Bobby Jack Fowler

Serial Killer

Bobby Jack Fowler: Convicted Violent Offender and Suspected Serial Killer

Bobby Jack Fowler was an American violent sex offender and suspected serial killer whose movements through the United States and Canada placed him near several unsolved murders of young women. Born on June 12, 1939, in Texas, Fowler spent much of his adult life moving from place to place, working temporary construction and roofing jobs and frequently staying in motels. His criminal history included sexual violence, assault, kidnapping, and attempted murder. Although he was never convicted of murder, Canadian police eventually concluded through DNA evidence that Fowler was responsible for the 1974 murder of 16-year-old Colleen MacMillen. He was also considered a strong suspect in the murders of Gale Weys and Pamela Darlington in British Columbia and was investigated in connection with several unsolved killings in Oregon.

A Transient and Violent Offender

Fowler was difficult for investigators to track because he traveled extensively and frequently changed jobs and residences. He worked as a general laborer and roofer and spent periods of time in numerous American states as well as British Columbia. Investigators learned that he had worked for Happy's Roofing in Prince George, British Columbia, during 1974. He commonly traveled in older automobiles, stayed in inexpensive motels, visited bars, and was known to pick up hitchhikers. Those circumstances later became important because several women connected to cases in which he was investigated disappeared while hitchhiking or traveling near major highways. His documented history of violence against women extended for decades. Investigators described Fowler as capable of sudden and extreme violence, particularly during encounters involving women, alcohol, and sexual aggression. The clearest example occurred in Newport, Oregon, in 1995 and ultimately resulted in the imprisonment that ended his freedom permanently.

The June 28, 1995 Newport Attack

On June 28, 1995, Fowler was arrested following a violent attack at the Tides Inn motel in Newport, Oregon. The victim, whose name has generally been withheld publicly, escaped from Fowler by jumping from a second-story motel window. She was unclothed and still had a rope tied around her ankle when she escaped. Fowler had assaulted and restrained her and threatened her during an attempted sexual attack. The extraordinary escape allowed the victim to survive and provided police with a living witness who could describe what Fowler had done. On January 8, 1996, Fowler was convicted of first-degree kidnapping, attempted first-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse, coercion, fourth-degree assault, and menacing. He received a total sentence of 195 months, or 16 years and three months. The conviction was especially significant to later cold-case investigations because authorities obtained identifying information and DNA from Fowler while he was in the criminal justice system. ...

Confirmed Victims: (1)

Colleen MacMillen Age: (16), Date of Death: 1974-08-09

Suspected Victims:

Gale Weys Age: (19), Date of Death: 1973-10-19

Pamela Darlington Age: (19), Date of Death: 1973-11-06

Sheila Swanson Age: (19), Date of Death: 1992-05-03

Melissa Sanders Age: (17), Date of Death: 1992-05-03

Jennifer Kari Esson Age: (15), Date of Death: 1995-01-28

Kara Christine Leas Age: (16), Date of Death: 1995-01-28

Bobby Jack Fowler - Wikipedia