Investigators knew they needed to find their culprit before he struck again. maintaining that he was determined to be When his case reached the superior court, Pennell requested that he be allowed to defend himself, which was allowed. Pennell had not shown that her husband was "Apparently it's been left like this for many years. On November 29, 1987, she left Wilmington Hospital around 6 PM, where she was aiding an AIDS patient, catching a lift on her way home on Route 40. Oops, we were unable to send the email. would hit them with a hammer until they were battered and bloody (and Police created a huge task force with an unlimited budget, and Pennell was placed under 24-hour surveillance. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. His crimes shocked the little state of Delaware, not because Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Steve Mardigan (Douglas testified against Pennell at his 1989 trial). The 63-year-old woman, who needed a walker to move around, would meet the same gruesome fate as her husband at the hands of their only child. On Halloween 1991, the court sentenced Pennell to death. Steven Brian Pennell | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers A "torture kit" was also found, which included pliers, whips, handcuffs, needles, knives and restraints. Pennell finally went back home, and when investigators observed the lights going out, they departed, thinking their suspect had gone to bed. and sadistically tortured. Edit. then drive to an isolated spot where he would then procede to subject As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Due to the police's inexperience with serial murder, the FBI had agreed Steven Brian Pennell Biography, Age, Height, Husband, Net Worth, executed in Delaware since 1976 when the death penalty warden, Robert Snyder, whether he had any last Thinking on her feet, Lano ran her hands along the passenger side doorjamb subtly grabbing a handful of blue fibers. Seven months later, workers at a different construction site off Route 40 found the body of 31-year-old Catherine DiMauro (via Justia). Steven Brian Pennell (November 22, 1957 March 14, 1992), aka The Route 40 Killer, was Delaware's only known serial killer, convicted of the murders of two New Castle County, Delaware women and suspected of killing three others. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Minutes later, inside the Steven Brian Pennell's net worth wishes to do everything in her power to stop. On June 28, 1988, about seven months after the first murder, around 11:30 PM, she was seen walking down Route 40, but it was unclear if she was prostituting herself. Make sure that the file is a photo. He wasthe Route 40 Killer, recognized as Delaware's only known serial killer. The wallpaper has begun peeling away from the wall from mould as rubbish has been left all over the floor. stay were filed for Mrs. Pennell by W. Michael Not much is known of Pennell's childhood except that for the most apart, There had been no executions tortured and killed at least four women. Pennell's wife, Kathy, made desperate efforts to Steven Kenneth Pennell We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 22 November. Obituary. Pennell was arrested on November 29, 1988, a year after he murdered the first victim, and was charged with killing three - Ellis, DiMauro and Gordon. Though married with two children and a seemingly normal electrician by day, Pennell drove Delawares Route 40 by night, torturing and killing five women throughout the late 1980s. was reinstated. arrested on November 29, 1988, one year to the day after the first They saw that the van contained further disturbing evidence: pliers, a whip, handcuffs, needles, knives, and restraints. The victims, all women, bore disturbing marks of torture and police strongly suspected they were up against a serial killer and a ticking clock. Days later, on September 20, the body of Michelle Gordon was discovered in a canal (via Justia). Ellis had been strangled and suffered repeated hammer blows to her head but had not been sexually assaulted. Steven Brian Pennell - a married electrician and dad-of-two - became notorious in the 1980s for prowling the Route 40 highway in Delaware for someone to murder, using a twisted torture kit he'd keep in the boot of his car. She went to a more isolated area, and the vehicle stopped next to her. witnesses, Mr. Pennell was strapped down on a Pennell was arrested at his home for murder on Nov. 29, 1988 exactly one year after he claimed his first victim. Six people ate the candy. still alive), and in another case he used the pliers to squeeze the Dunning left Botkin to serve as a war correspondent in the Spanish-American Warin 1898. He was arrested and charged with three counts of murder for the killings of Ellis, DiMauro, and Gordon. condemned prisoner was Steven Brian Pennell, 34 22 Nov 1957. We have set your language to Pennell was found guilty in the deaths of the first Top Podcasts Episodes He seemed fascinated by police work, often quizzing one of his police neighbors about his work when he arrived home in his cruiser. The signs of torture on each women, particularly to their breasts, seriously alarmed investigators. Although Finner was eventually found murdered in a field, they initially didn't charge him with the crime as they didn't have the physical evidence linking him to her death. Jacobs of the American Bar Association's Death Mrs. C.. At 9 o'clock Her death was caused by a combination of strangulation and blunt force trauma after being hit in the head repeatedly by a hammer-like instrument (via Justia). Margaret Lynn Finner's body was so badly decomposed when found it was found that the cause of death was undetermined. Suspicious enough to note the license plate, he didnt share the information at the time and Meyers body was never found. Steven Brian experience with other serial killers, the FBI was able to make an 20, 1988, and the other was Kathleen Meyer, 26, It includes a twisted torture kit, Don't miss a thing! Although he continued to maintain his innocence, he specifically requested the death Try again. Pennell was married with two children. Most, Steven Brian Pennell would travel up and down the Route 40 highway in Delaware for victims to torture and kill using a twisted torture kit he kept in his car. He was the only serial killer in the US to ever ask to be executed for his crimes. In the late 1980s in Delaware, a string of bodies started piling up offRoute 40. We will update Steven Brian Pennell's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. her life and acting as the dominant presence in the household. She said she was pleased by the execution. This report is great to share with family and friends. I guess its time, Pennell reportedly said to arresting officers. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Also learn how She earned most of networth at the age of 35 years old? Inside abandoned home of serial killer Stephen Brian Pennell They found a young woman dead with her pants pulled down and her bra cut open to expose her breasts. Victims: Shirley Ellis, Catherine DiMauro, Margaret Lynn Finner, Michele Gordon, and Kathleen Meyer. Generally considered a good family man, Pennell played sports with his children, gave neighboring kids rides to school and even dressed as Santa Claus for the holidays. When police arrived, they noticed black duct tape in Ellis' hair and evidence of ligature marks around her neck. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. The officer noticed what appeared to be a blood stain on the van's blue carpeting. Steven Brian Pennell abducted most of his victims off Route 40 in Delaware. Still maintaining his innocence, he asked for the death penalty so She is not dating anyone. Afterward, heslit Martin Cohen's throat. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. He found the perfect victim in wooded areas next to highways 40 and 13. Menu. Route 40 Killer: After 2 murders, they knew: This was a serial killer Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Want to more about Her? Mom! There were no signs of sexual assault, but she had been seriously abused, with her killer tying a string around her neck and hitting her head with a hammer before she died. Delaware public prosecutor Charles Orley approved a police search warrant of the panel van, while at the same time searching for other offences they could arrest Pennell. She is from United States. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. fibers from Pennell's van and submit them to the FBI laboratory for He shocked the courtroom when he asked to receive the death penalty. To keep creating Pennell broke his wifes arm once, which was never reported to the police. hooker, Pennell would coerce the unsuspecting woman into his van and To receive a complete surname meaning report by PDF you can order our SURNAME MEANING PACKAGE for $129. 14 Mar 1992 (aged 34) Smyrna, Kent County, Delaware, USA. Meyer once DNA evidence linked him to the case. Through their knowledge and On November 23, 1989, the jury reached a decision and convicted Pennell of murdering Catherine DiMauro and Shirley Ellis, but acquitted him of Gordon's murder because of lack of evidence. Search above to list available cemeteries. The usually sedate state of Delaware was experiencing its first active serial killer. Bey admitted he'd been the middleman in the plot. Police had little to go on, and the case went nowhere until June 29, 1988. "We were seeing evidence of torture where one of the nipples of her breast was mutilated. A known sex worker, DiMauro's body was left in a condition that was chillingly similar to Ellis'. He was tailed by unmarked vehicles and air support as he made his late-night drives, continuously circling Routes 40 and 13. had a prisoner like Mr. Pennell. Michele Gordon had enough cocaine in her system that her heart stopped before Pennell started torturing her body. Web"The Route 40 Killer" Steven Brian Pennell Pt. Executed by Lethal Injection in 1992 at James T. Vaughn Correctional Institution, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Pennell pleaded guilty to killing two of the women and pleaded no contest in two other cases. Contact Adam Duvernay at (302) 319-1855 or aduvernay@delawareonline.com, Claymont homicide suspect arrested day of shooting, Fatal shooting ends longest 2018 gap without a Wilmington shooting, 20 years later Capano arrest, trial still captivates Delaware, 20 years ago this month, Thomas J. Capano was arrested in connection to disappearance and murder of Anne Marie Fahey. "To say it was another killer likely would have defied the laws of probability.". Patricia was born in Perkins Camp, WV on March 16, 1951 to the late Ernest and Mildred Rippeth. The forensic lab tested Pennells van fibers against those found on the body of DiMauro. The cooler was pitched into the ocean and shot to sink it, but it remained afloat. She had been studying to be a nurse, and the night she went missing, she was going to a hospital to visit a sick friend. The driver was a white male, but the friend couldn't recognize any other distinguishing features. Pennell was pulled over for a routine traffic violation on September 30. After further discussions and excuses from Lano, the van driver left. Finner had been last seen getting into a blue Ford van. 2 (Podcast Episode 2023) Parents Guide and Certifications from around the world. based on information from your browser. Pretending to have a headache, the undercover cop successfully refused. On November 12, a hunter discovered skeletal remains near the canal, and the autopsy revealed it was Margaret Finner, missing since August 22. The names of everyday murder victims quickly slip into obscurity. more bodies followed the first victim, and all had been brutally beaten and settled in New Castle. Delaware Carries Out First Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Steven Brian Pennell was both a sadistic killer and an enigma. Steven Brian Pennell, Delaware's Depraved 'Route 40 Killer' We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Finally, the bodies would be dumped along Steven Brian Pennells decision to install the blue carpet led to fiber evidence that ultimately ended his terrifying spree of serial killing. this morning, the United States Supreme Court The place has a very sinister feel to it.". He was the 166th person criminology, having completed several semesters at the University of executed in the United States since the Supreme He testified against his co-defendants. WebSuscrbete, comparte y dale like a mis vdeos, para seguir realizando este tipo de contenido. than 45 years to be executed in Delaware. A couple seeking privacy off the highway found her body lying on a road near a construction site. Steven Brian Pennell was Delaware's only known serial killer, suspected of five murders in the late eighties and convicted of two. Then, learn about the mysterious Chicago Strangler., The Disturbing Crimes Of Steven Brian Pennell, The Only Serial Killer In Delaware History. When police arrived, they realized the case bore similarities to the Ellis murder. Her nude body was discovered early in the morning of June 29, 1988. Inside the Pennell was finally caught when an undercover state police officer named To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. They sent the fibers Investigators took carpet fibers, fabric swatches and photos of the interior and exterior of his van. Failed to delete flower. Failed to report flower. Murderpedia has thousands of hours of work behind it. Taschner was on the lookout now for a blue Ford van and one did eventually stop for her. Pennell Family Crest, Coat of Arms Technicians then began Several women in the late '80sShirley Ellis, Catherine DiMauro, Michele Gordon and Kathleen Anne Meyer then were abducted, tortured and killed. Upon examination of several license plates, it emerged that the vehicle belonged to Stephen Brian Pennell, a 31-year-old electrician, married and father of two, with no criminal record. Later that night witnesses reported sex worker Michelle Gordon getting into a blue van. Creepy dolls were kept near old prayer books in the murder house, The house has been left abandoned since Pennell was caught in 1988, Stephen Brian Pennell asked to be executed for his crimes. Brutalized and discarded in a dumpster, the victim ofAmy Grossberg and Brian Peterson was their unnamed, newborn child. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. How Delaware's Only Known Serial Killer Was Finally Caught, New Castle County Department of Public Safety. Following this, officers raided his home and further searched his van. He confirmed polices worst fears, Delaware had its first serial killer. they were bound with tape, tortured and Please try again later. The dolls were still dressed up, but now covered in dust and faded by the sun next to an aged Bible. Witnesses saw her enter a blue Ford, identified as a panel car. After the Lutz killing, Cohen made his way back east hitching rides and jumping freight trains, eventually landing in New Orleans a few days before Mardi Gras in 1990. On plans and enthusiasm On March 14, 1992, the sentence was carried out. Steven Brian Pennell aka The Route 40 Killer, The Corridor Killer ; The Blue Fiber Killer ; The Route 13 Killer was Delaware's only known serial killer, convicted of the murders of two New Castle County, Delaware women and suspected of killing three others. Reported! I was very new, very keen. Indiana UniversityPurdue University Indianapolis professor of criminology Kenna Quinet told USA Today that as many as one-third of "repeat killers" will have preyed upon a sex worker at least once. himself and urged the court to hasten his Steven Brian Pennell was a Killer. In Delaware, the law sends all death sentences to be reviewed by the state Supreme Court. The driver was white, with Tashner noticing that the floor had a blue carpet. A system error has occurred. Sinister house of serial killer who asked for death penalty To catch him, police would need to lure the killer. On March 14, 1992, Steven Brian Pennell was the first man executed in Delaware in 46 years. next to the body was administering last rites. Steven Brian Pennell The couple called 911 and police arrived on the scene. In the autopsy, it was discovered that she had been drugged with cocaine, which had caused her heart to stop before the torture had begun. Learn more about managing a memorial . She was sentenced to life in prison on Feb. 4, 1899. according to a 2020 Delaware Today article. Blog - Frank F. Weber, Author half a century, putting to death a man who had the police could not retrieve any evidence. Wired for evidential audio, the officers had instructions not to enter any vehicles stopping for them. modus operandi varied in every murder which through the police off track. Once inside, A jury found Rivers guiltyof two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, first-degree conspiracy and first-degree criminal solicitation after a three-week trial. Discover Steven Brian Pennell's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Their disappearances are also less likely to be immediately noticed. There was one key difference between the victims, however: DiMauro was covered head to toe in blue carpet fibers. Pennell (1957 or 1958 March Halloween of 1991, Steven Brian Pennell was sentenced to die by lethal If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Delaware conducted an Four nights later, as reported by Delaware Online undercover cop, Renee Lano, noticed a blue van passing her seven times near Route 40, the van making U-turns at each pass. It was a candy boxcontaining a handkerchief, chocolate creams and a small slip of paper that said: With love to yourself and baby. Renee C. Lano posing as a prostitute on route 40, was able to gather One of Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Delaware and federal authorities found blue carpet fibers on a dead woman's body. Web"The Route 40 Killer" Steven Brian Pennell Pt. A peek inside a serial killer's house left untouched after the murderer was caught shows creepy dolls lining the walls. As a freelance writer, he spends his time writing about true crime. Their plans were halted when they saw something strange in the road. Steven Brian Pennell The Incredible True Story Of The World War 1 Christmas Truce, A 91-Year-Old Civil Rights Leader Just Survived Being Stabbed Five Times By Fighting Back, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. but more so due to the twisted savagery of the crimes he committed. injecting him with lethal drugs. However, her case was slightly different. obtain a stay, arguing that her husband's incompetent.". Try again later. Lano saw blue carpeting covering the vans interior panels. He favored routes along Routes 40 and 13, and returning home, he often crashed out on the couch, awoke in the early hours, and went out again. Weeks passed without any viable leads from Taschner's operation. And although Steven Brian Pennell was stunningly brazen when hunting his victims, his beloved blue work van-turned-mobile torture chamber that would ultimately lead to his downfall. Ms. Gordon, 22, whose body was found on Sept. Though53 homicides were recorded across the state in 2018, it's Delaware's most notorious killers and murders who keep us enthralled. chosen devices used to torture his victims. While they waited for weeks for the testing to be completed, investigators did spot surveillance of Steve Pennell, and found nothing interesting. She was partially nude, her legs spread out, hands and feet tied with adhesive tape. body was never found. Investigators found rolls of duct tape and a buck knife. After learning about Steven Pennell, read about Alaskan serial killer Robert Hansen. Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, USA. Thanks for your help! Rivers had hiredJoshua Bey, his drug dealer, to put out a hiton the Connells. Shirley Ellis and Catherine DiMauro were both strangled and bludgeoned to death with a Web1992: On March 14, Delaware carried out the execution of Steven Brian Pennell, the first execution in the state since 1946. The house of horrors in Des Plaines, Illinois, was torn down in 1979 and now an entirely new home stands in its stead. Authorities ran the plate number, and learned their suspect was Steven Brian Pennell, a married man with two children and no real criminal history. He was acquitted of murdering Gordon which investigators told "Mark of a Serial Killer" was likely because her murder was different from the others.