Elroy Chester

Serial Killer

Elroy Chester: Serial Killer of Port Arthur, Texas

Background

Elroy Chester was an American serial killer, rapist, burglar, and armed robber whose violent crime spree terrorized Port Arthur, Texas, during 1997 and 1998. Born on June 14, 1969, in Jefferson County, Texas, Chester accumulated a criminal record beginning in his late teens. His earlier offenses were largely burglaries, but after his release from prison in March 1997, his criminal behavior escalated dramatically from property crimes to sexual assaults, shootings, and murder. Chester frequently entered homes at night, sometimes cutting telephone lines or interfering with exterior security lights before going inside. He often carried a firearm and sometimes concealed his identity with a mask. His crimes demonstrated preparation and familiarity with burglary techniques developed during years of criminal activity. During the roughly six-month period in which his murders occurred, Chester was associated with numerous burglaries, several sexual assaults, and a series of shootings in the Port Arthur area.

Escalation of Violence

Chester's violent series began during the summer of 1997. On August 3, 1997, he burglarized a Port Arthur residence and stole a .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol. That weapon later became important to investigators because it was connected to shootings committed during his crime spree. On August 9, 1997, Chester entered another residence and sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl after restraining her. The child survived. Only days later, Chester was committing additional robberies and armed attacks. His crimes increasingly involved confronting people inside or around their own homes rather than simply stealing property from empty buildings. On August 16, 1997, 16-year-old Oscar Morales was confronted at his bedroom window by an armed Chester, who demanded money. When Morales attempted to escape, Chester shot him in the leg. Morales survived. Chester later used a similar approach against Matthew Horvatich, shooting him in the shoulder. Horvatich also survived. ...

Confirmed Victims: (5)

John Henry Sepeda Age: (78), Date of Death: 1997-09-20

Survivors:

Unidentified 10-year-old girl Age: (10), Date of Attack: 1997-08-09

Oscar Morales Age: (16), Date of Attack: 1997-08-16

Matthew Horvatich , Date of Attack: 1997

Peggy Johnson , Date of Attack: 1997-11-15

Debra Ferguson , Date of Attack: 1997-11-15

Lorenzo Coronado , Date of Attack: 1997-12-07

Erin DeLeon , Date of Attack: 1998-02-06

Claire DeLeon , Date of Attack: 1998-02-06

Elroy Chester - Death Row Information