Charles Rodman Campbell
Serial Killer and Rapist
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Clearview, Washington
TIME PERIOD
1982
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Charles Rodman Campbell, an American convicted murderer and rapist, was executed by hanging on May 27, 1994, in Washington State for the brutal triple murder of Renae Wicklund, her nine-year-old daughter Shannah, and Barbara Hendrickson on April 14, 1982, in Clearview, Washington. Campbell, previously convicted for the 1974 sexual assault of Wicklund, sought revenge against her and Hendrickson for testifying against him, leading to the horrific crime. Following his arrest, he was tried and sentenced to death in 1984. In 2023, posthumous DNA testing linked Campbell to an additional sexual assault and murder of a woman in 1975, further solidifying his status as a serial offender.
Charles Rodman Campbell is believed to have been involved in multiple assaults and rapes prior to his conviction, suggesting a pattern of violent behavior that authorities failed to adequately address. There is speculation that his early release and subsequent crimes could have been prevented had the justice system taken his disciplinary infractions more seriously. Additionally, some theorize that Campbell may have had more victims than the confirmed cases, given the duration and nature of his criminal activities.
The Life and Crimes of Charles Rodman Campbell
A Troubled Beginning
Charles Rodman Campbell was born on October 21, 1954, in the lush landscapes of Oahu, Hawaii. His early years were marred by a turbulent household. His father, a former Marine, was a figure of admiration for young Charles despite being a frequent perpetrator of domestic violence. Both parents were heavy drinkers, casting a shadow over his childhood. By the tender age of 13, Campbell had sought refuge in alcohol and drugs, including amphetamines and heroin.
His adolescence was equally stormy. On October 29, 1970, merely days after turning 16, Campbell's father reported him to the police for stealing the family car. The following year, his mother labeled him a runaway, expressing a bleak sentiment that she would rather not see him return. His defiance escalated to burglary when he ransacked his grandparents' home, stealing firearms to fund a trip to California. This act led to his detention at Green Hill School in Chehalis, Washington.
Campbell's reputation at Green Hill was mixed. While some staff found him nondescript, others, like Superintendent Bob Williams, remembered him as a "cold-blooded person" who harbored a promise to hurt anyone who crossed him. His stay was intended to curb his antisocial tendencies, but by August 1973, he had married and soon after began a cycle of domestic abuse, culminating in a divorce a year later.
The Assault on Renae Wicklund
On December 11, 1974, in Clearview, Washington, the 23-year-old Renae Wicklund was tending to her yard when Campbell pounced. At knifepoint, he coerced her into submission, threatening her infant daughter, Shannah. It wasn't until 1976 that justice caught up with him when Renae identified him in a police lineup. The trial that followed saw Wicklund and her neighbor, Barbara Hendrickson, bravely testify against him, leading to his conviction for first-degree assault and sodomy.
Campbell's sentence, totaling 40 years, was marred by leniency. Unknown to Wicklund, he was eligible for a work release program after serving just seven years, despite accruing multiple disciplinary infractions during his incarceration. These included brewing illicit alcohol, raping fellow inmates, and engaging in a prohibited relationship with a prison counselor named Judy Dirks, with whom he fathered a child.
A Deadly Return
On April 14, 1982, Campbell's dark path reached a horrifying peak. On that fateful day, Renae Wicklund, home with her daughter Shannah due to illness, received a visit from her neighbor, Barbara Hendrickson. By evening, the tranquility of Wicklund's home was shattered. Hendrickson's husband, Donald, discovered their lifeless bodies, each brutally murdered.
Campbell's revenge-fueled rampage was brutal. He savagely beat Renae, breaking her jaw and nose, strangling her, and ultimately slitting her throat. Shannah, too, was strangled and nearly decapitated. Barbara Hendrickson suffered a similar fate. The crime scene bore Campbell's chilling signature—a bloody handprint on a glass, jewelry scattered in his wake, and a blood-stained car. His arrest followed swiftly on April 19, sealing his fate.
The Trial and Execution
In November 1982, Campbell's trial commenced. He remained silent, refusing to testify or acknowledge the murders. Witnesses painted a damning picture, recalling his presence at the crime scene and his expressions of resentment towards Renae. Despite the defense's attempts to argue a miscarriage of justice and challenge the rape charges, the jury was unswayed. They saw no remorse in Campbell, and his fate was sealed with a death sentence.
On May 27, 1994, Charles Rodman Campbell met his end at the Washington State Penitentiary. He was executed by hanging, a rare method in the United States post-1976. His execution was a grim closure to a life marked by violence and tragedy. In a twist of fate, DNA tests in 2023 linked him posthumously to an unsolved murder from 1975, further embedding his legacy in the annals of crime history.
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First Assault
Charles Campbell attacks and rapes Renae Wicklund at knifepoint.
Conviction for Assault
Campbell is convicted of first degree assault and sodomy, sentenced to 40 years.
Triple Murder
Campbell murders Renae Wicklund, her daughter Shannah, and neighbor Barbara Hendrickson.
Arrest
Campbell is arrested and charged with three counts of first degree murder.
Murder Conviction
Campbell is convicted of the murders of Renae Wicklund, Shannah Wicklund, and Barbara Hendrickson.
Supreme Court Upholds Conviction
Washington Supreme Court upholds Campbell's conviction and death sentence.
Execution
Charles Campbell is executed by hanging in Washington State.
DNA Evidence Links to 1975 Murder
Posthumous DNA tests link Campbell to the murder of Hallie Ann Seaman.
Charles Rodman Campbell, an American convicted murderer and rapist, was executed by hanging on May 27, 1994, in Washington State for the brutal triple murder of Renae Wicklund, her nine-year-old daughter Shannah, and Barbara Hendrickson on April 14, 1982, in Clearview, Washington. Campbell, previously convicted for the 1974 sexual assault of Wicklund, sought revenge against her and Hendrickson for testifying against him, leading to the horrific crime. Following his arrest, he was tried and sentenced to death in 1984. In 2023, posthumous DNA testing linked Campbell to an additional sexual assault and murder of a woman in 1975, further solidifying his status as a serial offender.
Charles Rodman Campbell is believed to have been involved in multiple assaults and rapes prior to his conviction, suggesting a pattern of violent behavior that authorities failed to adequately address. There is speculation that his early release and subsequent crimes could have been prevented had the justice system taken his disciplinary infractions more seriously. Additionally, some theorize that Campbell may have had more victims than the confirmed cases, given the duration and nature of his criminal activities.
The Life and Crimes of Charles Rodman Campbell
A Troubled Beginning
Charles Rodman Campbell was born on October 21, 1954, in the lush landscapes of Oahu, Hawaii. His early years were marred by a turbulent household. His father, a former Marine, was a figure of admiration for young Charles despite being a frequent perpetrator of domestic violence. Both parents were heavy drinkers, casting a shadow over his childhood. By the tender age of 13, Campbell had sought refuge in alcohol and drugs, including amphetamines and heroin.
His adolescence was equally stormy. On October 29, 1970, merely days after turning 16, Campbell's father reported him to the police for stealing the family car. The following year, his mother labeled him a runaway, expressing a bleak sentiment that she would rather not see him return. His defiance escalated to burglary when he ransacked his grandparents' home, stealing firearms to fund a trip to California. This act led to his detention at Green Hill School in Chehalis, Washington.
Campbell's reputation at Green Hill was mixed. While some staff found him nondescript, others, like Superintendent Bob Williams, remembered him as a "cold-blooded person" who harbored a promise to hurt anyone who crossed him. His stay was intended to curb his antisocial tendencies, but by August 1973, he had married and soon after began a cycle of domestic abuse, culminating in a divorce a year later.
The Assault on Renae Wicklund
On December 11, 1974, in Clearview, Washington, the 23-year-old Renae Wicklund was tending to her yard when Campbell pounced. At knifepoint, he coerced her into submission, threatening her infant daughter, Shannah. It wasn't until 1976 that justice caught up with him when Renae identified him in a police lineup. The trial that followed saw Wicklund and her neighbor, Barbara Hendrickson, bravely testify against him, leading to his conviction for first-degree assault and sodomy.
Campbell's sentence, totaling 40 years, was marred by leniency. Unknown to Wicklund, he was eligible for a work release program after serving just seven years, despite accruing multiple disciplinary infractions during his incarceration. These included brewing illicit alcohol, raping fellow inmates, and engaging in a prohibited relationship with a prison counselor named Judy Dirks, with whom he fathered a child.
A Deadly Return
On April 14, 1982, Campbell's dark path reached a horrifying peak. On that fateful day, Renae Wicklund, home with her daughter Shannah due to illness, received a visit from her neighbor, Barbara Hendrickson. By evening, the tranquility of Wicklund's home was shattered. Hendrickson's husband, Donald, discovered their lifeless bodies, each brutally murdered.
Campbell's revenge-fueled rampage was brutal. He savagely beat Renae, breaking her jaw and nose, strangling her, and ultimately slitting her throat. Shannah, too, was strangled and nearly decapitated. Barbara Hendrickson suffered a similar fate. The crime scene bore Campbell's chilling signature—a bloody handprint on a glass, jewelry scattered in his wake, and a blood-stained car. His arrest followed swiftly on April 19, sealing his fate.
The Trial and Execution
In November 1982, Campbell's trial commenced. He remained silent, refusing to testify or acknowledge the murders. Witnesses painted a damning picture, recalling his presence at the crime scene and his expressions of resentment towards Renae. Despite the defense's attempts to argue a miscarriage of justice and challenge the rape charges, the jury was unswayed. They saw no remorse in Campbell, and his fate was sealed with a death sentence.
On May 27, 1994, Charles Rodman Campbell met his end at the Washington State Penitentiary. He was executed by hanging, a rare method in the United States post-1976. His execution was a grim closure to a life marked by violence and tragedy. In a twist of fate, DNA tests in 2023 linked him posthumously to an unsolved murder from 1975, further embedding his legacy in the annals of crime history.
Sources
For more detailed information, visit the original Wikipedia article.
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 Assault
Charles Campbell attacks and rapes Renae Wicklund at knifepoint.
Conviction for Assault
Campbell is convicted of first degree assault and sodomy, sentenced to 40 years.
Triple Murder
Campbell murders Renae Wicklund, her daughter Shannah, and neighbor Barbara Hendrickson.
Arrest
Campbell is arrested and charged with three counts of first degree murder.
Murder Conviction
Campbell is convicted of the murders of Renae Wicklund, Shannah Wicklund, and Barbara Hendrickson.
Supreme Court Upholds Conviction
Washington Supreme Court upholds Campbell's conviction and death sentence.
Execution
Charles Campbell is executed by hanging in Washington State.
DNA Evidence Links to 1975 Murder
Posthumous DNA tests link Campbell to the murder of Hallie Ann Seaman.