Richard Anthony Jr. Grissom: A Detailed Account of His Crimes
Early Life
Richard Anthony Grissom Jr. was born on November 10, 1960, on an American military installation in South Korea. He was adopted by U.S. army Sergeant Richard Grissom Sr. and his wife Fredonia, an African American couple. The family moved across numerous states before finally settling in Kansas.
First Murder: Hazel Meeker
On January 27, 1977, Grissom, then a teenager, had an argument with his parents and left their home. He stole a railroad spike, broke into the home of his neighbor, 72-year-old Hazel Meeker, and viciously beat her to death. He was apprehended shortly after and confessed to the murder.
Later Crimes
In June 1989, Grissom kidnapped and murdered three young women in the Kansas City metropolitan area. His victims were:
- Joan A. Butler, 24, Overland Park, Kansas
- Theresa Brown, 22, Lenexa, Kansas
- Christine Rusch, 22, Lenexa, Kansas
Grissom was a house painter and maintenance worker who frequented Lawrence discos. He was found at a Lawrence apartment complex with the car leased by Butler. He eluded a police search but was later tracked to Texas and arrested at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
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Account
