The Sinister Trail of Anthony LaRette

The Making of a Serial Killer

Anthony Joe LaRette Jr. was born on October 1, 1951, in Topeka, Kansas. By the time of his death on November 29, 1995, at the Potosi Correctional Center in Missouri, he had become an infamous figure in the annals of American crime—a serial killer and rapist whose dark deeds spanned from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. Convicted of the brutal murder of Mary Fleming in St. Charles, Missouri, in 1980, LaRette confessed to a staggering thirty-one murders across eleven states. Despite his confessions, only fifteen cases were closed based on the information he provided. Ultimately, LaRette was executed by lethal injection, having spent his final years on death row.

A String of Horrors Begins

It was August 1976 when LaRette, under the alias "Mike Watson," checked into two motels in Marathon, Florida. On August 20, he slipped into the home of Jeanette "Mickey" Wade, a 26-year-old woman who had just returned from work. LaRette confronted her in the kitchen, stabbing her multiple times before slashing her throat. He then fled the scene, hitchhiking out of the city. Despite a witness's description, LaRette evaded capture.

A mere three days later, LaRette struck again in St. Petersburg, taking the life of 52-year-old Betty H. Brunton, an employee at Memorial Park Cemetery. He followed her home, stabbed her to death, and left the knife lodged in her stomach. Her coworkers discovered her body, initially mistaking her death for a sudden illness. The murder remained unsolved, though speculation in 1979 linked it to a different inmate, but no solid connection was made.

In December 1977, LaRette prowled Kansas City, Missouri, where he encountered Beverly Wortmann, a 24-year-old reporter. He followed her to her apartment, stabbing her 19 times before slashing her throat. A man reading the Bible nearby was briefly suspected but released due to lack of evidence.

LaRette continued his spree in May 1978 with the murder of 60-year-old Helen Alderson Hall, a woman from a prominent greyhound racing family in St. Petersburg. Her son found her bludgeoned to death with no signs of forced entry, and her light-green Lincoln Continental stolen. Despite the missing vehicle, authorities couldn't pinpoint any suspects.

In November 1978, Tracey Gladys Miller, a 26-year-old from Manhattan, Kansas, was found dead at home. She had been stabbed numerous times, her throat slashed. Despite efforts, including a secret witness program, no substantial leads emerged.

The Murder of Mary Fleming

LaRette's most notorious crime occurred on July 25, 1980, in St. Charles, Missouri. He targeted 18-year-old Mary Fleming, who was returning home from grocery shopping. After ensuring she was alone, he attacked her, attempting rape and stabbing her before slashing her throat. Fleming managed to seek help from a neighbor but succumbed to her injuries at St. Joseph Hospital.

Initially, the investigation into Fleming's murder seemed fruitless, with no apparent motive. Although her death was considered part of a series of local crimes, links were eventually dismissed. An autopsy revealed no sexual assault, and a police sketch of a potential witness circulated, leading to a breakthrough.

The Arrest and Trial of Anthony LaRette

Identified from the sketch, LaRette was visiting friends in the area at the time of Fleming's murder. An arrest warrant was issued, but LaRette had vanished, prompting a multi-state manhunt involving the FBI. He was eventually found at his sister's house, where he attempted suicide. His injuries were minor, and he was swiftly taken into custody.

LaRette waived extradition to Missouri, facing charges of murder and a $500,000 bond. Detectives uncovered his past, including a 1974 rape conviction in Kansas. The charge against him was elevated to capital murder.

Riley County authorities searched LaRette's home regarding Miller's murder, finding evidence linking him to the crime and possibly others. LaRette even attempted a prison escape, thwarted by another inmate.

During the preliminary hearing, Richard Roberson, a friend, testified that LaRette had confessed to Fleming's murder, despite LaRette's not guilty plea. In a bizarre twist, LaRette and his father conspired to escape by planning to kill guards, a plot foiled by a police informant.

LaRette's trial began on August 11, 1981, with prosecutor Donald L. Kohl presenting grisly crime scene photos. LaRette's defense claimed he was an accomplice to another killer, but Kohl dismissed this, highlighting LaRette's inconsistent stories. The jury deliberated for just an hour before recommending the death penalty.

Imprisonment and Execution

Transferred to Warrenton due to pretrial publicity, LaRette was found guilty and sentenced to death by Justice Edward Hodge. An appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court argued the murder was not premeditated, citing LaRette's personal issues. However, Attorney General Kelly Klopfenstein countered that stalking Fleming indicated premeditation.

Florida and Missouri investigators received detailed confessions from LaRette in 1988, linking him to the Wade and Wortmann murders. Despite this, no additional charges were filed due to his death row status. Kansas sought his extradition for Miller's murder, but proceedings ceased due to cost and the victim's family's wishes.

LaRette's execution was scheduled for November 29, 1995, making him Missouri's longest-serving death row inmate. A last-minute stay was lifted, and LaRette was executed by lethal injection. His final statement apologized to the families affected by his crimes.

The Aftermath of Confessions

After his execution, LaRette's confessions to thirty-one murders and ten rapes surfaced, though details were initially withheld. Sheriff's Detective Patricia Juhl's interviews with LaRette helped solve fifteen cases, earning her the title of "Deputy of the Year."

LaRette's confessions included numerous murders across multiple states, including Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Texas, Virginia, and Maryland, leaving a trail of horror in his wake.

Legacy in Media

Mary Fleming's tragic story was featured in season 11 of "On the Case with Paula Zahn," ensuring that the chilling tale of Anthony LaRette's crimes remains etched in the public consciousness.

Sources

For further reading and reference, visit the Wikipedia page on Anthony LaRette.