Arthur Shawcross
Rochester Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Rochester, New York
TIME PERIOD
1972-1989
VICTIMS
14 confirmed
Arthur John Shawcross, known as the Genesee River Killer, was an American serial killer active in Rochester, New York, from 1972 to 1989. His criminal activities began in Watertown, New York, where he murdered a young boy and girl, leading to a plea bargain that resulted in a 14-year sentence for manslaughter. Following his early release, Shawcross killed at least 11 women, primarily prostitutes, between 1988 and 1989. He was apprehended on January 5, 1990, and subsequently sentenced to 250 years in prison, where he died on November 10, 2008. Significant evidence included Shawcross's own confessions and the recovery of remains from the Genesee River, which linked him to the murders.
Arthur Shawcross is believed to have been granted early parole due to a controversial plea bargain, which many speculate contributed to his later murders. Some investigators and the public theorize that his violent behavior was exacerbated by a troubled childhood and previous criminal history, including manslaughter. Additionally, there is speculation about the psychological factors that may have driven him to target vulnerable individuals, particularly sex workers, during his killing spree.
The Sinister Journey of Arthur Shawcross
The Emergence of a Killer
Arthur John Shawcross, born on June 6, 1945, in Kittery, Maine, would later become notorious as the Genesee River Killer. His life unfolded like a grim tale, with a series of violent crimes that haunted the streets of Rochester, New York, between 1972 and 1989. His early criminal acts took place in Watertown, New York, where he was implicated in the murders of a young boy and girl. Under the terms of a plea bargain, Shawcross was allowed to plead guilty to a single charge of manslaughter, resulting in a 25-year sentence, of which he served 14 years.
Early Life: The Making of a Monster
Arthur was the first of four children to Arthur Roy Shawcross and Elizabeth "Bessie" Yerakes Shawcross. His family relocated to Watertown, New York, during his early years. Shawcross's childhood was marked by disturbing behaviors; he was a frequent bed-wetter and later claimed that his mother had performed oral sex on him starting at age seven. Shawcross also alleged sexual encounters with his sister during his junior high school years. Known as a school bully, he often resorted to violence and dropped out of high school in 1960.
At 21, Shawcross was drafted into the United States Army. Around this time, he divorced his first wife and relinquished his rights to their young son, whom he never saw again. Although he served in Vietnam with the 4th Supply and Transport Company of the 4th Infantry Division, his tales of wartime atrocities were fabrications. After his service, Shawcross was stationed at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma, where his second wife, Linda, witnessed his penchant for starting fires—a behavior that an Army psychiatrist explained was sexually arousing for Shawcross.
Return to New York and Early Murders
After his Army discharge, Shawcross moved with Linda to Clayton, New York. Their marriage soon dissolved, and Shawcross turned to a life of crime, committing arson and burglary. These crimes landed him in Attica Correctional Facility for a five-year sentence, which was reduced after 22 months due to his role in rescuing a correctional officer during a prison riot. After his release in October 1971, Shawcross returned to Watertown, where he found work with the Watertown Public Works Department and remarried.
On May 7, 1972, Shawcross committed his first known murder by raping and killing 10-year-old Jack Owen Blake in a wooded area. Blake's body remained undiscovered until a tip-off in September. Meanwhile, on September 2, Shawcross raped and killed eight-year-old Karen Ann Hill, who was visiting Watertown for the Labor Day weekend. Shawcross was arrested the following day. Although a grand jury indicted him for Hill's murder, he pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter for both murders on October 17, 1972, and was sentenced to a maximum of 25 years at Attica Correctional Facility, later transferring to Green Haven Correctional Facility.
Jefferson County District Attorney William McClusky justified the plea deal by citing the absence of direct evidence linking Shawcross to Blake's murder, apart from Shawcross's confession. Shawcross was paroled in April 1987, after 14 years, despite warnings from psychiatrists who labeled him a "schizoid psychopath."
A New Wave of Terror
Upon his release, Shawcross struggled to reintegrate into society. He moved from Binghamton to Delhi, then to Fleischmanns, New York, with his girlfriend, Rose Marie Walley, facing hostility in each location. Finally, in June 1987, his parole officer relocated them to a transient hotel in Rochester without notifying local authorities. By mid-October, they settled at 241 Alexander Street.
In March 1988, Shawcross's killing spree resumed, targeting primarily prostitutes in Rochester. Over the next two years, he claimed the lives of eleven women, with the twelfth victim's murder not officially attributed to him. The victims included:
- Dorothy "Dotsie" Blackburn, 27, disappeared March 18, 1988; discovered March 24, 1988.
- Anna Marie Steffen, 28, disappeared July 9, 1988; discovered September 11, 1988.
- Dorothy Keeler, 59, disappeared July 29, 1989; discovered October 21, 1989.
- Patricia "Patty" Ives, 25, disappeared September 29, 1989; discovered October 27, 1989.
- June Stott, 30, disappeared October 23, 1989; discovered November 23, 1989.
- Marie Welch, 22, disappeared November 5, 1989; discovered January 5, 1990.
- Frances "Franny" Brown, 22, disappeared November 11, 1989; discovered November 15, 1989.
- Kimberly Logan, 30, disappeared November 15, 1989; discovered November 15, 1989.
- Elizabeth "Liz" Gibson, 29, disappeared November 25, 1989; discovered November 27, 1989.
- Darlene Trippi, 32, disappeared December 15, 1989; discovered January 5, 1990.
- June Cicero, 33, disappeared December 17, 1989; discovered January 3, 1990.
- Felicia Stephens, 20, disappeared December 28, 1989; discovered December 31, 1989.
All but one of the murders occurred in Monroe County, with Elizabeth Gibson's death taking place in neighboring Wayne County. Detective Robert Keppel later criticized the investigation for over-relying on modus operandi, which led to confusion over potential suspects due to minor differences in victim profiles.
Capture and Trial
The net closed on Shawcross on January 5, 1990, when police arrested him two days after June Cicero's body was found. He was observed by an eyewitness and a surveillance team near his car, masturbating on a bridge over Salmon Creek close to where Cicero's body was dumped.
In November 1990, Monroe County First Assistant District Attorney Charles J. Siragusa prosecuted Shawcross for ten murders in Monroe County. Shawcross's defense, led by forensic psychiatrist Dorothy Lewis, claimed insanity, citing brain damage, multiple personality disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, alongside allegations of childhood sexual abuse. Lewis argued that Shawcross had a separate internal personality, "Bessie," which took over during the killings, proposing institutionalization over prison.
However, FBI profiler Robert K. Ressler refuted the defense's claims of wartime trauma, labeling them as fabrications. Prosecution psychiatrist Dr. Park Dietz diagnosed Shawcross with antisocial personality disorder. Medical evaluations revealed a cyst pressing on Shawcross's temporal lobe and scarring on his frontal lobes, areas crucial for decision-making and self-control.
Life Behind Bars and Death
Shawcross was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole at Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, New York. In 2003, during an interview for a documentary on cannibalism, Shawcross boasted about eating parts of his victims, though he refused to discuss his alleged cannibalism of Jack Blake's genitals.
On November 10, 2008, Shawcross complained of leg pain and was taken to Albany Medical Center, where he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest, dying at 9:50 p.m. at the age of 63.
Sources
For a comprehensive account of the life and crimes of Arthur Shawcross, please refer to the original Wikipedia article and the following sources:
- Stone, Michael H. (2009). The Anatomy of Evil. Prometheus Books.
- Olsen, Jack. (1993). The Misbegotten Son. Delacorte Press.
- Ressler, Robert K.; Shachtman, Tom (1992). Whoever Fights Monsters. St. Martin's Press.
- Keppel, Robert; Birnes, William J. (2011). Signature Killers. Random House.
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First Known Murder
Arthur Shawcross rapes and kills 10-year-old Jack Owen Blake.
Second Murder Arrest
Shawcross is arrested for the murder of 8-year-old Karen Ann Hill.
Plea Bargain
Shawcross pleads guilty to manslaughter for both murders, sentenced to 25 years.
Parole Granted
Shawcross is released on parole after serving 14 years.
Start of Second Murder Series
Shawcross begins a series of murders targeting prostitutes in Rochester.
Arrest
Shawcross is arrested after being spotted near a crime scene.
Trial Begins
Shawcross's trial for the murders of 10 women begins.
Conviction
Shawcross is convicted of 11 counts of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Death
Arthur Shawcross dies in prison at the age of 63.
Arthur John Shawcross, known as the Genesee River Killer, was an American serial killer active in Rochester, New York, from 1972 to 1989. His criminal activities began in Watertown, New York, where he murdered a young boy and girl, leading to a plea bargain that resulted in a 14-year sentence for manslaughter. Following his early release, Shawcross killed at least 11 women, primarily prostitutes, between 1988 and 1989. He was apprehended on January 5, 1990, and subsequently sentenced to 250 years in prison, where he died on November 10, 2008. Significant evidence included Shawcross's own confessions and the recovery of remains from the Genesee River, which linked him to the murders.
Arthur Shawcross is believed to have been granted early parole due to a controversial plea bargain, which many speculate contributed to his later murders. Some investigators and the public theorize that his violent behavior was exacerbated by a troubled childhood and previous criminal history, including manslaughter. Additionally, there is speculation about the psychological factors that may have driven him to target vulnerable individuals, particularly sex workers, during his killing spree.
The Sinister Journey of Arthur Shawcross
The Emergence of a Killer
Arthur John Shawcross, born on June 6, 1945, in Kittery, Maine, would later become notorious as the Genesee River Killer. His life unfolded like a grim tale, with a series of violent crimes that haunted the streets of Rochester, New York, between 1972 and 1989. His early criminal acts took place in Watertown, New York, where he was implicated in the murders of a young boy and girl. Under the terms of a plea bargain, Shawcross was allowed to plead guilty to a single charge of manslaughter, resulting in a 25-year sentence, of which he served 14 years.
Early Life: The Making of a Monster
Arthur was the first of four children to Arthur Roy Shawcross and Elizabeth "Bessie" Yerakes Shawcross. His family relocated to Watertown, New York, during his early years. Shawcross's childhood was marked by disturbing behaviors; he was a frequent bed-wetter and later claimed that his mother had performed oral sex on him starting at age seven. Shawcross also alleged sexual encounters with his sister during his junior high school years. Known as a school bully, he often resorted to violence and dropped out of high school in 1960.
At 21, Shawcross was drafted into the United States Army. Around this time, he divorced his first wife and relinquished his rights to their young son, whom he never saw again. Although he served in Vietnam with the 4th Supply and Transport Company of the 4th Infantry Division, his tales of wartime atrocities were fabrications. After his service, Shawcross was stationed at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma, where his second wife, Linda, witnessed his penchant for starting fires—a behavior that an Army psychiatrist explained was sexually arousing for Shawcross.
Return to New York and Early Murders
After his Army discharge, Shawcross moved with Linda to Clayton, New York. Their marriage soon dissolved, and Shawcross turned to a life of crime, committing arson and burglary. These crimes landed him in Attica Correctional Facility for a five-year sentence, which was reduced after 22 months due to his role in rescuing a correctional officer during a prison riot. After his release in October 1971, Shawcross returned to Watertown, where he found work with the Watertown Public Works Department and remarried.
On May 7, 1972, Shawcross committed his first known murder by raping and killing 10-year-old Jack Owen Blake in a wooded area. Blake's body remained undiscovered until a tip-off in September. Meanwhile, on September 2, Shawcross raped and killed eight-year-old Karen Ann Hill, who was visiting Watertown for the Labor Day weekend. Shawcross was arrested the following day. Although a grand jury indicted him for Hill's murder, he pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter for both murders on October 17, 1972, and was sentenced to a maximum of 25 years at Attica Correctional Facility, later transferring to Green Haven Correctional Facility.
Jefferson County District Attorney William McClusky justified the plea deal by citing the absence of direct evidence linking Shawcross to Blake's murder, apart from Shawcross's confession. Shawcross was paroled in April 1987, after 14 years, despite warnings from psychiatrists who labeled him a "schizoid psychopath."
A New Wave of Terror
Upon his release, Shawcross struggled to reintegrate into society. He moved from Binghamton to Delhi, then to Fleischmanns, New York, with his girlfriend, Rose Marie Walley, facing hostility in each location. Finally, in June 1987, his parole officer relocated them to a transient hotel in Rochester without notifying local authorities. By mid-October, they settled at 241 Alexander Street.
In March 1988, Shawcross's killing spree resumed, targeting primarily prostitutes in Rochester. Over the next two years, he claimed the lives of eleven women, with the twelfth victim's murder not officially attributed to him. The victims included:
- Dorothy "Dotsie" Blackburn, 27, disappeared March 18, 1988; discovered March 24, 1988.
- Anna Marie Steffen, 28, disappeared July 9, 1988; discovered September 11, 1988.
- Dorothy Keeler, 59, disappeared July 29, 1989; discovered October 21, 1989.
- Patricia "Patty" Ives, 25, disappeared September 29, 1989; discovered October 27, 1989.
- June Stott, 30, disappeared October 23, 1989; discovered November 23, 1989.
- Marie Welch, 22, disappeared November 5, 1989; discovered January 5, 1990.
- Frances "Franny" Brown, 22, disappeared November 11, 1989; discovered November 15, 1989.
- Kimberly Logan, 30, disappeared November 15, 1989; discovered November 15, 1989.
- Elizabeth "Liz" Gibson, 29, disappeared November 25, 1989; discovered November 27, 1989.
- Darlene Trippi, 32, disappeared December 15, 1989; discovered January 5, 1990.
- June Cicero, 33, disappeared December 17, 1989; discovered January 3, 1990.
- Felicia Stephens, 20, disappeared December 28, 1989; discovered December 31, 1989.
All but one of the murders occurred in Monroe County, with Elizabeth Gibson's death taking place in neighboring Wayne County. Detective Robert Keppel later criticized the investigation for over-relying on modus operandi, which led to confusion over potential suspects due to minor differences in victim profiles.
Capture and Trial
The net closed on Shawcross on January 5, 1990, when police arrested him two days after June Cicero's body was found. He was observed by an eyewitness and a surveillance team near his car, masturbating on a bridge over Salmon Creek close to where Cicero's body was dumped.
In November 1990, Monroe County First Assistant District Attorney Charles J. Siragusa prosecuted Shawcross for ten murders in Monroe County. Shawcross's defense, led by forensic psychiatrist Dorothy Lewis, claimed insanity, citing brain damage, multiple personality disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, alongside allegations of childhood sexual abuse. Lewis argued that Shawcross had a separate internal personality, "Bessie," which took over during the killings, proposing institutionalization over prison.
However, FBI profiler Robert K. Ressler refuted the defense's claims of wartime trauma, labeling them as fabrications. Prosecution psychiatrist Dr. Park Dietz diagnosed Shawcross with antisocial personality disorder. Medical evaluations revealed a cyst pressing on Shawcross's temporal lobe and scarring on his frontal lobes, areas crucial for decision-making and self-control.
Life Behind Bars and Death
Shawcross was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole at Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, New York. In 2003, during an interview for a documentary on cannibalism, Shawcross boasted about eating parts of his victims, though he refused to discuss his alleged cannibalism of Jack Blake's genitals.
On November 10, 2008, Shawcross complained of leg pain and was taken to Albany Medical Center, where he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest, dying at 9:50 p.m. at the age of 63.
Sources
For a comprehensive account of the life and crimes of Arthur Shawcross, please refer to the original Wikipedia article and the following sources:
- Stone, Michael H. (2009). The Anatomy of Evil. Prometheus Books.
- Olsen, Jack. (1993). The Misbegotten Son. Delacorte Press.
- Ressler, Robert K.; Shachtman, Tom (1992). Whoever Fights Monsters. St. Martin's Press.
- Keppel, Robert; Birnes, William J. (2011). Signature Killers. Random House.
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
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First Known Murder
Arthur Shawcross rapes and kills 10-year-old Jack Owen Blake.
Second Murder Arrest
Shawcross is arrested for the murder of 8-year-old Karen Ann Hill.
Plea Bargain
Shawcross pleads guilty to manslaughter for both murders, sentenced to 25 years.
Parole Granted
Shawcross is released on parole after serving 14 years.
Start of Second Murder Series
Shawcross begins a series of murders targeting prostitutes in Rochester.
Arrest
Shawcross is arrested after being spotted near a crime scene.
Trial Begins
Shawcross's trial for the murders of 10 women begins.
Conviction
Shawcross is convicted of 11 counts of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Death
Arthur Shawcross dies in prison at the age of 63.