David Allen Lucas

Serial Killer

David Allen Lucas: The San Diego Throat-Slashing Murders

Overview

David Allen Lucas was convicted of three brutal murders committed in the San Diego County area of California between 1979 and 1984. His known crimes involved the abduction or surprise attack of women and children, the use of a knife, and severe wounds to the victims' throats. He was also convicted of kidnapping and attempting to murder a woman who survived a similarly violent attack and later identified him as her assailant. Lucas came under investigation during a period in which several people had been found with their throats cut in and around San Diego. Although prosecutors attempted to connect him to six killings, the final verdicts were more limited. He was convicted of murdering Suzanne Jacobs, her three-year-old son Colin Jacobs, and 22-year-old college student Anne Catherine Swanke. He was acquitted of killing Gayle Garcia, while jurors were unable to reach verdicts in the deaths of Rhonda Strang and Amber Fisher. Those unresolved murder charges were later dismissed.

The Murders of Suzanne and Colin Jacobs

On May 4, 1979, 31-year-old Suzanne Jacobs was at her home in the eastern portion of San Diego with her three-year-old son, Colin. Suzanne's husband, Michael Jacobs, had left for work at approximately 6:00 that morning. The family was expecting the delivery of a new dinette set, and nothing initially suggested that Suzanne and Colin were in immediate danger. A neighbor later reported seeing a maroon or wine-colored sports car with a dark top in the Jacobs family's driveway between approximately 8:00 and 9:00 that morning. When friends and family attempted to telephone Suzanne later in the morning, no one answered. Michael returned home during the afternoon and found a horrifying scene inside the residence. Suzanne and Colin had both been attacked with a knife. Colin's throat had been cut at least twice, severing major blood vessels in his neck. He also had deep injuries to his fingers, thumb and palm, suggesting that he may have raised his hands or struggled while being attacked. He died from extensive blood loss. Suzanne suffered multiple cuts across her throat, as well as stab wounds near her collarbone, chest and abdomen. One wound damaged her pulmonary artery, while another penetrated deeply into her liver. Her carotid artery and jugular vein were severed. Investigators also documented indications that she may have been strangled or placed under pressure around the neck during the assault. Bloody footwear impressions led from portions of the home toward the kitchen sink. Blood was found on the sink, faucets, drain area, a washcloth, a soap holder and a paper towel, suggesting that the killer had attempted to wash blood from his hands or body before leaving. A handwritten piece of paper recovered from the residence later became part of the evidence used to connect Lucas to the murders. The case remained unsolved for years. Another man, John Massingale, became a suspect after acquaintances claimed that he had described the killings. Massingale was eventually charged, but investigators reconsidered the case after Lucas was arrested in 1984. Handwriting evidence, witness testimony and other circumstantial evidence shifted the investigation toward Lucas. A jury ultimately found Lucas guilty of murdering both Suzanne and Colin. ...

Confirmed Victims: (3)

Suzanne Camille Jacobs Age: (31), Date of Death: May 4, 1979

Suspected Victims:

Gayle Roberta Garcia Age: (29), Date of Death: December 8, 1981

Rhonda Strang Age: (24), Date of Death: August 3, 1984

Amber Fisher Age: (3), Date of Death: August 3, 1984

Survivors:

Unnamed maid Age: (21), Date of Attack: 1973

Jodie Santiago Robertson Age: (34), Date of Attack: June 8, 1984

David Allen Lucas - Wikipedia