Biography[]
David Carpenter (born May 6, 1930) and also known as the "Trailside Killer," was an American serial killer convicted of multiple murders.
Early life[]
David Joseph Carpenter was born on May 6, 1930, in San Francisco, California. His upbringing was marked by difficulties, and he had a troubled relationship with his parents.
Criminal History[]
Carpenter's criminal activities began early, with various incidents of burglary and theft. However, his more sinister crimes came to light in the late 1970s.
Murder Spree[]
Between 1979 and 1981, Carpenter embarked on a murder spree that terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area. His victims were often young women who enjoyed outdoor activities. Carpenter earned the moniker "Trailside Killer" because many of the attacks occurred near hiking trails.
Victims[]
Carpenter's known victims include Ellen Hansen, Heather Scaggs, Anne Alderson, Shauna May, and Diane O'Connell, among others. The victims were sexually assaulted and murdered in brutal ways.
Arrest and Trial[]
Carpenter was arrested on May 14, 1981, and he stood trial for the murders. His trial, which gained significant media attention, revealed a pattern of predatory behavior and violence. In 1984, he was convicted of multiple counts of murder and sentenced to die in the gas chamber.
Death Penalty and Imprisonment[]
Despite being sentenced to death, Carpenter's execution was repeatedly delayed due to legal challenges. He still incarcerated on death row at San Quentin State Prison.
Victims[]
Confirmed victims[]
| Name | Age | Date of Death | Location | Cause of Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Frances Bennett[note 1] | 23 | October 21, 1979 | Lands End trail, San Francisco, California | Stabbing |
| Richard Stowers | 19 | October 11, 1980 | Point Reyes National Seashore park, Point Reyes Station, California | Shooting |
| Cynthia Moreland | 18 | October 11, 1980 | Point Reyes National Seashore park, Point Reyes Station, California | Shooting |
| Anne Alderson | 26 | October 15, 1980 | near Mount Tamalpais, Marin County, California | Shooting |
| Shauna May | 25 | November 28, 1980 | Point Reyes National Seashore park, Point Reyes Station, California | Shooting |
| Diane O'Connell | 22 | November 28, 1980 | Point Reyes National Seashore park, Point Reyes Station, California | Shooting |
| Ellen Marie Hansen[note 2] | 20 | March 29, 1981 | Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Santa Cruz County, California | Shooting |
| Heather Scaggs[note 3] | 20 | May 2, 1981 | Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Santa Cruz County, California | Shooting |
Survivors[]
| Name | Age | Date of Attack | Location | Method of Attack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lois Irene DeAndrade Rinna[note 4] | July 1960 | Bludgeoning | ||
| Cheryl Lynn Smith | January 27, 1970 | Stabbing | ||
| Wilma Joyce[note 5] | January 27, 1970 | |||
| Steven Haertle | March 29, 1981 | Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Santa Cruz County, California |
Suspected victims[]
| Name | Age | Date of Death | Location | Cause of Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edda Kane | 44 | August 19, 1979 | near Mount Tamalpais, Marin County, California | Shooting |
| Barbara Schwartz | 23 | March 8, 1980 | near Mount Tamalpais, Marin County, California | Stabbing |
Timeline[]
Bibliography[]
Literature[]
Articles[]
Documentaries[]
Television[]
YouTube Documentaries[]
- The Trailside Killer: David Carpenter (Born To Kill), Our Life on YouTube
Podcasts[]
- David Joseph Carpenter. Serial Killers with Greg Polcyn & Vanessa Richardson.
In popular culture[]
Film adaptation[]
Related Articles[]
See also[]
Links[]
- David Carpenter at Wikipedia
- David Carpenter on IMDb
- David Carpenter. Radford University.