Shirley Winters (born February 27, 1958) is a convicted murderer and arsonist from upstate New York. She was convicted for killing her infant son, Ronald Winters III, and drowning toddler Ryan Rivers. Authorities also suspect her involvement in multiple suspicious child deaths and house fires dating back to the 1960s .
Confirmed Victims
- Ronald Winters III – 5‑month‑old son. Smothered on November 21, 1980 in Otisco, NY. Initially ruled SIDS; later determined homicide upon exhumation in 2007 .
- Ryan Rivers – 23‑month‑old non‑relative. Drowned in a bathtub on November 28, 2006 at grandparents’ home in Pierrepont (St. Lawrence County), NY. Indicted August 2007; pleaded guilty April 21, 2008 .
Suspected Victims and Incidents
- Colleen Winters – 3‑year‑old daughter. Died September 12, 1979 in cabin fire at Hyde Lake, Theresa, NY. Exhumed March 2007; blunt‑force trauma found before fire .
- John Winters – 20‑month‑old son. Also died in same Hyde Lake fire, September 1979; similarly exhumed and found to have blunt head injuries .
- Three children of a friend – Died in a fire in Hermon, NY in 1979, the day before the Hyde Lake fire. Shirley was present; fire later re‑investigated .
- Three siblings – In March 1966, a 10‑year‑old brother and 4‑ and 11‑year‑old sisters died from an apparent carbon‑monoxide leak at the family home; suspicion surrounds her proximity .
- Multiple house fires (1979–1997) – She was connected to at least 17 suspicious fires at homes she or family members resided in; nine were ruled arson. Convicted once in 1997 arson and pleaded guilty in 1981 for criminal mischief ◆ .
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Account
