Charles Schmid
Arizona Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Tucson, Arizona
TIME PERIOD
1964-1965
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Charles Howard Schmid Jr., known as the "Pied Piper of Tucson," was an American serial killer active in Tucson, Arizona, between 1964 and 1965, where he committed at least three murders. Schmid was apprehended on November 10, 1965, following an investigation into the disappearances of several young women, which led to the discovery of their remains in the desert. He was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder, receiving a death sentence that was later commuted to life imprisonment. Schmid's case gained notoriety through journalist Don Moser's article in Life magazine and has influenced various literary works, highlighting the impact of his crimes on the community and the media. Schmid died in prison on March 30, 1975, from stab wounds inflicted by another inmate.
Charles Schmid is believed to have been influenced by a desire for attention and a need to dominate, leading him to commit his murders as a means of asserting power. Some speculate that his troubled upbringing and rejection by his birth mother contributed to his violent behavior. Additionally, there are theories that Schmid's charm and good looks allowed him to manipulate and lure his victims more easily, earning him the nickname "Pied Piper."
The Pied Piper of Tucson: The Sinister Tale of Charles Schmid
Introduction
In the sun-drenched city of Tucson, Arizona, a chilling figure emerged in the early 1960s, casting a long shadow over the community. Known as the "Pied Piper of Tucson," Charles Howard Schmid Jr. would become infamous for his heinous crimes, immortalized in an article by journalist Don Moser in Life magazine on March 4, 1966, and later inspiring Joyce Carol Oates' short story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" Schmid's tale of murder and deceit would captivate and terrify, leaving an indelible mark on true crime history.
Early Life
Born on July 8, 1942, in Tucson, Charles Schmid was adopted by Charles and Katharine Schmid, who ran the Hillcrest Nursing Home. His relationship with his adoptive father was fraught, and his efforts to connect with his birth mother ended in rejection. Despite his tumultuous family life, Schmid was a striking figure—good-looking, intelligent, and well-mannered. He excelled in gymnastics, leading his high school team to a state championship, but his academic career ended abruptly when he was suspended for theft.
Living on his parents' property, Schmid enjoyed a life of relative luxury, complete with a monthly allowance of $300, a new car, and a motorcycle. His charisma earned him the nickname "Pied Piper," as he drew many teenagers into his fold, including close friends John Saunders, Richie Bruns, and Paul Graff. Despite his social circle, Schmid often embraced solitude, spending time on Tucson's Speedway Boulevard, where he picked up girls and drank with friends.
Schmid's distinctive appearance was a carefully crafted illusion. Though short in stature, he wore cowboy boots stuffed with newspapers and flattened cans to appear taller, attributing his unusual gait to a fictional brawl with the Mafia. His face was a canvas, adorned with lip balm, pancake makeup, and an artificial mole, while a clothespin stretched his lower lip to mimic Elvis Presley.
The Murders
Alleen Rowe
The chilling saga began on May 31, 1964, when Schmid declared, "I want to kill a girl tonight," to his girlfriend and an acquaintance. The target of his sinister intent was Alleen Rowe, a high school student living with her mother, who worked nights. Schmid chose Rowe because she had rebuffed his and other local youths' advances.
With Mary French, his girlfriend, Schmid lured Rowe into joining them and John Saunders for a drive to the desert. Once there, Schmid bound Rowe's arms, dismissing her cries for explanation with the false claim that French harbored hatred for her. As Saunders left at Schmid's behest, Rowe was raped, and upon Saunders' return, Schmid demanded he also assault the girl. Saunders, unable to comply, witnessed Schmid bludgeon Rowe to death and then helped bury her in the desert.
The Fritz Sisters
Months later, Schmid set his sights on Gretchen Fritz, daughter of a prominent heart surgeon. Their relationship began under the guise of a sales pitch at her home but soon turned romantic. However, Fritz's possessive nature and propensity for dramatics strained the affair. Schmid confided in her about Rowe's murder, attempting to impress her with the grave's location. Unbeknownst to him, Fritz had a diary detailing his crimes and threatened to expose him if he left her.
Fearing exposure, Schmid strangled Gretchen, 17, and her 13-year-old sister, Wendy, on August 16, 1965. He shared the gruesome details with Richard Bruns, who, terrified for his girlfriend's safety, fled to Ohio. There, Bruns confessed everything to his grandparents, eventually returning to assist authorities in the investigation.
Trial and Media Frenzy
The murder trials captivated the nation, with Life and Playboy magazines dispatching reporters to cover the proceedings. Even F. Lee Bailey, the renowned attorney from high-profile cases like the Boston Strangler, was consulted. In 1966, Schmid was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. However, following the Furman v. Georgia ruling in 1972, his sentence was commuted to 50 years. The financial toll of his legal battles left his adoptive mother and stepfather in dire straits.
Incarceration and Escapes
Schmid's time in prison was marked by attempts to escape, culminating in a successful breakout on November 11, 1972, with fellow inmate Raymond Hudgens. Their freedom was short-lived, as they were recaptured after holding hostages and dining at a Sonic. During his imprisonment, Schmid turned to poetry, gaining the attention of University of Arizona professor Richard Shelton, who recognized his talent despite the macabre circumstances.
Death and Legacy
On March 20, 1975, Schmid's life came to a violent end when he was stabbed 47 times by inmates Jimmy Ferra and Dennis Eversole. After losing an eye and a kidney, he succumbed to his injuries on March 30. His body was briefly stolen from the morgue before being recovered and buried in the prison cemetery, away from potential vandals. The assailants, both serving sentences for other crimes, received additional time for Schmid's murder.
Cultural Impact
The sinister allure of Schmid's story transcended his life, inspiring Joyce Carol Oates' acclaimed short story and several film adaptations, including "Smooth Talk" and "The Todd Killings." His crimes also influenced Emily Ross's young adult thriller "Half in Love with Death" and were explored in the true crime account "I, a Squealer" by Richard Bruns. Schmid's legacy endures, a dark chapter in the annals of American crime.
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First Murder Committed
Charles Schmid murders Alleen Rowe after luring her to the desert.
Fritz Sisters Murdered
Schmid strangles Gretchen and Wendy Fritz after confiding his past crimes to Gretchen.
Arrest of Charles Schmid
Schmid is apprehended after his friend Richard Bruns reports his involvement in the murders.
Trial Begins
The trial of Charles Schmid begins, attracting significant media attention.
Conviction and Sentencing
Schmid is found guilty of murder and sentenced to death.
Sentence Commuted
Due to a Supreme Court ruling, Schmid's death sentence is commuted to 50 years in prison.
Prison Escape
Schmid escapes from Arizona State Prison but is recaptured shortly after.
Murdered in Prison
Schmid is stabbed 47 times by fellow inmates and later dies from his injuries.
Death Confirmed
Charles Schmid dies from injuries sustained in prison attack.
Charles Howard Schmid Jr., known as the "Pied Piper of Tucson," was an American serial killer active in Tucson, Arizona, between 1964 and 1965, where he committed at least three murders. Schmid was apprehended on November 10, 1965, following an investigation into the disappearances of several young women, which led to the discovery of their remains in the desert. He was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder, receiving a death sentence that was later commuted to life imprisonment. Schmid's case gained notoriety through journalist Don Moser's article in Life magazine and has influenced various literary works, highlighting the impact of his crimes on the community and the media. Schmid died in prison on March 30, 1975, from stab wounds inflicted by another inmate.
Charles Schmid is believed to have been influenced by a desire for attention and a need to dominate, leading him to commit his murders as a means of asserting power. Some speculate that his troubled upbringing and rejection by his birth mother contributed to his violent behavior. Additionally, there are theories that Schmid's charm and good looks allowed him to manipulate and lure his victims more easily, earning him the nickname "Pied Piper."
The Pied Piper of Tucson: The Sinister Tale of Charles Schmid
Introduction
In the sun-drenched city of Tucson, Arizona, a chilling figure emerged in the early 1960s, casting a long shadow over the community. Known as the "Pied Piper of Tucson," Charles Howard Schmid Jr. would become infamous for his heinous crimes, immortalized in an article by journalist Don Moser in Life magazine on March 4, 1966, and later inspiring Joyce Carol Oates' short story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" Schmid's tale of murder and deceit would captivate and terrify, leaving an indelible mark on true crime history.
Early Life
Born on July 8, 1942, in Tucson, Charles Schmid was adopted by Charles and Katharine Schmid, who ran the Hillcrest Nursing Home. His relationship with his adoptive father was fraught, and his efforts to connect with his birth mother ended in rejection. Despite his tumultuous family life, Schmid was a striking figure—good-looking, intelligent, and well-mannered. He excelled in gymnastics, leading his high school team to a state championship, but his academic career ended abruptly when he was suspended for theft.
Living on his parents' property, Schmid enjoyed a life of relative luxury, complete with a monthly allowance of $300, a new car, and a motorcycle. His charisma earned him the nickname "Pied Piper," as he drew many teenagers into his fold, including close friends John Saunders, Richie Bruns, and Paul Graff. Despite his social circle, Schmid often embraced solitude, spending time on Tucson's Speedway Boulevard, where he picked up girls and drank with friends.
Schmid's distinctive appearance was a carefully crafted illusion. Though short in stature, he wore cowboy boots stuffed with newspapers and flattened cans to appear taller, attributing his unusual gait to a fictional brawl with the Mafia. His face was a canvas, adorned with lip balm, pancake makeup, and an artificial mole, while a clothespin stretched his lower lip to mimic Elvis Presley.
The Murders
Alleen Rowe
The chilling saga began on May 31, 1964, when Schmid declared, "I want to kill a girl tonight," to his girlfriend and an acquaintance. The target of his sinister intent was Alleen Rowe, a high school student living with her mother, who worked nights. Schmid chose Rowe because she had rebuffed his and other local youths' advances.
With Mary French, his girlfriend, Schmid lured Rowe into joining them and John Saunders for a drive to the desert. Once there, Schmid bound Rowe's arms, dismissing her cries for explanation with the false claim that French harbored hatred for her. As Saunders left at Schmid's behest, Rowe was raped, and upon Saunders' return, Schmid demanded he also assault the girl. Saunders, unable to comply, witnessed Schmid bludgeon Rowe to death and then helped bury her in the desert.
The Fritz Sisters
Months later, Schmid set his sights on Gretchen Fritz, daughter of a prominent heart surgeon. Their relationship began under the guise of a sales pitch at her home but soon turned romantic. However, Fritz's possessive nature and propensity for dramatics strained the affair. Schmid confided in her about Rowe's murder, attempting to impress her with the grave's location. Unbeknownst to him, Fritz had a diary detailing his crimes and threatened to expose him if he left her.
Fearing exposure, Schmid strangled Gretchen, 17, and her 13-year-old sister, Wendy, on August 16, 1965. He shared the gruesome details with Richard Bruns, who, terrified for his girlfriend's safety, fled to Ohio. There, Bruns confessed everything to his grandparents, eventually returning to assist authorities in the investigation.
Trial and Media Frenzy
The murder trials captivated the nation, with Life and Playboy magazines dispatching reporters to cover the proceedings. Even F. Lee Bailey, the renowned attorney from high-profile cases like the Boston Strangler, was consulted. In 1966, Schmid was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. However, following the Furman v. Georgia ruling in 1972, his sentence was commuted to 50 years. The financial toll of his legal battles left his adoptive mother and stepfather in dire straits.
Incarceration and Escapes
Schmid's time in prison was marked by attempts to escape, culminating in a successful breakout on November 11, 1972, with fellow inmate Raymond Hudgens. Their freedom was short-lived, as they were recaptured after holding hostages and dining at a Sonic. During his imprisonment, Schmid turned to poetry, gaining the attention of University of Arizona professor Richard Shelton, who recognized his talent despite the macabre circumstances.
Death and Legacy
On March 20, 1975, Schmid's life came to a violent end when he was stabbed 47 times by inmates Jimmy Ferra and Dennis Eversole. After losing an eye and a kidney, he succumbed to his injuries on March 30. His body was briefly stolen from the morgue before being recovered and buried in the prison cemetery, away from potential vandals. The assailants, both serving sentences for other crimes, received additional time for Schmid's murder.
Cultural Impact
The sinister allure of Schmid's story transcended his life, inspiring Joyce Carol Oates' acclaimed short story and several film adaptations, including "Smooth Talk" and "The Todd Killings." His crimes also influenced Emily Ross's young adult thriller "Half in Love with Death" and were explored in the true crime account "I, a Squealer" by Richard Bruns. Schmid's legacy endures, a dark chapter in the annals of American crime.
Sources
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
Charles Schmid murders Alleen Rowe after luring her to the desert.
Fritz Sisters Murdered
Schmid strangles Gretchen and Wendy Fritz after confiding his past crimes to Gretchen.
Arrest of Charles Schmid
Schmid is apprehended after his friend Richard Bruns reports his involvement in the murders.
Trial Begins
The trial of Charles Schmid begins, attracting significant media attention.
Conviction and Sentencing
Schmid is found guilty of murder and sentenced to death.
Sentence Commuted
Due to a Supreme Court ruling, Schmid's death sentence is commuted to 50 years in prison.
Prison Escape
Schmid escapes from Arizona State Prison but is recaptured shortly after.
Murdered in Prison
Schmid is stabbed 47 times by fellow inmates and later dies from his injuries.
Death Confirmed
Charles Schmid dies from injuries sustained in prison attack.