Charles William Davis
Baltimore Serial Killer and Rapist
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Baltimore, Maryland
TIME PERIOD
1974-1977
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
Charles William Davis Jr., an American serial killer and rapist, committed multiple crimes in Baltimore, Maryland, between 1974 and 1977, resulting in the deaths of four women and the assault of several others. His criminal activities included luring victims to isolated areas, where he would sexually assault and murder them, often taunting investigators by anonymously providing directions to the locations of the bodies. Davis was apprehended on September 1, 1977, and subsequently convicted of three counts of first-degree murder, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. He is currently incarcerated at Jessup Correctional Institution in Jessup, Maryland. Significant evidence leading to his conviction included victim testimonies, forensic analysis, and the establishment of a pattern in his criminal behavior, which ultimately linked him to the murders.
Charles William Davis is believed to have used his knowledge of law enforcement procedures, gained from his previous work and connections, to evade capture during his crime spree. Some speculate that his desire for media attention was a driving factor in his actions, as he would often call authorities to provide clues about the locations of his victims' bodies. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that his background and personal relationships may have influenced his violent behavior.
The Sinister Chronicles of Charles William Davis
The Shadow Over Baltimore
Charles William Davis Jr., born on June 18, 1947, in Baltimore, Maryland, would carve a dark path through the city, leaving a trail of terror that spanned from 1974 to 1977. Known for his chilling crimes, Davis, an American serial killer and rapist, claimed the lives of four women and violated several others. His insidious thirst for attention drove him to taunt authorities with anonymous calls, directing them to his victims' whereabouts. Ultimately, his actions led to his capture, conviction, and a life sentence in prison.
A Complex Life
Davis’s early life remains largely shrouded in mystery. As the son of a Baltimore police lieutenant, Davis navigated various careers in the late 1960s, including roles as an electrician, a security guard, and a volunteer assistant chief of staff for the Baltimore Volunteer Rescue Squad. In the early 1970s, he pursued courses to become a laboratory technician. During this period, Davis, a married man with a son, divorced his wife and moved in with a single mother he met through volunteering. His connections within law enforcement fueled his understanding of investigative methods, knowledge he would later exploit in his criminal endeavors. In 1973, a handgun violation conviction marked the beginning of his documented criminal record, though it's unclear if he served time for this offense.
A String of Horrors
Davis's descent into violence began in late 1974. After witnessing a traffic accident involving a 23-year-old woman, he offered assistance, only to drag her into the woods where he raped and attempted to strangle her. Believing her dead, he left the scene. Miraculously, the woman survived and reported the crime, providing police with a composite sketch of her attacker.
On August 24, 1975, Davis met 20-year-old Roseann "Ann" Sturtz in a Howard County bar. He lured her to an isolated area, where he sexually assaulted and murdered her. Her body was discovered in Columbia four months later, but due to insufficient evidence, Davis was not charged, leaving the case unresolved until 2025.
Davis's brutality continued on September 11 when he went on a date with Lydia Victoria Norman. After she refused his sexual advances, he strangled her and discarded her body. A subsequent loss of custody of his son drove Davis to target a female social worker he blamed for his legal troubles. On New Year's Eve, he abducted a woman from a nightclub, only to realize she was not the social worker but 24-year-old Kathleen Diane Cook, engaged to a high-ranking police officer. Despite her threats, Davis raped and shot Cook, and when she attempted to escape, he fatally stabbed her.
In a chilling repetition of his crimes, on August 24, 1976, Davis encountered 23-year-old Peggy Ellen Pumpian on I-95. After tailing her car and offering to show her an alternate route to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, he forced his way into her vehicle, demanded money, and raped her at gunpoint. When Pumpian fought back, Davis shot her five times, killing her. Authorities later linked the bullets to those used in Cook's murder, connecting the two cases.
Davis’s spree continued with the rape of a 21-year-old woman on September 3, and the assault of a pregnant woman, Carol Willingham, on February 23, 1977, whom he beat, robbed, and raped before setting free.
The Capture
Davis’s reign of terror began to unravel on July 20, 1977, when officers David Horan and Gary Hartman pulled him over for stolen license plates on his Volkswagen Beetle. A search revealed a stolen CB radio, leading to his arrest. Although initially released after presenting a purchase receipt, further investigation revealed the radio was bought with a stolen credit card belonging to Carol Willingham’s husband. Confronted with Davis’s photo, Willingham identified him as her attacker, prompting an arrest warrant.
On August 31, Davis was arrested in Reno, Nevada, where he worked as an ambulance dispatch-helper. During extradition to Baltimore, he confessed to the murders of Pumpian and Cook on videotape after being read his Miranda rights. Indictments followed swiftly.
The Trials
To ensure a fair trial amidst intense media scrutiny, authorities decided on separate trials across different venues for Davis’s crimes. In early 1978, Davis faced trial in Allegany County for Cook’s murder, resulting in a guilty verdict and a life sentence on April 12. Davis then stood trial for Pumpian’s murder, where his attorney’s mistrial motion was granted. However, in a second trial, Davis received another life sentence in April 1979, despite claims of coercion during his confession.
In early 1979, Davis was tried in Anne Arundel County for Norman’s murder, receiving a life sentence with parole eligibility after 48 years. Throughout the trials, Davis remained impassive.
Legacy of Darkness
Since his conviction, Davis has been imprisoned in various Maryland facilities. In the early 1980s, FBI agent John E. Douglas interviewed him to develop profiles for capturing future serial killers. In March 2025, Davis was finally identified as Sturtz's murderer, though he remains immune from prosecution due to legal protections during an earlier investigation.
Today, Charles William Davis resides at Jessup Correctional Institution, serving his life sentences, as the grim legacy of his crimes continues to haunt Baltimore.
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First Assault
Davis assaults a 23-year-old woman after a traffic accident.
Murder of Roseann Sturtz
Davis lures and murders 20-year-old Roseann Sturtz.
Murder of Kathleen Cook
Davis kidnaps, rapes, and murders 24-year-old Kathleen Cook.
Murder of Peggy Pumpian
Davis rapes and murders 23-year-old Peggy Ellen Pumpian.
Initial Arrest
Davis is arrested for theft of stolen license plates.
Confession and Extradition
Davis confesses to the murders of Cook and Pumpian.
Conviction for Cook's Murder
Davis is found guilty of Kathleen Cook's murder and sentenced to life.
Conviction for Pumpian's Murder
Davis is found guilty of Peggy Pumpian's murder, receiving a second life sentence.
Conviction for Norman's Murder
Davis is convicted of Lydia Norman's murder, receiving a life sentence.
Sturtz Case Solved
Davis is identified as the killer of Roseann Sturtz, case officially closed.
Charles William Davis Jr., an American serial killer and rapist, committed multiple crimes in Baltimore, Maryland, between 1974 and 1977, resulting in the deaths of four women and the assault of several others. His criminal activities included luring victims to isolated areas, where he would sexually assault and murder them, often taunting investigators by anonymously providing directions to the locations of the bodies. Davis was apprehended on September 1, 1977, and subsequently convicted of three counts of first-degree murder, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. He is currently incarcerated at Jessup Correctional Institution in Jessup, Maryland. Significant evidence leading to his conviction included victim testimonies, forensic analysis, and the establishment of a pattern in his criminal behavior, which ultimately linked him to the murders.
Charles William Davis is believed to have used his knowledge of law enforcement procedures, gained from his previous work and connections, to evade capture during his crime spree. Some speculate that his desire for media attention was a driving factor in his actions, as he would often call authorities to provide clues about the locations of his victims' bodies. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that his background and personal relationships may have influenced his violent behavior.
The Sinister Chronicles of Charles William Davis
The Shadow Over Baltimore
Charles William Davis Jr., born on June 18, 1947, in Baltimore, Maryland, would carve a dark path through the city, leaving a trail of terror that spanned from 1974 to 1977. Known for his chilling crimes, Davis, an American serial killer and rapist, claimed the lives of four women and violated several others. His insidious thirst for attention drove him to taunt authorities with anonymous calls, directing them to his victims' whereabouts. Ultimately, his actions led to his capture, conviction, and a life sentence in prison.
A Complex Life
Davis’s early life remains largely shrouded in mystery. As the son of a Baltimore police lieutenant, Davis navigated various careers in the late 1960s, including roles as an electrician, a security guard, and a volunteer assistant chief of staff for the Baltimore Volunteer Rescue Squad. In the early 1970s, he pursued courses to become a laboratory technician. During this period, Davis, a married man with a son, divorced his wife and moved in with a single mother he met through volunteering. His connections within law enforcement fueled his understanding of investigative methods, knowledge he would later exploit in his criminal endeavors. In 1973, a handgun violation conviction marked the beginning of his documented criminal record, though it's unclear if he served time for this offense.
A String of Horrors
Davis's descent into violence began in late 1974. After witnessing a traffic accident involving a 23-year-old woman, he offered assistance, only to drag her into the woods where he raped and attempted to strangle her. Believing her dead, he left the scene. Miraculously, the woman survived and reported the crime, providing police with a composite sketch of her attacker.
On August 24, 1975, Davis met 20-year-old Roseann "Ann" Sturtz in a Howard County bar. He lured her to an isolated area, where he sexually assaulted and murdered her. Her body was discovered in Columbia four months later, but due to insufficient evidence, Davis was not charged, leaving the case unresolved until 2025.
Davis's brutality continued on September 11 when he went on a date with Lydia Victoria Norman. After she refused his sexual advances, he strangled her and discarded her body. A subsequent loss of custody of his son drove Davis to target a female social worker he blamed for his legal troubles. On New Year's Eve, he abducted a woman from a nightclub, only to realize she was not the social worker but 24-year-old Kathleen Diane Cook, engaged to a high-ranking police officer. Despite her threats, Davis raped and shot Cook, and when she attempted to escape, he fatally stabbed her.
In a chilling repetition of his crimes, on August 24, 1976, Davis encountered 23-year-old Peggy Ellen Pumpian on I-95. After tailing her car and offering to show her an alternate route to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, he forced his way into her vehicle, demanded money, and raped her at gunpoint. When Pumpian fought back, Davis shot her five times, killing her. Authorities later linked the bullets to those used in Cook's murder, connecting the two cases.
Davis’s spree continued with the rape of a 21-year-old woman on September 3, and the assault of a pregnant woman, Carol Willingham, on February 23, 1977, whom he beat, robbed, and raped before setting free.
The Capture
Davis’s reign of terror began to unravel on July 20, 1977, when officers David Horan and Gary Hartman pulled him over for stolen license plates on his Volkswagen Beetle. A search revealed a stolen CB radio, leading to his arrest. Although initially released after presenting a purchase receipt, further investigation revealed the radio was bought with a stolen credit card belonging to Carol Willingham’s husband. Confronted with Davis’s photo, Willingham identified him as her attacker, prompting an arrest warrant.
On August 31, Davis was arrested in Reno, Nevada, where he worked as an ambulance dispatch-helper. During extradition to Baltimore, he confessed to the murders of Pumpian and Cook on videotape after being read his Miranda rights. Indictments followed swiftly.
The Trials
To ensure a fair trial amidst intense media scrutiny, authorities decided on separate trials across different venues for Davis’s crimes. In early 1978, Davis faced trial in Allegany County for Cook’s murder, resulting in a guilty verdict and a life sentence on April 12. Davis then stood trial for Pumpian’s murder, where his attorney’s mistrial motion was granted. However, in a second trial, Davis received another life sentence in April 1979, despite claims of coercion during his confession.
In early 1979, Davis was tried in Anne Arundel County for Norman’s murder, receiving a life sentence with parole eligibility after 48 years. Throughout the trials, Davis remained impassive.
Legacy of Darkness
Since his conviction, Davis has been imprisoned in various Maryland facilities. In the early 1980s, FBI agent John E. Douglas interviewed him to develop profiles for capturing future serial killers. In March 2025, Davis was finally identified as Sturtz's murderer, though he remains immune from prosecution due to legal protections during an earlier investigation.
Today, Charles William Davis resides at Jessup Correctional Institution, serving his life sentences, as the grim legacy of his crimes continues to haunt Baltimore.
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 Assault
Davis assaults a 23-year-old woman after a traffic accident.
Murder of Roseann Sturtz
Davis lures and murders 20-year-old Roseann Sturtz.
Murder of Kathleen Cook
Davis kidnaps, rapes, and murders 24-year-old Kathleen Cook.
Murder of Peggy Pumpian
Davis rapes and murders 23-year-old Peggy Ellen Pumpian.
Initial Arrest
Davis is arrested for theft of stolen license plates.
Confession and Extradition
Davis confesses to the murders of Cook and Pumpian.
Conviction for Cook's Murder
Davis is found guilty of Kathleen Cook's murder and sentenced to life.
Conviction for Pumpian's Murder
Davis is found guilty of Peggy Pumpian's murder, receiving a second life sentence.
Conviction for Norman's Murder
Davis is convicted of Lydia Norman's murder, receiving a life sentence.
Sturtz Case Solved
Davis is identified as the killer of Roseann Sturtz, case officially closed.