Alton Coleman
Interstate Serial Killer Spree
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Waukegan, Illinois
TIME PERIOD
May - July 1984
VICTIMS
8 confirmed
Alton Coleman, an American serial killer, along with his accomplice Debra Brown, engaged in a violent crime spree across six states—Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky—between May and July 1984, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals. Coleman, who had a significant criminal history including multiple sex crimes, was apprehended on July 20, 1984, after evading law enforcement while facing charges for the rape of a 14-year-old girl. He was sentenced to death in three states and executed by lethal injection in Ohio on April 26, 2002. Debra Brown, who participated in the crimes but had no prior history of violence, was initially sentenced to death in Illinois and Indiana, but her sentences were later commuted to life imprisonment without parole and 140 years, respectively. Significant evidence collected during the investigation included witness testimonies, physical evidence linking the pair to the crime scenes, and their confessions following arrest.
Alton Coleman is theorized to have committed his crimes as part of a broader pattern of escalating violence stemming from his troubled upbringing and prior criminal history, which included multiple sex crimes. Some speculate that his partnership with Debra Brown was not just a coincidence but a calculated decision to enhance the scope and impact of their violent spree across multiple states. Additionally, there are beliefs that Coleman may have had a specific target demographic, focusing on vulnerable individuals, which contributed to the brutality and randomness of the murders.
The Sinister Odyssey of Alton Coleman and Debra Brown
In the shadowed alleys and streets of the Midwest, a reign of terror unfolded between May and July 1984, as Alton Coleman and his accomplice, Debra Brown, embarked on a chilling crime spree that left eight people dead across six states. The trail of violence, beginning in Wisconsin and stretching to Kentucky, left an indelible mark on the communities they ravaged. This is the story of their dark journey, their capture, and the justice that followed.
Early Life and Criminal Background
Born on November 6, 1955, in Waukegan, Illinois, Alton Coleman grew up in a fractured environment. His mother, juggling three jobs, left him in the care of his 73-year-old grandmother. Coleman's early interactions with law enforcement were ominous precursors to his future endeavors. Between 1973 and 1983, he faced charges for sex crimes six times, though two cases were dismissed. In 1973, Coleman pleaded guilty to armed robbery after a harrowing incident involving kidnapping, rape, and theft. Despite being convicted of lesser charges in other instances, his criminal tendencies remained unchecked.
Diagnosed with mixed personality disorder, Coleman exhibited antisocial, narcissistic, and obsessive features, coupled with psychosis and borderline personality disorder. These traits painted a portrait of a deeply troubled individual, one whose mental health issues did little to curb his violent proclivities.
Debra Brown, born on November 11, 1962, was one of eleven children. Her childhood was marked by head trauma and a diagnosis of dependent personality disorder. In 1983, she met Coleman, leaving her family and a fiancé behind. Despite her lack of a violent past, Brown became an active participant in Coleman's vicious crimes, driven by a complex psychological dependency on him.
The Murders Begin
Wisconsin and Illinois
The deadly spree began on May 29, 1984, when nine-year-old Vernita Wheat was abducted from Kenosha, Wisconsin. Coleman had befriended Vernita's mother, Juanita Wheat, before taking the child to Waukegan. Tragically, Vernita's decomposed body was found in an abandoned building on June 19, just blocks from Coleman's grandmother's apartment. Evidence revealed she had been raped and strangled.
As the days passed, Coleman's manipulation of acquaintances continued. On May 31, he charmed his way into Robert Carpenter's home in Waukegan, only to abscond with Carpenter's car under the guise of a short errand.
Indiana and Michigan
In June, the pair's cruelty extended to Gary, Indiana, where they encountered two young girls, Annie and Tamika Turks, aged nine and seven. The brutal sexual assault left Annie alive but claimed the life of Tamika. Her body was discovered on June 19. On the same day, Donna Williams vanished from Gary, later found raped and strangled in Detroit on July 11.
Their violence knew no bounds. On June 28, Coleman and Brown broke into the Michigan home of Palmer and Marjorie Jones, assaulting them before fleeing with money and their vehicle.
Ohio
By July 5, the couple reached Toledo, Ohio, where Coleman befriended Virginia Temple. Shortly after, Temple and her nine-year-old daughter Rachelle were found strangled in their home. The horror didn't end there. On the same day, Coleman and Brown invaded the home of Frank and Dorothy Duvendack, binding them and stealing valuables. The stolen watch from this crime scene would later become a crucial piece of evidence.
In Cincinnati on July 12, Tonnie Storey, a 15-year-old girl, disappeared. Her body was discovered eight days later, with a bracelet from the Temple home beneath her. This prompted the FBI to add Coleman to its Ten Most Wanted list as a "special addition."
The duo's brutality escalated on July 13 in Norwood, Ohio. They attacked Harry and Marlene Walters, leaving Harry unconscious and Marlene dead from a bludgeoning with a candlestick. The evidence was damning—Coleman's fingerprints on a broken soda bottle and bloody shoe prints at the crime scene.
Kentucky and the Return to Ohio
Fleeing to Kentucky, Coleman and Brown kidnapped Oline Carmical Jr., locking him in his car's trunk before abandoning the vehicle in Dayton, Ohio. Carmical was rescued, but the criminals were far from done. They returned to the home of Reverend Millard Gay in Dayton, threatening him with guns. Despite recognizing Coleman from wanted posters, Reverend Gay was spared.
Their final known victim, Eugene Scott, was murdered in Indianapolis as Coleman and Brown stole yet another vehicle.
Capture and Trial
Their spree ended on July 20, 1984, in Evanston, Illinois. A vigilant motorist recognized Coleman and alerted police. Coleman and Brown were apprehended in a park, with Brown found carrying a gun and Coleman with a knife hidden in his socks. Their arrest led to a multi-jurisdictional strategy to ensure swift and certain justice.
Ohio took the first prosecution attempt, convicting Coleman and Brown for the murders of Tonnie Storey and Marlene Walters. Despite multiple appeals, Coleman's death sentence for the Walters murder was upheld. He also received a 20-year sentence for the interstate kidnapping of Oline Carmical.
Execution and Imprisonment
On April 25, 2002, the Ohio Supreme Court denied an appeal against the state's execution plans. A day later, Alton Coleman was executed by lethal injection at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, reciting Psalm 23 as his final words. His execution was witnessed by numerous victims and survivors, marking the end of a brutal chapter in criminal history.
Debra Brown, initially sentenced to death, had her sentence commuted to life without parole in Ohio by Governor Richard Celeste in 1991, citing her low IQ and Coleman’s influence. In Indiana, her death sentence was reduced to 140 years. Brown continues to serve her sentence at the Dayton Correctional Institution, having expressed remorse in a 2005 video.
Motives and Reflections
While some believe Coleman and Brown targeted black victims to blend into their communities, deeper psychological motives were at play. FBI profiler John E. Douglas noted Coleman's incoherent tirades blaming others for his crimes, further complicating their narrative.
In the annals of American crime, Alton Coleman and Debra Brown's story remains a chilling reminder of the human capacity for evil, driven by complex psychological and social factors.
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First Murder Committed
Alton Coleman and Debra Brown abduct and murder 9-year-old Vernita Wheat in Wisconsin.
Bodies Discovered
The decomposed bodies of Vernita Wheat and Tamika Turks are found, revealing the extent of the crimes.
Murders in Ohio
Coleman and Brown murder Virginia and Rachelle Temple in Toledo, Ohio.
Tonnie Storey Disappears
15-year-old Tonnie Storey goes missing; her body is later discovered, leading to intensified investigations.
Arrest of Coleman and Brown
Alton Coleman and Debra Brown are arrested in Evanston, Illinois, after being recognized by a motorist.
Trial Begins
Trial for Coleman and Brown begins, focusing on the murders committed during their crime spree.
Death Sentences
Coleman and Brown are sentenced to death in Ohio for their crimes, with additional sentences in Illinois and Indiana.
Execution of Coleman
Alton Coleman is executed by lethal injection in Ohio after years of legal battles.
Brown's Sentence Commuted
Debra Brown's death sentence is commuted to 140 years in prison, reflecting her mental health issues.
Alton Coleman, an American serial killer, along with his accomplice Debra Brown, engaged in a violent crime spree across six states—Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky—between May and July 1984, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals. Coleman, who had a significant criminal history including multiple sex crimes, was apprehended on July 20, 1984, after evading law enforcement while facing charges for the rape of a 14-year-old girl. He was sentenced to death in three states and executed by lethal injection in Ohio on April 26, 2002. Debra Brown, who participated in the crimes but had no prior history of violence, was initially sentenced to death in Illinois and Indiana, but her sentences were later commuted to life imprisonment without parole and 140 years, respectively. Significant evidence collected during the investigation included witness testimonies, physical evidence linking the pair to the crime scenes, and their confessions following arrest.
Alton Coleman is theorized to have committed his crimes as part of a broader pattern of escalating violence stemming from his troubled upbringing and prior criminal history, which included multiple sex crimes. Some speculate that his partnership with Debra Brown was not just a coincidence but a calculated decision to enhance the scope and impact of their violent spree across multiple states. Additionally, there are beliefs that Coleman may have had a specific target demographic, focusing on vulnerable individuals, which contributed to the brutality and randomness of the murders.
The Sinister Odyssey of Alton Coleman and Debra Brown
In the shadowed alleys and streets of the Midwest, a reign of terror unfolded between May and July 1984, as Alton Coleman and his accomplice, Debra Brown, embarked on a chilling crime spree that left eight people dead across six states. The trail of violence, beginning in Wisconsin and stretching to Kentucky, left an indelible mark on the communities they ravaged. This is the story of their dark journey, their capture, and the justice that followed.
Early Life and Criminal Background
Born on November 6, 1955, in Waukegan, Illinois, Alton Coleman grew up in a fractured environment. His mother, juggling three jobs, left him in the care of his 73-year-old grandmother. Coleman's early interactions with law enforcement were ominous precursors to his future endeavors. Between 1973 and 1983, he faced charges for sex crimes six times, though two cases were dismissed. In 1973, Coleman pleaded guilty to armed robbery after a harrowing incident involving kidnapping, rape, and theft. Despite being convicted of lesser charges in other instances, his criminal tendencies remained unchecked.
Diagnosed with mixed personality disorder, Coleman exhibited antisocial, narcissistic, and obsessive features, coupled with psychosis and borderline personality disorder. These traits painted a portrait of a deeply troubled individual, one whose mental health issues did little to curb his violent proclivities.
Debra Brown, born on November 11, 1962, was one of eleven children. Her childhood was marked by head trauma and a diagnosis of dependent personality disorder. In 1983, she met Coleman, leaving her family and a fiancé behind. Despite her lack of a violent past, Brown became an active participant in Coleman's vicious crimes, driven by a complex psychological dependency on him.
The Murders Begin
Wisconsin and Illinois
The deadly spree began on May 29, 1984, when nine-year-old Vernita Wheat was abducted from Kenosha, Wisconsin. Coleman had befriended Vernita's mother, Juanita Wheat, before taking the child to Waukegan. Tragically, Vernita's decomposed body was found in an abandoned building on June 19, just blocks from Coleman's grandmother's apartment. Evidence revealed she had been raped and strangled.
As the days passed, Coleman's manipulation of acquaintances continued. On May 31, he charmed his way into Robert Carpenter's home in Waukegan, only to abscond with Carpenter's car under the guise of a short errand.
Indiana and Michigan
In June, the pair's cruelty extended to Gary, Indiana, where they encountered two young girls, Annie and Tamika Turks, aged nine and seven. The brutal sexual assault left Annie alive but claimed the life of Tamika. Her body was discovered on June 19. On the same day, Donna Williams vanished from Gary, later found raped and strangled in Detroit on July 11.
Their violence knew no bounds. On June 28, Coleman and Brown broke into the Michigan home of Palmer and Marjorie Jones, assaulting them before fleeing with money and their vehicle.
Ohio
By July 5, the couple reached Toledo, Ohio, where Coleman befriended Virginia Temple. Shortly after, Temple and her nine-year-old daughter Rachelle were found strangled in their home. The horror didn't end there. On the same day, Coleman and Brown invaded the home of Frank and Dorothy Duvendack, binding them and stealing valuables. The stolen watch from this crime scene would later become a crucial piece of evidence.
In Cincinnati on July 12, Tonnie Storey, a 15-year-old girl, disappeared. Her body was discovered eight days later, with a bracelet from the Temple home beneath her. This prompted the FBI to add Coleman to its Ten Most Wanted list as a "special addition."
The duo's brutality escalated on July 13 in Norwood, Ohio. They attacked Harry and Marlene Walters, leaving Harry unconscious and Marlene dead from a bludgeoning with a candlestick. The evidence was damning—Coleman's fingerprints on a broken soda bottle and bloody shoe prints at the crime scene.
Kentucky and the Return to Ohio
Fleeing to Kentucky, Coleman and Brown kidnapped Oline Carmical Jr., locking him in his car's trunk before abandoning the vehicle in Dayton, Ohio. Carmical was rescued, but the criminals were far from done. They returned to the home of Reverend Millard Gay in Dayton, threatening him with guns. Despite recognizing Coleman from wanted posters, Reverend Gay was spared.
Their final known victim, Eugene Scott, was murdered in Indianapolis as Coleman and Brown stole yet another vehicle.
Capture and Trial
Their spree ended on July 20, 1984, in Evanston, Illinois. A vigilant motorist recognized Coleman and alerted police. Coleman and Brown were apprehended in a park, with Brown found carrying a gun and Coleman with a knife hidden in his socks. Their arrest led to a multi-jurisdictional strategy to ensure swift and certain justice.
Ohio took the first prosecution attempt, convicting Coleman and Brown for the murders of Tonnie Storey and Marlene Walters. Despite multiple appeals, Coleman's death sentence for the Walters murder was upheld. He also received a 20-year sentence for the interstate kidnapping of Oline Carmical.
Execution and Imprisonment
On April 25, 2002, the Ohio Supreme Court denied an appeal against the state's execution plans. A day later, Alton Coleman was executed by lethal injection at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, reciting Psalm 23 as his final words. His execution was witnessed by numerous victims and survivors, marking the end of a brutal chapter in criminal history.
Debra Brown, initially sentenced to death, had her sentence commuted to life without parole in Ohio by Governor Richard Celeste in 1991, citing her low IQ and Coleman’s influence. In Indiana, her death sentence was reduced to 140 years. Brown continues to serve her sentence at the Dayton Correctional Institution, having expressed remorse in a 2005 video.
Motives and Reflections
While some believe Coleman and Brown targeted black victims to blend into their communities, deeper psychological motives were at play. FBI profiler John E. Douglas noted Coleman's incoherent tirades blaming others for his crimes, further complicating their narrative.
In the annals of American crime, Alton Coleman and Debra Brown's story remains a chilling reminder of the human capacity for evil, driven by complex psychological and social factors.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Murder Committed
Alton Coleman and Debra Brown abduct and murder 9-year-old Vernita Wheat in Wisconsin.
Bodies Discovered
The decomposed bodies of Vernita Wheat and Tamika Turks are found, revealing the extent of the crimes.
Murders in Ohio
Coleman and Brown murder Virginia and Rachelle Temple in Toledo, Ohio.
Tonnie Storey Disappears
15-year-old Tonnie Storey goes missing; her body is later discovered, leading to intensified investigations.
Arrest of Coleman and Brown
Alton Coleman and Debra Brown are arrested in Evanston, Illinois, after being recognized by a motorist.
Trial Begins
Trial for Coleman and Brown begins, focusing on the murders committed during their crime spree.
Death Sentences
Coleman and Brown are sentenced to death in Ohio for their crimes, with additional sentences in Illinois and Indiana.
Execution of Coleman
Alton Coleman is executed by lethal injection in Ohio after years of legal battles.
Brown's Sentence Commuted
Debra Brown's death sentence is commuted to 140 years in prison, reflecting her mental health issues.