NORRIS Roy Lewis

Not to be confused with The Toy-Box Killer.

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"The Tool Box Killers"Roy Norris
Status
Identification Status	Identified
Criminal Status	Deceased
Personal Information
Full Name	Roy Lewis Norris
Born	February 5, 1948 Greeley, Colorado, United States
Died	February 24, 2020 (aged 72) California Medical Facility, Vacaville, California, United States
Gender	Male
Race/Ethnicity	White
Criminal Information
AKA	"The Tool Box Killers"
Offender Type	Serial Killer
Method of Killing	Torture
Accomplice	Lawrence Bittaker
Convictions	First- and second-degree murder Kidnapping Rape Robbery
Criminal penalty	Life imprisonment
Victims	5
Span of crimes	June 24 - October 31, 1979
Country	United States
State	California
Cities	Los Angeles Sunland-Tujunga
Location	San Gabriel Mountains
Date apprehended	November 20, 1979
Imprisonment	Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility California Medical Facility

“ Make noise there, girl. Go ahead and scream or I’ll make you scream! „

~ Roy Norris, in the audio cassette Bittaker and Norris created of themselves raping and torturing their last victim Shirley Lynette Ledford.

Biography

Early life

Roy Lewis Norris, born on February 2, 1948, in Greeley, Colorado, experienced a tumultuous childhood marked by abuse and instability. As a teenager, he displayed signs of violence and criminal behavior.

Criminal Record and Imprisonment

Norris's criminal activities began early, leading to arrests for offenses like theft and assault. In the late 1960s, he faced a conviction for a serious crime and served time in prison. His release did not deter him from a life of criminality.

Criminal Partnership with Lawrence Bittaker

In the early 1970s, Norris formed a partnership with Lawrence Bittaker. Together, they perpetrated a series of crimes that terrorized Southern California, becoming infamous as the "Toolbox Killers."

Modus Operandi

Norris and Bittaker targeted young teenage girls, subjecting them to horrific acts of torture and violence. The crimes were meticulously planned, using a van equipped with tools, leading to the moniker "Toolbox Killers." The brutality of their acts was documented on audio tapes.

Arrest and Cooperation

The reign of the Toolbox Killers ended in 1979 with the apprehension of Norris and Bittaker. Norris cooperated with authorities, testifying against Bittaker. In exchange, he received a reduced sentence.

Sentencing and Imprisonment

In 1980, Roy Norris pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including murder and kidnapping. He received a lengthy prison sentence in exchange for his cooperation and testimony, serving time for his role in the crimes.

Later Years and Death

Despite numerous parole hearings, Norris was repeatedly denied release. He expressed remorse for his actions but acknowledged the impossibility of redemption for such severe crimes. Norris passed away on February 24, 2020, while incarcerated at California State Prison, Sacramento.

Victims

Name	Age	Date of Death	Cause of Death
Cindy Schaefer	16	June 24, 1974	Strangulation
Andrea Hall	18	July 8, 1974	Ice pick/Strangulation
Jackie Gilliam	15	September 3, 1974	Ice pick/Strangulation
Leah Lamp	13	September 3, 1974	Bludgeoning/Strangulation
Shirley Lynette Ledford	16	October 31, 1974	Strangulation

Survivors

Name	Age	Date of Attack	Method of Attack
Robin Robeck		September 30, 1979	Rape

Timeline

Timeline Missing

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Bibliography

Literature

• Rosewood, Jack; Lo, Rebecca (2017). The Toolbox Killers: A Deadly Rape, Torture & Murder Duo, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 978-1979832359

Articles

• Michael Newton. Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris. CrimeLibrary.com.
• Parkman (February 24, 2018). The Toolbox Killers: Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris – Part 1. Parkaman.com.
• Parkman (March 17, 2018). The Toolbox Killers: Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris – Part 2. Parkaman.com.

Documentaries

Television

• The crime documentary series Arrest & Trial has broadcast an episode detailing the murders committed by Bittaker and Norris. This episode was initially broadcast in October 2000.
• Wicked Attraction: Toolbox Killers (August 13, 2009) on IMDb
• The Devil and the Death Penalty (2012) on IMDb
• Evil, I: Southland Stalkers (2012) on IMDb
• City of Angels, City of Death (2021 — ) on IMDb
• The Toolbox Killer (September 2021) on IMDb

YouTube Documentaries

• The Devil and the Death Penalty (2012) on YouTube
• Lawrence Bittaker & Roy Norris : The Toolbox Killers, this is MONSTERS on YouTube
• The Serial Killer Duo Who Savagely Tortured and Murdered California Teens in Their Van, Law&Crime Network on YouTube
• BEYOND EVIL: The Story of Lawrence Bittaker & his accomplice Roy Norris, REALWOMEN/REALSTORIES on YouTube

Podcasts

• The Toolbox Killers - Part 1. Serial Killers with Greg Polcyn & Vanessa Richardson.
• The Toolbox Killers - Part 2. Serial Killers with Greg Polcyn & Vanessa Richardson.

Related Articles

• The Toolbox Killers
  • Lawrence Bittaker

Links

• Roy Norris at Wikipedia
• Roy Norris on IMDb
• Roy Norris. Radford University.