Henry Lee Lucas

Serial Killer

Henry Lee Lucas: A Detailed Account of His Crimes

Early Life and Background

Henry Lee Lucas was born on August 23, 1936, in Blacksburg, Virginia. He endured a traumatic childhood marked by abuse and neglect. His mother, Viola Lucas, was a violent alcoholic who worked as a prostitute, often forcing young Henry to watch her engage with clients. His father, Anderson Lucas, was a double amputee who succumbed to hypothermia after a night spent outdoors to escape his wife's wrath. These early experiences contributed to Lucas's troubled psyche.

First Known Murder: Matricide

On January 11, 1960, Lucas's tumultuous relationship with his mother culminated in violence. During a heated argument in Tecumseh, Michigan, Viola struck Henry with a broomstick. In retaliation, he stabbed her in the neck, leading to her death. Lucas was arrested and sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder but was released in June 1970 after serving ten years.

Association with Ottis Toole and Subsequent Crimes

After his release, Lucas drifted across various states, engaging in petty crimes. In 1976, he met Ottis Toole in Jacksonville, Florida. The two formed a close bond, both personally and criminally. Together, they embarked on a series of violent crimes, targeting vulnerable individuals across multiple states. Their victims often included hitchhikers, sex workers, and migrants. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (3)

Nellie Viola Lucas Age: (71), Date of Death: January 11, 1960

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Suspected Victims:

Marie Petry Heiser Age: (50), Date of Death: June 27, 1977

Stella McLean Age: (45), Date of Death: February 7, 1978

Janet Callies Age: (40), Date of Death: November 15, 1978

Cheryl Anne Scherer Age: (19), Date of Death: April 17, 1979

Kathy Ann Smith Age: (22), Date of Death: Discovered on June 21, 1979

Jerilyn Peoples Age: (18), Date of Death: February 10, 1981

Barbara Begley Age: (17), Date of Death: April 18, 1982

Patricia Marie Hicks Dahlstrom Age: (28), Date of Death: September 1982

Librada Apodaca Age: (71), Date of Death: May 27, 1983

Henry Lee Lucas - Wikipedia

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