Charlene Adell Gallego

Serial Killer

Charlene Adell Gallego: Accomplice in a Two-Year Serial Murder Spree

Overview

Charlene Adell Gallego, also known as Charlene Williams, was the accomplice of Gerald Armond Gallego in a series of kidnappings and murders committed between September 1978 and November 1980. Although Gerald carried out most of the physical killings, Charlene played a central role in finding victims, gaining their trust, helping abduct them, driving them to isolated locations, cleaning vehicles, disposing of evidence, and attempting to mislead investigators. Their crimes took place in California, Nevada, and Oregon and were ultimately connected to ten murder victims. The Gallegos generally targeted teenage girls and young women, although their final known victims included a young man, Craig Miller. Charlene's importance to the crimes came partly from her ability to approach prospective victims without immediately alarming them. She could present herself as a friendly young woman inviting someone to a party, offering work, or otherwise beginning an apparently harmless conversation. Once a victim entered the couple's vehicle, Gerald would take control with a firearm or restraints. The victims were then transported away from populated areas, and Gerald frequently sexually assaulted the female captives before killing them.

Kippi Vaught and Rhonda Scheffler - September 11, 1978

The first murders firmly associated with the couple occurred on September 11, 1978. Sixteen-year-old Kippi Jacquelyn Vaught and 17-year-old Rhonda Lee Scheffler disappeared after visiting a Sacramento-area shopping mall. According to Charlene's later testimony, Gerald instructed her to find young women for him. Charlene approached Vaught and Scheffler, invited them to a party, and brought them to the couple's van. Gerald then announced that the girls were being kidnapped, restrained their hands and ankles, and drove toward the Sierra foothills near Baxter, California. Charlene temporarily returned to Sacramento, cleaned the van, made herself visible to other people, and later returned in another vehicle. Gerald brought the captives back to the car and directed Charlene to drive toward Sloughhouse in Sacramento County. At the isolated location, Gerald attacked the girls with a tire iron and shot them in the head. Their bodies were discovered two days later in a rural area outside Sacramento. Both had suffered blunt-force injuries, but gunshot wounds caused their deaths. ...

Confirmed Victims: (8)

Rhonda Scheffler Age: (17), Date of Death: 1978-09-11

Gerald and Charlene Gallego - Wikipedia