William Devin Howell

Serial Killer

William Devin Howell: A Detailed Account of His Crimes

Overview

William Devin Howell, born on February 11, 1970, is an American serial killer who was convicted of murdering seven individuals in 2003. His crimes are considered among the most heinous in Connecticut's history. Howell targeted vulnerable individuals, many of whom were involved in substance abuse or sex work, and disposed of their bodies behind a shopping plaza in New Britain, an area he referred to as his "garden."

Modus Operandi

Howell operated a blue van, which he ominously dubbed the "murder mobile." He used this vehicle to abduct his victims, commit sexual assaults, and ultimately murder them. The van served as both his transportation and a mobile crime scene.

Victims

• Melanie Ruth Camilini: A 29-year-old mother of two from Seymour, Connecticut. She went missing on January 1, 2003. Camilini had a history of substance abuse and was last seen in the Waterbury area with two men. Her remains were discovered behind the New Britain shopping plaza and identified in 2015.
• Janice Roberts (also known as Danny Lee Whistnant): A 44-year-old transgender woman from New Britain. She was last seen on June 18, 2003, getting into Howell's blue van outside a Stop & Shop in Wethersfield. Howell later confessed to strangling her upon discovering she was transgender. Her remains were found behind the New Britain shopping plaza in 2007 and identified in 2015.
• Diane Cusack: A 55-year-old resident of New Britain. She was last in contact with police on July 9, 2003, during a landlord-tenant dispute. Cusack had a history of substance abuse and had been out of touch with her family for years, leading to her not being reported missing. Her remains were found behind the New Britain shopping plaza in 2007 and identified in 2011.
• Nilsa Arizmendi: A 33-year-old woman reported missing on July 31, 2003. Arizmendi was a heroin user and sex worker living in a motel in Wethersfield. She was last seen on July 25, 2003, getting into Howell's van. Her remains were discovered on April 28, 2015, behind the New Britain shopping plaza.
• Marilyn Gonzalez: A 26-year-old mother of two from Waterbury. She went missing on May 16, 2003, after leaving her home. Her body was found behind the WestFarms shopping mall in Farmington, Connecticut, on April 28, 2015.
• Joyvaline "Joy" Martinez: A 23-year-old woman from East Hartford. She went missing on October 10, 2003, but was not reported missing until March 29, 2004. Martinez was last seen in East Hartford, where she lived with her mother. Her remains were among the first discovered behind the New Britain shopping plaza in 2007 and identified in 2013.
• Mary Jane Menard: A 40-year-old mother of two from Waterbury. Menard was a former addict who had become a substance abuse counselor. She went missing from New Britain in October 2003, and her remains were found behind the New Britain shopping plaza in 2007.

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Confirmed Victims: (7)

Melanie Ruth Camilini Age: (29), Date of Death: January 1, 2003

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Serial Killer William Devin Howell's Crimes

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