Carmello DeJesus
Puerto Rican Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Delray Beach, Florida
TIME PERIOD
1971-1973
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
Carmello DeJesus, a Puerto Rican serial killer, committed suicide on September 8, 1973, in Perinton, New York, leaving behind a note confessing to the murders of four women across New Jersey and Florida between 1971 and 1973. His first known victim was Octavia Lloyd, whom he shot on September 17, 1971, in Bridgeton, New Jersey, after a confrontation at her home. Following a two-year manhunt, DeJesus killed Sandra Lee Postell in Delray Beach, Florida, on January 5, 1973, and later murdered Milagros Inez Pena in Camden, New Jersey, on September 1, 1973. While three victims have been identified, the fourth remains unknown, and DeJesus's extensive criminal history includes prior convictions for burglary and assault. The investigation remains open regarding the unidentified victim, and DeJesus's case highlights significant challenges in tracking serial offenders across state lines.
Carmello DeJesus is believed to have murdered at least four women, with three victims identified and one remaining unidentified, leading to speculation about the identity of the fourth victim and potential additional victims. Some theorize that DeJesus may have had a pattern in selecting his victims, possibly targeting women with whom he had prior relationships or connections. There is also speculation that his criminal background and volatile personality contributed to his violent behavior.
The Shadow of Carmello DeJesus: A Trail of Secrets and Silence
In the realm of true crime, few stories are as enigmatic and haunting as that of Carmello DeJesus. Born in 1934 in Puerto Rico, DeJesus's life would eventually unravel into a chilling sequence of events that spanned from the streets of New Jersey to the sunlit avenues of Florida. By the time he took his own life in September 1973, he had confessed to a series of murders that left investigators with as many questions as answers.
A Troubled Past
Carmello DeJesus emerged from the shadows of Puerto Rico, only to find himself entrenched in the criminal underworld of the United States. Little is known about his early years, but by the 1960s, he had carved out a reputation as a gambler and a hot-tempered career criminal. His rap sheet, as chronicled by the FBI, unfolded with numerous convictions in New Jersey and Florida, including burglary, gambling, possession of stolen property, assault, and even multiple prison escapes.
The Murders Begin
The sinister chapter of DeJesus's life began on September 17, 1971, in Bridgeton, New Jersey. It was here that he committed his first known murder. The victim was Octavia Lloyd, a girlfriend who found herself in a fatal confrontation with DeJesus. During the scuffle, he pulled out a gun, and a single shot through her chest ended her life. Neighbors later discovered her lifeless body on the back porch, while DeJesus vanished, abandoning his car near Woodstown and stealing another vehicle to make his escape. Despite being indicted in absentia for her murder, he remained elusive for nearly two years.
A Phantom on the Run
Authorities from various states, as well as the FBI, tirelessly pursued DeJesus, tracking leads from Pennsylvania to Mexico and even back to Puerto Rico. However, he managed to evade capture, adopting the life of a fugitive. During this time, DeJesus found temporary refuge in Egypt, a small hamlet within Perinton, New York, where he worked as a sweeper at the Comstock Canning Company. Surprisingly, no known crimes were attributed to him in 1972.
The Murders Continue
The reprieve from violence ended in January 1973 when DeJesus resurfaced in Delray Beach, Florida. There, in a motel, he formed an ill-fated relationship with Sandra Lee Postell, also known as Sandy Lee Barbery. Their association ended in tragedy when, after an argument, DeJesus brutally slit Postell’s throat and fled the scene.
By September of the same year, DeJesus had relocated to Camden, New Jersey, where he encountered Milagros Inez Pena. A single mother, Pena lived with her 23-year-old son. On September 1, an altercation between DeJesus and Pena turned deadly. As she attempted to escape, DeJesus shot her through the heart. Her body was discovered two days later by her daughter. Although an autopsy detailed the fatal trajectory of the bullet, the caliber of the weapon remained unidentified.
A Final Act
The discovery of Pena’s body prompted authorities to issue an arrest warrant for DeJesus. However, before they could close in on him, news arrived from Perinton, New York, that a man had been found dead. On September 8, 1973, two teenagers came across DeJesus’s body in a field. He had ended his life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. Beside him lay a gun, a half-empty bottle of whiskey, and a Spanish-language Bible with a suicide note tucked within its pages.
This note, addressed to his mother and siblings in Puerto Rico, was a somber confession. DeJesus expressed deep remorse and revealed his intent to end his life to prevent further violence. In his final words, he confessed to the murders of four individuals, naming Lloyd, Postell, and Pena. Yet, the identity of the fourth victim remained shrouded in mystery, as no details were provided.
The Unsolved Mystery
In the wake of DeJesus’s death, authorities from New York, New Jersey, and Florida revisited cold cases, hoping to uncover the identity of the elusive fourth victim. Among these was a 1968 murder in Miami, initially attributed to DeJesus, though charges were mysteriously dropped. Despite exhaustive efforts, the identity of the fourth victim remains an enigma to this day.
Sources
For more detailed information and references, you can view the original Wikipedia article on Carmello DeJesus.
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
Carmello DeJesus murders girlfriend Octavia Lloyd in Bridgeton, NJ.
Indictment Issued
DeJesus indicted in absentia for the murder of Octavia Lloyd.
Second Murder Committed
DeJesus kills Sandra Lee Postell in Delray Beach, Florida.
Third Murder Committed
DeJesus murders Milagros Inez Pena in Camden, NJ.
Arrest Warrant Issued
An arrest warrant is issued for DeJesus after Pena's body is found.
DeJesus Commits Suicide
Carmello DeJesus is found dead with a suicide note confessing to four murders.
Fourth Victim Remains Unidentified
Authorities begin reinvestigating cold cases to identify the fourth victim mentioned in DeJesus' note.
Carmello DeJesus, a Puerto Rican serial killer, committed suicide on September 8, 1973, in Perinton, New York, leaving behind a note confessing to the murders of four women across New Jersey and Florida between 1971 and 1973. His first known victim was Octavia Lloyd, whom he shot on September 17, 1971, in Bridgeton, New Jersey, after a confrontation at her home. Following a two-year manhunt, DeJesus killed Sandra Lee Postell in Delray Beach, Florida, on January 5, 1973, and later murdered Milagros Inez Pena in Camden, New Jersey, on September 1, 1973. While three victims have been identified, the fourth remains unknown, and DeJesus's extensive criminal history includes prior convictions for burglary and assault. The investigation remains open regarding the unidentified victim, and DeJesus's case highlights significant challenges in tracking serial offenders across state lines.
Carmello DeJesus is believed to have murdered at least four women, with three victims identified and one remaining unidentified, leading to speculation about the identity of the fourth victim and potential additional victims. Some theorize that DeJesus may have had a pattern in selecting his victims, possibly targeting women with whom he had prior relationships or connections. There is also speculation that his criminal background and volatile personality contributed to his violent behavior.
The Shadow of Carmello DeJesus: A Trail of Secrets and Silence
In the realm of true crime, few stories are as enigmatic and haunting as that of Carmello DeJesus. Born in 1934 in Puerto Rico, DeJesus's life would eventually unravel into a chilling sequence of events that spanned from the streets of New Jersey to the sunlit avenues of Florida. By the time he took his own life in September 1973, he had confessed to a series of murders that left investigators with as many questions as answers.
A Troubled Past
Carmello DeJesus emerged from the shadows of Puerto Rico, only to find himself entrenched in the criminal underworld of the United States. Little is known about his early years, but by the 1960s, he had carved out a reputation as a gambler and a hot-tempered career criminal. His rap sheet, as chronicled by the FBI, unfolded with numerous convictions in New Jersey and Florida, including burglary, gambling, possession of stolen property, assault, and even multiple prison escapes.
The Murders Begin
The sinister chapter of DeJesus's life began on September 17, 1971, in Bridgeton, New Jersey. It was here that he committed his first known murder. The victim was Octavia Lloyd, a girlfriend who found herself in a fatal confrontation with DeJesus. During the scuffle, he pulled out a gun, and a single shot through her chest ended her life. Neighbors later discovered her lifeless body on the back porch, while DeJesus vanished, abandoning his car near Woodstown and stealing another vehicle to make his escape. Despite being indicted in absentia for her murder, he remained elusive for nearly two years.
A Phantom on the Run
Authorities from various states, as well as the FBI, tirelessly pursued DeJesus, tracking leads from Pennsylvania to Mexico and even back to Puerto Rico. However, he managed to evade capture, adopting the life of a fugitive. During this time, DeJesus found temporary refuge in Egypt, a small hamlet within Perinton, New York, where he worked as a sweeper at the Comstock Canning Company. Surprisingly, no known crimes were attributed to him in 1972.
The Murders Continue
The reprieve from violence ended in January 1973 when DeJesus resurfaced in Delray Beach, Florida. There, in a motel, he formed an ill-fated relationship with Sandra Lee Postell, also known as Sandy Lee Barbery. Their association ended in tragedy when, after an argument, DeJesus brutally slit Postell’s throat and fled the scene.
By September of the same year, DeJesus had relocated to Camden, New Jersey, where he encountered Milagros Inez Pena. A single mother, Pena lived with her 23-year-old son. On September 1, an altercation between DeJesus and Pena turned deadly. As she attempted to escape, DeJesus shot her through the heart. Her body was discovered two days later by her daughter. Although an autopsy detailed the fatal trajectory of the bullet, the caliber of the weapon remained unidentified.
A Final Act
The discovery of Pena’s body prompted authorities to issue an arrest warrant for DeJesus. However, before they could close in on him, news arrived from Perinton, New York, that a man had been found dead. On September 8, 1973, two teenagers came across DeJesus’s body in a field. He had ended his life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. Beside him lay a gun, a half-empty bottle of whiskey, and a Spanish-language Bible with a suicide note tucked within its pages.
This note, addressed to his mother and siblings in Puerto Rico, was a somber confession. DeJesus expressed deep remorse and revealed his intent to end his life to prevent further violence. In his final words, he confessed to the murders of four individuals, naming Lloyd, Postell, and Pena. Yet, the identity of the fourth victim remained shrouded in mystery, as no details were provided.
The Unsolved Mystery
In the wake of DeJesus’s death, authorities from New York, New Jersey, and Florida revisited cold cases, hoping to uncover the identity of the elusive fourth victim. Among these was a 1968 murder in Miami, initially attributed to DeJesus, though charges were mysteriously dropped. Despite exhaustive efforts, the identity of the fourth victim remains an enigma to this day.
Sources
For more detailed information and references, you can view the original Wikipedia article on Carmello DeJesus.
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
Carmello DeJesus murders girlfriend Octavia Lloyd in Bridgeton, NJ.
Indictment Issued
DeJesus indicted in absentia for the murder of Octavia Lloyd.
Second Murder Committed
DeJesus kills Sandra Lee Postell in Delray Beach, Florida.
Third Murder Committed
DeJesus murders Milagros Inez Pena in Camden, NJ.
Arrest Warrant Issued
An arrest warrant is issued for DeJesus after Pena's body is found.
DeJesus Commits Suicide
Carmello DeJesus is found dead with a suicide note confessing to four murders.
Fourth Victim Remains Unidentified
Authorities begin reinvestigating cold cases to identify the fourth victim mentioned in DeJesus' note.