Strangler I-70

Serial Killer

The I-70 Strangler: A Chilling Unsolved Serial Killer Case

Overview

The "I-70 Strangler" is the nickname given to a still unidentified serial killer believed to be responsible for a series of murders of young men along the Interstate 70 corridor in the Midwestern United States. These crimes took place between 1980 and 1991, primarily in Indiana and Ohio. The victims were mostly gay or bisexual men, and their bodies were often found strangled and dumped in rural areas near highways. While the identity of the killer remains unknown, the method, victim profile, and locations suggest a single individual was responsible.

Pattern and Victimology

The killer primarily targeted young men in their teens and twenties. Many of the victims were last seen in gay bars or known LGBTQ+ gathering areas in Indianapolis, which suggests the killer may have targeted vulnerable individuals in the gay community. The bodies were typically found dumped in rivers, creeks, or secluded areas near Interstate 70, hence the moniker. Most victims were found partially clothed or nude, and strangulation was the most consistent cause of death.

List of Known Victims

• Michael Andrew Riley – Age 15, found May 28, 1983, in rural Hancock County, Indiana. Last seen in Indianapolis.
• Maurice Taylor – Age 23, found June 7, 1982, in a ditch near Columbus, Indiana. Known to frequent gay bars in Indianapolis.
• Delvoyd Lee Baker – Age 14, found October 3, 1982, near a stream in Hamilton County. Disappeared while walking to a friend's house in Indianapolis.
• Michael Petree – Age 15, found August 5, 1982, near a bridge in rural Hamilton County. Last seen in downtown Indianapolis.
• Eric Roettger – Age 17, found May 1985 in Preble County, Ohio. He had been strangled and discarded in a wooded area.
• Clay Boatman – Age 22, found August 1989 in rural Indiana. Last seen at a gay bar in Indianapolis.
• Otis Anderson – Age 21, found July 1989 in rural Henry County, Indiana. Known to frequent the same areas as other victims.
• Richard Hamilton – Age 20, found in June 1991 in Wayne County, Indiana. Strangled and dumped in a remote area.

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Confirmed Victims: (0)
Suspected Victims:

Michael Petree Age: (15), Date of Death: June 7, 1980

Maurice Taylor Age: (23), Date of Death: 1982-07

Delvoyd Lee Baker Age: (14), Date of Death: October 2, 1982

Michael Andrew Riley Age: (22), Date of Death: May 28, 1983

Eric Allen Roettger Age: (17), Date of Death: May 7, 1985

Michael Allen Glenn Age: (29), Date of Death: 1986-08

James Robbins Age: (21), Date of Death: October 15, 1987

Jean Paul Talbot Age: (26), Date of Death: 1989-05

Steven L. Elliot Age: (26), Date of Death: 1989-08

Clay Russell Boatman Age: (32), Date of Death: August 1990

Thomas Clevenger Jr. Age: (19), Date of Death: August 1990

Otto Gary Becker Age: (42), Date of Death: 1991-10-07

I-70 killer - Wikipedia

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