David Van Dyke: The Milwaukee Serial Killer

Overview

David Allen Van Dyke, born on January 14, 1959, is an American serial killer whose chilling crime spree shocked the residents of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Between July 1979 and April 1980, Van Dyke brutally bludgeoned, beat, and stabbed six people to death in their own homes. His reign of terror came to an end in May 1980, following an attempted burglary that led investigators to connect him to the murders through his fingerprints. Convicted in 1981, Van Dyke received an unprecedented six life sentences along with an additional 40 years. He currently resides in a maximum-security penitentiary in Waupun, Wisconsin.

Quick Facts

• Born: January 14, 1959 (age 66)
• Criminal Status: Incarcerated
• Convictions: First-degree murder, attempted murder, armed robbery
• Criminal Penalty: Life imprisonment (6 counts) + 40 years
• Victims: 6 killed, 1 survived
• Span of Crimes: July 19, 1979 – April 25, 1980
• Country: United States
• State: Wisconsin
• Date Apprehended: May 23, 1980
• Imprisoned at: Waupun Correctional Institution

Early Life

Van Dyke's early years were marked by instability and violence. Born as one of five children, he was raised initially by his grandmother until her death when he was only six years old. Following this tragedy, he was thrust into a chaotic home life with his mother, who struggled to provide the support he needed.

From a young age, Van Dyke exhibited troubling behaviors: he refused to attend school, eventually dropping out after just seventh grade. His adolescent years were characterized by delinquency, including vandalism, bullying, and theft. One particularly disturbing incident involved him threatening his niece with a knife—a chilling prelude to the violence he would later inflict on his victims.

Despite being teased about his weight, he managed to lose some pounds through a weight reduction program. However, as an adult, Van Dyke never held a steady job; he relied on petty crime, earning about $600 a month as a pool shark and burglar. His transient lifestyle frequently found him living in cars or abandoned buildings. His criminal history began to accumulate, and by April 1979, he had been paroled for a prior burglary conviction, setting the stage for his horrific acts to come.

The Crimes

Van Dyke's murderous spree unfolded between July 1979 and April 1980, during which he targeted six individuals—four women and two men—mostly in their own homes in northern Milwaukee. His method of entry was often deceptive: he would approach his victims under the pretense of needing to use their telephone or bathroom. Once inside, the brutality commenced.

Victim Profiles

1. Della Mae Liggens (69 years old)

   • Date: July 19, 1979
   • Method: Stabbing
   • Details: This was Van Dyke's first known victim, marking the beginning of his violent pattern.

2. Florence Burkard (78 years old)

   • Date: August 10, 1979
   • Method: Stabbing (43 times with scissors)
   • Details: Burkard's body was discovered by volunteers delivering meals. The frenzied attack began in her kitchen, with her lifeless form found at the base of her basement stairs, a horrifying scene that shocked the community.

3. Helen Wronski (79 years old)

   • Date: November 9, 1979
   • Method: Bludgeoning
   • Details: After beating Wronski to death in her living room, Van Dyke covered her body with a sheet before rummaging through her belongings. Her son discovered her the next day, and investigators found partial fingerprints but could not initially match them to any suspects.

4. Charles Golston (63 years old)

   • Date: January 25, 1980
   • Method: Bludgeoning with a claw hammer
   • Details: Golston was found bleeding and unconscious by a friend and suffered a coma for over three months before succumbing to his injuries.

5. Bernard Fonder (49 years old)

   • Date: March 3, 1980
   • Method: Bludgeoning
   • Details: Fonder's case was particularly eerie. Just days before his death, he had given his neighbors a note with the name of a violent former roommate, instructing them to contact police should anything happen to him. The roommate was initially suspected but released due to mismatched fingerprints.

6. Helen Louise Bellamy (30 years old)

   • Date: April 25, 1980
   • Method: Sexual assault and beating with a tire jack
   • Details: Bellamy's murder was discovered by her 13-year-old son upon returning home from school, a traumatic sight for any child. Police initially sought two men dressed as television repairmen, who might have been involved.

The Attempted Murder

On April 14, 1980, Van Dyke attempted to murder a 28-year-old woman who had invited him into her home. After expressing interest in purchasing her car, he followed her upstairs, where he launched a brutal attack. Despite his vicious assault, she managed to escape after a harrowing struggle, running for help while Van Dyke fled the scene with stolen cash.

Arrest and Prosecution

The investigation into the string of murders began to converge as detectives began to link the crimes through shared methods and evidence. Unfortunately, it wasn't until May 23, 1980, that the pieces fell into place. Van Dyke was arrested for attempted burglary, and his fingerprints matched those found at several murder scenes.

Under interrogation, Van Dyke confessed to the murders in a chilling display of emotional volatility, often breaking down in tears. He faced charges for six counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and one count of armed robbery.

The Trial

Van Dyke's trial kicked off in February 1981, drawing significant media attention. On the first day, his surviving victim recounted her harrowing experience, bringing a palpable tension to the courtroom. In a surprising move against his lawyer's advice, Van Dyke took the stand in his own defense. He admitted to a staggering 200 burglaries but feigned innocence regarding violence, claiming he would never harm a victim if confronted.

His defense was riddled with contradictions; he tried to argue that the wounds on the surviving victim were self-inflicted during a struggle, despite the overwhelming evidence against him. After four-and-a-half hours of deliberation, the jury found him guilty on all counts. His sentencing was historic—he received six life sentences, surpassing the previous record for the longest term in Wisconsin's history.

Conclusion

David Van Dyke remains incarcerated at the Waupun Correctional Institution, where he is scheduled for parole eligibility in 2048, when he will be 89 years old. His case serves as a haunting reminder of the darkness that can lurk in seemingly ordinary lives and the profound impact of violence on communities.

Sources

• "David A. Van Dyke Custody Record." Vinelink. June 21, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
• "Six Milwaukee North Siders all killed in their homes." Chippewa Herald Telegram. June 3, 1980. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
• Balousek, Marv (1997). 50 Wisconsin Crimes of the Century (illustrated ed.). Badger Books Inc. pp. 269–275. ISBN 9781878569479.
• "Claims police manufactured confessions." Stevens Point Journal. March 4, 1981. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
• Bourgoin, Stéphane (2004). Le livre noir des serial killers (in Spanish). Grasset. ISBN 9782246661993.
• "Milwaukee man accused in series of six murders." Wausau Daily Herald. June 5, 1980. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
• "Native Of Sheboygan Slain In Milwaukee." The Sheboygan Press. August 11, 1979. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
• "Police investigate beating death." The Post Crescent. November 11, 1979. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
• "Woman slain in home." Wausau Daily Herald. April 26, 1980. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
• "Van Dyke given longest term in state history." Wausau Daily Herald. March 6, 1981. Retrieved March 12, 2023.

Original Wikipedia Article