The Ranes Brothers: A Tale of Independent Terrors

Two Brothers, Two Paths to Darkness

In the heart of Kalamazoo, Michigan, two brothers, Larry Lee Ranes and Danny Arthur Ranes, embarked on separate, chilling journeys into infamy. Born on March 22, 1945, and October 20, 1943, respectively, Larry and Danny grew up under the shadow of their authoritarian father. Their childhood was marked by fierce sibling rivalry, fueled by their father's harsh discipline and encouragement of alcohol consumption. The family fractured further in 1954 when their father abandoned them, moving to Florida to work as a gas station attendant.

As the years rolled on, the Ranes brothers carved out their own distinct paths of crime, operating independently—a rarity in the annals of criminal history. Larry Ranes became a suspect in five murders throughout the 1960s, ultimately receiving a life sentence for one murder in 1964. Meanwhile, Danny Ranes, alongside accomplice Brent Eugene Koster, committed four heinous, sexually-motivated murders between March and August 1972, leading to life sentences for both.

Larry's Descent into Murder

Larry's early years were shaped by tumultuous relationships. At thirteen, he formed a bond with a 23-year-old neighbor, Sue, a mother of three, eventually entering an intimate relationship with her. His school performance suffered, and by the 10th grade, Larry dropped out. In 1962, a car theft incident led to his arrest, but a plea deal allowed him to escape punishment by enlisting in the United States Army.

Military life proved challenging for Larry. His behavior was marred by misconduct and chronic alcoholism, eventually leading to his discharge after attacking a colleague in a drunken stupor in 1963. Upon returning to Kalamazoo, he faced rejection from Sue, which drove him to a suicide attempt on December 23, 1963. Rescued by a police officer, Larry spent ten days in the Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital.

The defining moment of Larry's criminal career occurred on May 30, 1964. Disguised as a hitchhiker, he was picked up by 30-year-old Gary Albert Smock, a schoolteacher from Plymouth. Larry forced Smock into the trunk of his car and later shot him twice in the head after Smock attempted to escape. The police discovered the car and Smock's body a few hours later.

Larry's downfall came swiftly. By June 5, 1964, he was arrested after boasting about the murder to acquaintances. He confessed not only to Smock's murder but also to four other killings across multiple states, although he could not name three of his victims. A psychiatric evaluation deemed him insane, attributing his violent tendencies to childhood trauma linked to his father's gas station work. Despite this, Larry was found guilty on October 8, 1964, and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Danny's Reign of Terror

In contrast, Danny's criminal exploits began after Larry's conviction. His marriage, once a haven, deteriorated, and his behavior grew more erratic. In 1968, he attempted to assault 18-year-old Dorothy King, but she managed to escape. Arrested and convicted of felonious assault, Danny was sentenced to three to four years in prison, during which his wife divorced him.

Upon his release in 1972, Danny met Brent Koster, a troubled 15-year-old who became his accomplice. Together, they unleashed a wave of terror, beginning with the July 5, 1972, murders of Linda Clark and Claudia Bidstrup. The duo raped and killed the women at a gas station, later burning their bodies in a car.

Their spree continued with the August 5 abduction and murder of 18-year-old Pamela Fearnow. Despite Danny's instructions to remain silent, Koster confessed to several street workers, leading to their arrest on September 5, 1972. Koster's testimony implicated Danny in the March 19 murder of Patricia Howk, and Danny was charged with all four murders.

At trial, Danny was found guilty of first-degree murder for Fearnow's death and second-degree murder for Howk's, resulting in life sentences without parole. Koster, who testified against Danny, received a life sentence with the possibility of parole after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.

The Aftermath

Larry and Danny Ranes spent the remainder of their lives in Michigan's penitentiaries. Larry, who changed his name to Monk Steppenwolf, married his brother's ex-wife in 1976. He engaged in various pursuits, from bodybuilding to drawing, but also faced disciplinary actions for his activities behind bars. Larry's life ended in the Saginaw Correctional Facility on November 12, 2023.

Danny passed away on January 29, 2022, at the Lakeland Correctional Facility. His partner in crime, Brent Koster, underwent rehabilitation and obtained a law degree while in prison. Despite multiple parole denials, he was released on January 21, 2021, after serving forty-eight years.

Koster expressed deep remorse for his actions, acknowledging the pain he caused. As he approached the end of his sentence, he hoped for a chance to contribute positively to society. His release marked the final chapter in a grueling saga of crime and punishment.

Sources

For more detailed information, visit the original Wikipedia article.