David Villarreal

Overview

David Villarreal, born on October 12, 1955, is an American serial killer infamous for a series of brutal murders between 1978 and 1981 in San Antonio and Dallas, Texas. Responsible for the torture and killing of at least five gay men, Villarreal's gruesome methods and the shocking nature of his crimes led to his conviction in two separate trials, resulting in multiple life sentences. But the story doesn't end there; he is also suspected in two additional homicides committed in a similar pattern.

Quick Facts

• Born: October 12, 1955 (age 69)
• Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
• Convictions: Murder (x5), Aggravated assault, Burglary
• Criminal Penalty: Life imprisonment (x5)
• Victims: 5–7
• Span of Crimes: 1978 – 1981 (confirmed), 1974 – 1981 (suspected)
• Country: United States
• State: Texas
• Date Apprehended: March 10, 1981
• Imprisoned at: James V. Allred Unit, Wichita Falls, Texas

The Murders

Villarreal's horrific killing spree began in either late 1978 or early 1979 with the murder of Robert Johnson Manley II. This 71-year-old man, described as "eccentric" and unemployed, was discovered bludgeoned to death in his San Antonio apartment. Neighbors found him clad only in trousers, and the bloodied claw hammer, the murder weapon, lay ominously at his side. Despite the brutality, investigators had no leads at the time, leaving this killing shrouded in mystery for years.

March 1979: First Confirmed Murder

Fast forward to March 17, 1979. The body of Ernesto Carbajal Garcia, a 26-year-old, was unearthed in an abandoned building in downtown Dallas. His skull had been crushed by a concrete block, and the autopsy revealed signs of torture. Villarreal had viciously assaulted him with a piece of wood and stabbed him with an ice pick. The sheer brutality of this murder raised alarms among law enforcement.

April 1979: The Double Homicide

Then, on April 18, Villarreal’s murderous rage escalated as he broke into an apartment shared by Tony Natal Gutierrez, 32, and Charles Edward Moya, 30. Fuelled by an inexplicable hatred, Villarreal first attacked Gutierrez, stabbing him in the chest and slashing his throat. He then moved on to Moya, delivering a similar fate. But his savagery didn't stop there; he disfigured both victims' faces, a grotesque touch that highlighted the depths of his depravity. Gutierrez had a teaspoon shoved up his nose, and he was stabbed near both eyes. Villarreal even went so far as to burn Moya’s right eyelid with a match.

Arrest and Imprisonment

Following these heinous acts, Villarreal was briefly detained for questioning related to Garcia’s murder but was released due to insufficient evidence. Meanwhile, he found himself behind bars for a burglary charge in Austin, serving nearly two years. After his release, he returned to San Antonio, where he committed his last confirmed murder on March 3, 1981. Here, he met Joe Edward Duque, an 18-year-old, at a city park and bludgeoned him to death with a cedar post. The murder weapon was conveniently left at the scene, a clear indicator of his reckless confidence.

Capture and Confession

As investigators pieced together the murders, Villarreal became a prime suspect, particularly since he had connections to all the victims. On March 10, 1981, authorities arrested him without incident. What followed was shocking: he voluntarily confessed to killing seven men since 1974. Initially, cops could only conclusively tie him to the murders of Garcia, Gutierrez, and Moya, but they held off on formal charges until they could confirm other alleged victims.

Despite his chilling confessions, Villarreal remained tight-lipped about his motives. However, detectives suspected that personal animosity and a twisted sense of sexual gratification played significant roles in his crimes.

Trials and Sentencing

As the investigation deepened, authorities in San Antonio linked Villarreal to both the Manley and Duque murders, prompting the decision to charge him in those cases as well. He was first tried for the three murders in Dallas, facing a $90,000 bail. During this time, Villarreal gave a revealing interview in which he expressed a desire for the death penalty, claiming he couldn't bear the thought of life imprisonment and lacked any remorse for his actions. He chillingly stated that his brutality was intended to ensure his victims were truly dead.

However, when the trial commenced, Villarreal opted for a guilty plea, receiving three life sentences for his Dallas murders. He was then transported to San Antonio, where he again pleaded guilty, earning two additional life terms for the homicides of Manley and Duque. As of January 2023, Villarreal remains incarcerated at the James V. Allred Unit in Wichita Falls, Texas. The identities of his two other suspected victims remain a haunting mystery.

See Also

• List of serial killers in the United States

Sources

• "David Villarreal". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on October 4, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
• "Suspect in Two Murders Admits Others". The Victoria Advocate. March 12, 1981 – via Newspapers.com.
• Hensley, Denise. "Dallas ties 7 slayings to suspect". Fort Worth Star-Telegram, March 12, 1981. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
• Hensley, Denise. "Dallas ties 7 slayings to suspect". Fort Worth Star-Telegram, March 12, 1981. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
• "Dallas murder probe reveals stories of torture, other slayings". San Angelo Standard-Times, March 12, 1981 – via Newspapers.com.
• "3 murder charges filed against drifter in Texas". Miami Herald, March 14, 1981 – via Newspapers.com.
• "Man would rather die than go to prison". The Daily News, March 14, 1981 – via Newspapers.com.
• "SA man indicted in 3 murders". Fort Worth Star-Telegram, March 24, 1981 – via Newspapers.com.
• "Man gets two more life sentences". The Marshall News Messenger, November 18, 1981 – via Newspapers.com.