John William Hopkins

Serial Killer

John William Hopkins: The Mohawk Valley Ripper

Early Life

John William Hopkins was born on June 3, 1953, in Johnstown, New York. Details about his early life are scarce, but it is known that during his adolescence, he aspired to join the state police, a goal he eventually abandoned. Friends and acquaintances noted his penchant for cruising along the New York State Thruway, often visiting college towns in his Chevy Nova. He was known to wear a cowboy hat and a military coat, attempting to impersonate a trooper. Additionally, he had an unsettling fascination with knives, frequently carrying several in various sheaths.

Crimes

John William Hopkins, infamously known as "The Mohawk Valley Ripper," was an American serial killer and kidnapper who terrorized New York's Mohawk Valley region from 1972 to 1978. His criminal activities included the abduction, rape, and murder of at least three women. He was convicted for two of these murders during his lifetime and was serving two 25-year-to-life sentences until his suicide in 2000. ...

Confirmed Victims: (3)

Joanne Pecheone Age: (19), Date of Death: 1972-01-12

Suspected Victims:

Katherine Kolodziej Age: (17), Date of Death: 1974-11-02

Survivors:

Northville Girl Age: (15), Date of Attack: 1979-08-15

John W. Hopkins