Alton Coleman

Serial Killer

Alton Coleman: The 1984 Midwest Murder Spree

Alton Coleman was an American serial killer whose violent 1984 crime spree, committed largely with his companion Debra Denise Brown, crossed six states and left eight people dead. During approximately seven weeks, Coleman and Brown moved through Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky while committing murders, kidnappings, sexual assaults, attempted murders, robberies, home invasions, beatings, and automobile thefts. Their constantly changing locations and stolen vehicles made the pair difficult for authorities to track and eventually resulted in a nationwide manhunt. Coleman was born on November 6, 1955, in Waukegan, Illinois. He had accumulated a lengthy criminal history before the 1984 spree, including allegations and prosecutions involving sexual violence and unlawful restraint. By the spring of 1984, he was again facing serious criminal charges. Instead of remaining in the area to face the legal proceedings, Coleman fled and began traveling with Brown. What followed became one of the most notorious interstate crime sprees of the era.

Debra Brown and the Beginning of the Spree

Debra Denise Brown became Coleman's companion and accomplice during the 1984 crimes. The pair frequently gained access to victims by appearing friendly, asking for assistance, pretending to be interested in purchasing something, or establishing enough trust to be invited into a home. They then used violence, threats, restraint, and robbery before taking money, property, or vehicles that allowed them to continue traveling. The first murder for which Coleman was ultimately convicted involved nine-year-old Vernita Wheat of Kenosha, Wisconsin. Coleman had introduced himself to Vernita's mother under the name Robert Knight and gradually gained her trust. On May 29, 1984, Vernita was allowed to accompany Coleman after he claimed he was going to obtain a stereo. Witnesses subsequently saw Coleman traveling with the child from Kenosha toward Waukegan, Illinois. Vernita never returned home. Her body was discovered on June 19, 1984, inside the bathroom of an abandoned building in Waukegan. She had been bound with cable and strangled. Medical testimony estimated that she had died approximately three weeks before her body was discovered, while forensic insect evidence indicated that her body had been placed in the abandoned building on May 29 or May 30. Coleman's fingerprint was discovered on the bathroom door. He was eventually convicted of Vernita's kidnapping and murder.

The Gary, Indiana Attacks

By June, Coleman and Brown were in Gary, Indiana. On June 18, 1984, they approached two young girls, seven-year-old Tamika Turks and an older girl identified in court proceedings by the initials A.H. The pair enticed the children into a wooded area. Both children were restrained. Tamika was brutally assaulted and strangled. A.H. was sexually assaulted and then strangled with belts until she lost consciousness. Coleman and Brown apparently believed she was dead and left her behind. She regained consciousness and managed to reach help. Her survival became extremely important to the prosecution because she was able to describe the attack and identify Coleman. Tamika Turks died on June 18, 1984, in Gary. Her body was found in the wooded area with material tied around her neck. Coleman was later convicted in Indiana of murder, attempted murder, and child molestation in connection with the attack. ...

Confirmed Victims: (8)

Vernita Wheat Age: (9), Date of Death: 1984-05-29

Survivors:

A.H. , Date of Attack: 1984-06-18

Palmer Jones , Date of Attack: 1984-06-28

Marjorie Jones , Date of Attack: 1984-06-28

Frank Duvendack , Date of Attack: 1984-07-07

Dorothy Duvendack , Date of Attack: 1984-07-07

Harry Walters , Date of Attack: 1984-07-13

Oline Carmical , Date of Attack: 1984-07-17

Millard Gay , Date of Attack: 1984-07-17

Kathryn Gay , Date of Attack: 1984-07-17

Alton Coleman - Wikipedia