Dean Carter
California Spree Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
California, United States
TIME PERIOD
March 25, 1984 – April 12, 1984
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
Dean Phillip Carter, an American spree killer, was convicted for the murders of four women in California between March 25 and April 12, 1984, primarily in San Diego, Ventura, and Culver City. The victims, whom Carter had befriended in social settings, included Cathleen Tiner and Janette Ann Cullins, both of whom he met at a café. Carter was apprehended on April 17, 1984, and subsequently sentenced to death for his crimes, which also included charges of rape, burglary, and robbery. He is currently incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison, with ongoing investigations suggesting his involvement in the death of a fifth woman. Significant evidence against Carter included eyewitness testimonies and forensic links to the crime scenes.
Dean Carter is believed to have targeted women he met in bars and restaurants, indicating a pattern of premeditated selection of victims. Some speculate that his troubled upbringing and early encounters with the law contributed to his violent behavior, while others suggest that his skills as a cameraman allowed him to blend into social settings, making it easier for him to approach and manipulate his victims. Additionally, there are theories that he may have been involved in other unsolved cases, potentially linking him to more than the confirmed five victims.
The Chilling Spree of Dean Carter: A Tale of Murder and Deception
Early Life and Troubled Beginnings
Dean Phillip Carter was born on August 30, 1955, in the remote town of Nome in the Territory of Alaska. His early years were marked by instability; born as the illegitimate child of a half-Eskimo woman, Carter was adopted by his stepfather, who was a prominent figure in the community, serving as police chief, fire chief, and justice of the peace. However, the path of delinquency seemed to beckon young Dean. By the age of 12, he was committed to a youth camp—a place he tried to escape from three times before being placed in a foster home.
Carter's formative years were marred by crime. He served time in Oregon for auto theft and in Alaska for burglary. During his incarceration in Alaska, he trained as a television cameraman and video technician. Upon his release in 1979, he found work at various television stations in Alaska. His colleague, Charlie Johnson, remembered Carter as a seemingly normal, attractive man who even worked on an award-winning documentary about Eskimo heritage.
Around this time, Carter married a local woman, and they had twin sons. But the marriage crumbled three years later, leaving Carter divorced and without custody of his children. He continued his work as a cameraman, briefly in Seattle, before sailing to San Diego in December 1983. There, he began a relationship with Susan Loyland, a bartender.
A Dangerous Charm
By February 25, 1984, Carter had made his way into the social scene of San Diego, where he met Cathleen Tiner and Janette Ann Cullins at a café in Pacific Beach. Carter was charming, buying them Harvey Wallbangers and exchanging phone numbers. On March 2, they all had dinner on a yacht, but by March 4, Tiner was declining his advances. Carter's persistence didn't wane; he called Tiner again on March 24, proposing a spontaneous marriage in Mexico, which she refused.
Carter's aggressive persistence also reached 18-year-old Polly Haisha, whom he met at a party. Initially, Carter was polite, but his demeanor turned irritated when Haisha repeatedly postponed meeting him. Eventually, his conversation veered towards insulting his ex-wife, prompting Haisha to end their interactions.
The Dark Descent
The night of March 25, 1984, marked the beginning of a terrifying spree. Carter broke into Susan Loyland's San Diego apartment. Armed with a knife, he raped Loyland's roommate, forced her into submission, robbed them, and left her tied up with her own pantyhose. The roommate managed to free herself and call the police, recounting her previous acquaintance with Carter.
Days later, on March 29, the horror continued in Ventura. Carter, his face concealed by a red bandana, invaded the apartment of 22-year-old Jennifer Rose Steward. For five hours, he subjected Steward to sexual assault, rape, and strangulation until she feigned empathy to escape. Steward had met Carter previously but had wisely kept her distance.
A String of Murders
April 12 was a day that revealed the extent of Carter's brutality. The bodies of Susan Lynn Knoll and Jillette Leonora Mills were discovered stacked in a closet in their Culver City apartment. Both had been sexually assaulted and strangled. Ronald C. Tulio, an acquaintance of both women and Bonnie Guthrie, was initially arrested but was in custody when Janette Cullins was believed to have been murdered.
That same day, Bonnie Ann Guthrie's body was found by her landlord. Like the others, she had been sexually assaulted and strangled. Her purse was found two days later in San Diego, linking Carter to the crime. Carter's connection to Knoll, Mills, and Guthrie was traced back to a bar in Santa Monica.
On April 14, Janette Anne Cullins's body was discovered hidden in her closet. Evidence of a break-in was clear from woodchips by the door. Cullins had met Carter two months prior and avoided his repeated attempts to contact her. Video footage later revealed Carter using Cullins's ATM card while wearing a sweater knitted by Guthrie. Her father found her car parked far from her apartment, and her wallet was discarded in Point Loma.
Another possible victim, Tok Chum Kim, was found on April 13. Like the others, she was strangled, and her belongings stolen. Her car was discovered near where Knoll and Mills were slain.
The Manhunt and Arrest
Law enforcement's net closed around Carter on April 17, when an Arizona highway patrol officer pulled him over for erratic driving in Mills's car. Inside, they found items belonging to his victims. Carter was arrested without incident, booked for DUI, making unsafe lane changes, and driving without a license.
Trials and Sentencing
Carter's trial began on July 16, 1989, in Los Angeles. He was convicted of the murders of Knoll, Mills, and Guthrie, in addition to two rapes, and sentenced to death by gas chamber. In Ventura, he was convicted of Cullins's murder, receiving another death sentence, and was found guilty of burglary and robbery. His attack on Susan Loyland's roommate earned him 56 years, and a separate sentence of over 21 years was added for the attack on Jennifer Rose Steward.
Life on Death Row
At San Quentin State Prison, Carter began an internet blog titled "Deadman Talking," where he shared his experiences on death row, carefully avoiding details of his crimes while proclaiming his innocence. Despite citing ineffective assistance of counsel, his sentence was upheld on December 26, 2019.
Sources
This narrative is based on the detailed account from Wikipedia: Dean Carter - Wikipedia.
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First Assault
Dean Carter breaks into Susan Loyland's home, rapes her roommate, and robs them.
Second Assault
Carter sexually assaults and rapes Jennifer Rose Steward in Ventura, California.
First Murders Discovered
Bodies of Susan Knoll and Jillette Mills found in Culver City, both victims of strangulation.
Third Murder Discovered
Bonnie Guthrie's body found in her apartment, also a victim of strangulation.
Fourth Murder Discovered
Janette Cullins' body found in her apartment, confirming Carter's pattern of murder.
Carter Arrested
Dean Carter is arrested in Arizona while driving a vehicle belonging to one of his victims.
First Conviction
Carter convicted of the murders of Knoll, Mills, and Guthrie, sentenced to death.
Additional Conviction
Carter convicted of Cullins' murder and receives another death sentence.
Appeal Denied
Carter's claims of ineffective assistance of counsel are rejected, upholding his death sentence.
Dean Phillip Carter, an American spree killer, was convicted for the murders of four women in California between March 25 and April 12, 1984, primarily in San Diego, Ventura, and Culver City. The victims, whom Carter had befriended in social settings, included Cathleen Tiner and Janette Ann Cullins, both of whom he met at a café. Carter was apprehended on April 17, 1984, and subsequently sentenced to death for his crimes, which also included charges of rape, burglary, and robbery. He is currently incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison, with ongoing investigations suggesting his involvement in the death of a fifth woman. Significant evidence against Carter included eyewitness testimonies and forensic links to the crime scenes.
Dean Carter is believed to have targeted women he met in bars and restaurants, indicating a pattern of premeditated selection of victims. Some speculate that his troubled upbringing and early encounters with the law contributed to his violent behavior, while others suggest that his skills as a cameraman allowed him to blend into social settings, making it easier for him to approach and manipulate his victims. Additionally, there are theories that he may have been involved in other unsolved cases, potentially linking him to more than the confirmed five victims.
The Chilling Spree of Dean Carter: A Tale of Murder and Deception
Early Life and Troubled Beginnings
Dean Phillip Carter was born on August 30, 1955, in the remote town of Nome in the Territory of Alaska. His early years were marked by instability; born as the illegitimate child of a half-Eskimo woman, Carter was adopted by his stepfather, who was a prominent figure in the community, serving as police chief, fire chief, and justice of the peace. However, the path of delinquency seemed to beckon young Dean. By the age of 12, he was committed to a youth camp—a place he tried to escape from three times before being placed in a foster home.
Carter's formative years were marred by crime. He served time in Oregon for auto theft and in Alaska for burglary. During his incarceration in Alaska, he trained as a television cameraman and video technician. Upon his release in 1979, he found work at various television stations in Alaska. His colleague, Charlie Johnson, remembered Carter as a seemingly normal, attractive man who even worked on an award-winning documentary about Eskimo heritage.
Around this time, Carter married a local woman, and they had twin sons. But the marriage crumbled three years later, leaving Carter divorced and without custody of his children. He continued his work as a cameraman, briefly in Seattle, before sailing to San Diego in December 1983. There, he began a relationship with Susan Loyland, a bartender.
A Dangerous Charm
By February 25, 1984, Carter had made his way into the social scene of San Diego, where he met Cathleen Tiner and Janette Ann Cullins at a café in Pacific Beach. Carter was charming, buying them Harvey Wallbangers and exchanging phone numbers. On March 2, they all had dinner on a yacht, but by March 4, Tiner was declining his advances. Carter's persistence didn't wane; he called Tiner again on March 24, proposing a spontaneous marriage in Mexico, which she refused.
Carter's aggressive persistence also reached 18-year-old Polly Haisha, whom he met at a party. Initially, Carter was polite, but his demeanor turned irritated when Haisha repeatedly postponed meeting him. Eventually, his conversation veered towards insulting his ex-wife, prompting Haisha to end their interactions.
The Dark Descent
The night of March 25, 1984, marked the beginning of a terrifying spree. Carter broke into Susan Loyland's San Diego apartment. Armed with a knife, he raped Loyland's roommate, forced her into submission, robbed them, and left her tied up with her own pantyhose. The roommate managed to free herself and call the police, recounting her previous acquaintance with Carter.
Days later, on March 29, the horror continued in Ventura. Carter, his face concealed by a red bandana, invaded the apartment of 22-year-old Jennifer Rose Steward. For five hours, he subjected Steward to sexual assault, rape, and strangulation until she feigned empathy to escape. Steward had met Carter previously but had wisely kept her distance.
A String of Murders
April 12 was a day that revealed the extent of Carter's brutality. The bodies of Susan Lynn Knoll and Jillette Leonora Mills were discovered stacked in a closet in their Culver City apartment. Both had been sexually assaulted and strangled. Ronald C. Tulio, an acquaintance of both women and Bonnie Guthrie, was initially arrested but was in custody when Janette Cullins was believed to have been murdered.
That same day, Bonnie Ann Guthrie's body was found by her landlord. Like the others, she had been sexually assaulted and strangled. Her purse was found two days later in San Diego, linking Carter to the crime. Carter's connection to Knoll, Mills, and Guthrie was traced back to a bar in Santa Monica.
On April 14, Janette Anne Cullins's body was discovered hidden in her closet. Evidence of a break-in was clear from woodchips by the door. Cullins had met Carter two months prior and avoided his repeated attempts to contact her. Video footage later revealed Carter using Cullins's ATM card while wearing a sweater knitted by Guthrie. Her father found her car parked far from her apartment, and her wallet was discarded in Point Loma.
Another possible victim, Tok Chum Kim, was found on April 13. Like the others, she was strangled, and her belongings stolen. Her car was discovered near where Knoll and Mills were slain.
The Manhunt and Arrest
Law enforcement's net closed around Carter on April 17, when an Arizona highway patrol officer pulled him over for erratic driving in Mills's car. Inside, they found items belonging to his victims. Carter was arrested without incident, booked for DUI, making unsafe lane changes, and driving without a license.
Trials and Sentencing
Carter's trial began on July 16, 1989, in Los Angeles. He was convicted of the murders of Knoll, Mills, and Guthrie, in addition to two rapes, and sentenced to death by gas chamber. In Ventura, he was convicted of Cullins's murder, receiving another death sentence, and was found guilty of burglary and robbery. His attack on Susan Loyland's roommate earned him 56 years, and a separate sentence of over 21 years was added for the attack on Jennifer Rose Steward.
Life on Death Row
At San Quentin State Prison, Carter began an internet blog titled "Deadman Talking," where he shared his experiences on death row, carefully avoiding details of his crimes while proclaiming his innocence. Despite citing ineffective assistance of counsel, his sentence was upheld on December 26, 2019.
Sources
This narrative is based on the detailed account from Wikipedia: Dean Carter - Wikipedia.
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
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First Assault
Dean Carter breaks into Susan Loyland's home, rapes her roommate, and robs them.
Second Assault
Carter sexually assaults and rapes Jennifer Rose Steward in Ventura, California.
First Murders Discovered
Bodies of Susan Knoll and Jillette Mills found in Culver City, both victims of strangulation.
Third Murder Discovered
Bonnie Guthrie's body found in her apartment, also a victim of strangulation.
Fourth Murder Discovered
Janette Cullins' body found in her apartment, confirming Carter's pattern of murder.
Carter Arrested
Dean Carter is arrested in Arizona while driving a vehicle belonging to one of his victims.
First Conviction
Carter convicted of the murders of Knoll, Mills, and Guthrie, sentenced to death.
Additional Conviction
Carter convicted of Cullins' murder and receives another death sentence.
Appeal Denied
Carter's claims of ineffective assistance of counsel are rejected, upholding his death sentence.