David Leonard Wood

Serial Killer

David Leonard Wood, the Desert Killer

Overview

David Leonard Wood is a convicted Texas serial killer known as the "Desert Killer." He was linked to a series of murders and disappearances in the El Paso, Texas area during 1987. The victims were girls and young women, several of whom were last seen in Northeast El Paso before their bodies were later found buried in shallow graves in desert terrain outside the city. Wood was convicted in 1992 and sentenced to death on January 14, 1993. The case became one of El Paso's most disturbing murder investigations because of the ages of the victims, the remote burial sites, and the pattern investigators believed connected the crimes. Most of the victims disappeared within a few months of one another. Their remains were discovered over time between September 1987 and March 1988 in desert areas northeast of El Paso. Prosecutors argued that Wood targeted vulnerable girls and young women, drove them into isolated areas, sexually assaulted them, killed them, and buried them in shallow graves.

Background

David Leonard Wood was born on June 20, 1957, in San Angelo, Texas. Before the murder case, he already had a record involving sexual offenses. In the late 1970s, he was convicted of indecency with a child. In 1980, he was convicted in connection with sexual assaults and received a prison sentence. He was later released on parole and returned to the El Paso area in January 1987. After his release, Wood lived and worked around El Paso. He was described as having long hair, tattoos, and an ability to move easily among young people, dancers, and people connected to bars or the local nightlife scene. Investigators later focused on the fact that several victims had either been seen near areas Wood frequented or had some possible connection to him or to places he was known to visit. ...

Confirmed Victims: (6)

Desiree Wheatley Age: (15), Date of Death: 1987-06-02

Suspected Victims:

Melissa Alaniz Age: (12), Date of Death: March 7, 1987

Marjorie Knox Age: (14), Date of Death: 1987-02-14

Cheryl Lynn Vasquez-Dismukes Age: (19), Date of Death: 1987-06-28

David Leonard Wood - Wikipedia