David Misch
Northern California Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Hayward, California
TIME PERIOD
1986-1989
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
David Emery Misch, an American serial killer and rapist, was convicted of murdering three women in northern California between 1986 and 1989. He was apprehended on December 8, 1989, and is currently serving life imprisonment with the possibility of parole for these crimes. In 2020, Misch was linked to the 1988 disappearance of 9-year-old Michaela Garecht, which has remained a high-profile case in the San Francisco Bay Area; he is now awaiting trial for her murder. Significant evidence connecting Misch to Garecht's case includes DNA analysis and witness testimonies, which have reignited public interest and investigative efforts surrounding the decades-old case.
David Misch is believed to have committed multiple murders and is linked to the disappearance of Michaela Garecht, a case that has remained unsolved for decades. Some speculate that his violent upbringing and early criminal behavior may have contributed to his later actions as a serial killer. There are theories that he may have had additional victims beyond those confirmed, raising concerns about the extent of his criminal activities during the 1980s.
The Sinister Path of David Emery Misch
Early Life and Troubled Beginnings
David Emery Misch entered the world on February 19, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois. His early years were marred by turbulence, as his family relocated to Santa Clara, California, in the mid-1960s. Growing up in a household shadowed by his father Robert's alcoholism and aggression, young David's life was anything but ordinary. The constant physical abuse he witnessed and endured led him to lose interest in school during the mid-1970s. Misch, in later interviews, would lay the blame squarely on his mother for not intervening to stop the abuse.
Estranged from his parents, Misch began spending more time on the streets. It was here, at the tender age of sixteen, that he first dipped his toes into the murky waters of criminal activity.
The Descent into Crime
Violent Crimes
In 1977, a chilling incident marked the beginning of Misch's criminal record. At just sixteen, he broke into a neighbor's home and raped a housecleaner at knifepoint. The assault was brutal, culminating in an attempted strangulation, which the victim thwarted by kicking him in the stomach and pleading for her life. Misch was soon apprehended, but due to his juvenile status, he received a lenient sentence, serving a brief stint in prison before being released on parole in 1979.
His freedom was short-lived. Misch, clad in just a jacket, broke into another neighbor's home, threatening a woman and her children with a knife. Though he left without causing physical harm, this incident led to his arrest and a forensic psychiatric examination. Diagnosed as insane, he was sent to Atascadero State Hospital for treatment. By September 1981, deemed no longer a threat, he was released and relocated to Hayward, where he found work as a sign painter for a construction company.
June 1982 saw another violent episode. Misch, while installing real estate signs in Oakland Hills, attacked 18-year-old Swiss exchange student Betina Benthaus. He assaulted her brutally, cutting her lip and rendering her unconscious. Residents who witnessed the scene confronted Misch, who concocted a story about her falling. Seizing a moment of distraction, he fled in his pickup truck. However, the residents had memorized the dealership's name on his truck, leading police directly to him. Misch was charged with assault and attempted rape, resulting in a four-year prison sentence.
By January 1984, Misch was back on the streets of Hayward, living with a girlfriend and making ends meet through manual labor and petty theft. In November 1987, his girlfriend gave birth to a son, David Michael Misch, whose tragic death at three months old in February 1988 preceded Misch's arrest for theft, leading to another jail term.
Released on November 14, 1988, Misch returned to Hayward, where his criminal activities continued. Just days later, a routine vehicle check revealed him in possession of suspicious items, leading to another theft conviction and a 17-month sentence at San Quentin State Prison.
Murder of Margaret Ball
Seven months into his sentence, Misch was paroled on November 17, 1989. But his freedom was again fleeting. On December 8, 1989, he was arrested for the murder of Margaret Narcisa Ball. The 36-year-old woman's body was discovered by the daughter of her boyfriend, Michael Zaboy, in her home in unincorporated Hayward. She had been beaten and stabbed, with $85 in food stamps and change stolen.
The investigation quickly zeroed in on Misch. Authorities found Ball's missing car, a 1981 silver Mazda, with Misch behind the wheel near the Farm House Motel in Oakland. Ball's acquaintances, including Zaboy, informed officers of Misch's history of harassment and threats towards her. Though Misch denied the murder initially, he later admitted to killing Ball during what he claimed was a methamphetamine-fueled robbery. His father testified that Misch had confessed on the day of the murder.
In 1990, Misch was convicted of Ball's murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole. Despite multiple parole applications, he remained incarcerated as he was moved through the California penal system.
Connections to Cold Cases
The Murders of Michelle Xavier and Jennifer Duey
A breakthrough came in 2003 when a DNA sample from Misch linked him to a cold case. His DNA matched epithelial particles found under the fingernails of 20-year-old Jennifer Duey. Duey and her 18-year-old friend Michelle Xavier were last seen alive on February 1, 1986, at a 7-Eleven in Fremont. The following day, a motorcyclist discovered their bodies. Duey had been stabbed, and Xavier had been shot. Their killer had stolen Xavier's 1984 Pontiac Sunbird, later abandoned in a shopping center parking lot.
When questioned in prison, Misch denied the murders, spinning a tale of intervening in an attempted abduction. He claimed to have fought off two men trying to kidnap one of the girls, explaining the DNA under their nails as a result of the scuffle. However, technical issues during his interrogation meant Misch wasn’t charged until 2018, after he survived a suicide attempt and left behind a note expressing a desire to protect his family.
The Disappearance of Michaela Garecht
In December 2020, Misch faced new charges: the kidnapping and murder of Michaela Garecht. The 9-year-old was abducted on November 19, 1988, from Hayward's Rainbow Market. Witnesses described the abductor as a man with long hair, driving a gold or brown Oldsmobile. Misch, it was revealed, had been visiting his son's grave at a nearby cemetery on the day of her disappearance. Investigators linked him to the crime through palm and thumbprints found on Garecht's scooter, although Misch's defense argued the case lacked definitive proof without a body.
2024 Trial and Conviction
Misch's trial for the murders of Michelle Xavier and Jennifer Duey began on October 21, 2024. The prosecution sought to consolidate the cases due to their similarities, while Misch's defense challenged the circumstantial nature of the evidence. Nevertheless, on December 19, 2024, the jury found Misch guilty of two counts of first-degree murder. On January 21, 2025, he received two consecutive 25-year-to-life sentences, only eligible for parole after serving his sentence for Ball's murder.
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First Murders
Michelle Xavier and Jennifer Duey are murdered.
Arrest for Ball's Murder
David Misch is arrested for the murder of Margaret Ball.
Convicted of Murder
Misch is convicted of the murder of Margaret Ball.
DNA Evidence Found
DNA links Misch to the murders of Xavier and Duey.
Suicide Attempt
Misch attempts suicide in prison after a confession.
Charged with Garecht's Murder
Misch is charged with the kidnapping and murder of Michaela Garecht.
Trial Begins
Trial for the murders of Xavier and Duey begins.
Guilty Verdict
Misch is found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder.
Sentencing
Misch is sentenced to two consecutive terms of 25 years-to-life.
David Emery Misch, an American serial killer and rapist, was convicted of murdering three women in northern California between 1986 and 1989. He was apprehended on December 8, 1989, and is currently serving life imprisonment with the possibility of parole for these crimes. In 2020, Misch was linked to the 1988 disappearance of 9-year-old Michaela Garecht, which has remained a high-profile case in the San Francisco Bay Area; he is now awaiting trial for her murder. Significant evidence connecting Misch to Garecht's case includes DNA analysis and witness testimonies, which have reignited public interest and investigative efforts surrounding the decades-old case.
David Misch is believed to have committed multiple murders and is linked to the disappearance of Michaela Garecht, a case that has remained unsolved for decades. Some speculate that his violent upbringing and early criminal behavior may have contributed to his later actions as a serial killer. There are theories that he may have had additional victims beyond those confirmed, raising concerns about the extent of his criminal activities during the 1980s.
The Sinister Path of David Emery Misch
Early Life and Troubled Beginnings
David Emery Misch entered the world on February 19, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois. His early years were marred by turbulence, as his family relocated to Santa Clara, California, in the mid-1960s. Growing up in a household shadowed by his father Robert's alcoholism and aggression, young David's life was anything but ordinary. The constant physical abuse he witnessed and endured led him to lose interest in school during the mid-1970s. Misch, in later interviews, would lay the blame squarely on his mother for not intervening to stop the abuse.
Estranged from his parents, Misch began spending more time on the streets. It was here, at the tender age of sixteen, that he first dipped his toes into the murky waters of criminal activity.
The Descent into Crime
Violent Crimes
In 1977, a chilling incident marked the beginning of Misch's criminal record. At just sixteen, he broke into a neighbor's home and raped a housecleaner at knifepoint. The assault was brutal, culminating in an attempted strangulation, which the victim thwarted by kicking him in the stomach and pleading for her life. Misch was soon apprehended, but due to his juvenile status, he received a lenient sentence, serving a brief stint in prison before being released on parole in 1979.
His freedom was short-lived. Misch, clad in just a jacket, broke into another neighbor's home, threatening a woman and her children with a knife. Though he left without causing physical harm, this incident led to his arrest and a forensic psychiatric examination. Diagnosed as insane, he was sent to Atascadero State Hospital for treatment. By September 1981, deemed no longer a threat, he was released and relocated to Hayward, where he found work as a sign painter for a construction company.
June 1982 saw another violent episode. Misch, while installing real estate signs in Oakland Hills, attacked 18-year-old Swiss exchange student Betina Benthaus. He assaulted her brutally, cutting her lip and rendering her unconscious. Residents who witnessed the scene confronted Misch, who concocted a story about her falling. Seizing a moment of distraction, he fled in his pickup truck. However, the residents had memorized the dealership's name on his truck, leading police directly to him. Misch was charged with assault and attempted rape, resulting in a four-year prison sentence.
By January 1984, Misch was back on the streets of Hayward, living with a girlfriend and making ends meet through manual labor and petty theft. In November 1987, his girlfriend gave birth to a son, David Michael Misch, whose tragic death at three months old in February 1988 preceded Misch's arrest for theft, leading to another jail term.
Released on November 14, 1988, Misch returned to Hayward, where his criminal activities continued. Just days later, a routine vehicle check revealed him in possession of suspicious items, leading to another theft conviction and a 17-month sentence at San Quentin State Prison.
Murder of Margaret Ball
Seven months into his sentence, Misch was paroled on November 17, 1989. But his freedom was again fleeting. On December 8, 1989, he was arrested for the murder of Margaret Narcisa Ball. The 36-year-old woman's body was discovered by the daughter of her boyfriend, Michael Zaboy, in her home in unincorporated Hayward. She had been beaten and stabbed, with $85 in food stamps and change stolen.
The investigation quickly zeroed in on Misch. Authorities found Ball's missing car, a 1981 silver Mazda, with Misch behind the wheel near the Farm House Motel in Oakland. Ball's acquaintances, including Zaboy, informed officers of Misch's history of harassment and threats towards her. Though Misch denied the murder initially, he later admitted to killing Ball during what he claimed was a methamphetamine-fueled robbery. His father testified that Misch had confessed on the day of the murder.
In 1990, Misch was convicted of Ball's murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole. Despite multiple parole applications, he remained incarcerated as he was moved through the California penal system.
Connections to Cold Cases
The Murders of Michelle Xavier and Jennifer Duey
A breakthrough came in 2003 when a DNA sample from Misch linked him to a cold case. His DNA matched epithelial particles found under the fingernails of 20-year-old Jennifer Duey. Duey and her 18-year-old friend Michelle Xavier were last seen alive on February 1, 1986, at a 7-Eleven in Fremont. The following day, a motorcyclist discovered their bodies. Duey had been stabbed, and Xavier had been shot. Their killer had stolen Xavier's 1984 Pontiac Sunbird, later abandoned in a shopping center parking lot.
When questioned in prison, Misch denied the murders, spinning a tale of intervening in an attempted abduction. He claimed to have fought off two men trying to kidnap one of the girls, explaining the DNA under their nails as a result of the scuffle. However, technical issues during his interrogation meant Misch wasn’t charged until 2018, after he survived a suicide attempt and left behind a note expressing a desire to protect his family.
The Disappearance of Michaela Garecht
In December 2020, Misch faced new charges: the kidnapping and murder of Michaela Garecht. The 9-year-old was abducted on November 19, 1988, from Hayward's Rainbow Market. Witnesses described the abductor as a man with long hair, driving a gold or brown Oldsmobile. Misch, it was revealed, had been visiting his son's grave at a nearby cemetery on the day of her disappearance. Investigators linked him to the crime through palm and thumbprints found on Garecht's scooter, although Misch's defense argued the case lacked definitive proof without a body.
2024 Trial and Conviction
Misch's trial for the murders of Michelle Xavier and Jennifer Duey began on October 21, 2024. The prosecution sought to consolidate the cases due to their similarities, while Misch's defense challenged the circumstantial nature of the evidence. Nevertheless, on December 19, 2024, the jury found Misch guilty of two counts of first-degree murder. On January 21, 2025, he received two consecutive 25-year-to-life sentences, only eligible for parole after serving his sentence for Ball's murder.
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 Murders
Michelle Xavier and Jennifer Duey are murdered.
Arrest for Ball's Murder
David Misch is arrested for the murder of Margaret Ball.
Convicted of Murder
Misch is convicted of the murder of Margaret Ball.
DNA Evidence Found
DNA links Misch to the murders of Xavier and Duey.
Suicide Attempt
Misch attempts suicide in prison after a confession.
Charged with Garecht's Murder
Misch is charged with the kidnapping and murder of Michaela Garecht.
Trial Begins
Trial for the murders of Xavier and Duey begins.
Guilty Verdict
Misch is found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder.
Sentencing
Misch is sentenced to two consecutive terms of 25 years-to-life.