The Missoula Mauler: The Untold Story of Wayne Nance

Introduction to a Hidden Predator

Wayne Nathan Nance was born on October 18, 1955, in Clinton, Montana. Nicknamed "The Missoula Mauler," he was linked posthumously to a series of brutal murders. His reign of terror across Montana stretched from 1974 until his death in 1986, leaving a trail of unsolved mysteries and shattered lives. Despite the mounting evidence against him, Nance was never formally charged or convicted, as his life ended during a violent altercation while committing a home invasion. This narrative unravels the chilling details of his life and crimes, pieced together from extensive investigations and forensic evidence.

Early Life and Troubling Signs

Nance grew up in a modest setting, the son of George Edwin Nance, a long-haul truck driver, and Charlene Mae Mackie, a waitress. His childhood in the outskirts of Milltown, Montana, painted a portrait of a gifted yet troubled youth. Known for his academic prowess, he was also recognized as a juvenile delinquent. Friends and classmates recounted tales of Nance's fascination with the macabre, including devil worship and self-branding with satanic symbols. He often boasted of a dark ambition—to commit murder before turning 19. After graduating from Sentinel High School in 1974, Nance joined the United States Navy, serving from 1974 to 1977. His military tenure ended with a general discharge due to misconduct, involving theft, possession of LSD, marijuana, and illegal weapons.

The Murders Begin: The 1970s

The first murder attributed to Nance occurred on April 11, 1974. Donna Lorraine Pounds, a 39-year-old woman, was brutally raped and murdered in her West Riverside, Montana, home. Nance, armed with a .22 caliber Luger rifle, invaded her residence and tied her with a white clothesline. He violated her before leading her to the basement, where he shot her five times in the head. Remarkably, despite eyewitness accounts placing Nance at the scene, and his familiarity with the Pounds family, evidence was deemed insufficient to charge him at the time. Years later, a search of Nance's home uncovered damning evidence linking him to the crime.

A Trail of Victims: The 1980s

Nance's suspected victim count grew, with significant cases including the disappearance and murder of Devonna Nelson and Marcella Cheri "Marci" Bachmann. Nelson, a 15-year-old runaway, was last seen in Seattle, Washington, in July 1978. Her decomposed body was found near Missoula in 1980, but identification took until 1985. Evidence suggested Nance's involvement, although it was never confirmed.

Bachmann's tragic story unfolded similarly. The 16-year-old runaway from Vancouver, Washington, met Nance, who provided her shelter. On December 24, 1984, her body was discovered buried in a shallow grave, two miles from Nance's home. Hair samples matching hers were found in his residence, solidifying Nance's culpability in her murder.

In September 1985, the skeletal remains of Janet Lee Lucas were found with two .32 caliber bullets in her skull. Although initially unidentified and believed to be of Asian descent, DNA profiling in 2021 revealed Lucas's identity. While Nance remains the prime suspect, definitive links to him have yet to be established.

The Shook Murders

On December 12, 1985, Nance committed one of his most heinous acts, the murder of Michael and Teresa Shook in Ravalli County, Montana. After storming into their home under the guise of "Conan the Barbarian," Nance shot Teresa and tied up Michael. He then raped and murdered Teresa, leaving their four children locked in a bedroom. Although he attempted to burn the house down, the fire failed to ignite, sparing the children's lives. Items stolen from the Shook home were later found in Nance's possession.

An Unraveling Mind

Despite being described as an "average guy" by his coworkers at Conlin's Furniture, Nance's behavior raised alarms. Female customers reported harassment following deliveries, and his fixation on female colleagues included taking unauthorized photos. His disturbing actions went as far as utilizing a peephole to spy on them, which he tried to blame on others.

The Final Confrontation

Nance's criminal career ended on September 3, 1986, during a botched attack on Douglas and Kristen Wells. Working at their furniture company, Nance attempted to murder them in their home. After attacking Doug and tying up both victims, he left Doug for dead and tried to assault Kristen. However, Doug managed to free himself, leading to a violent confrontation where Doug shot Nance. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Nance succumbed to his injuries the following day.

Conclusion

Wayne Nance's death marked the end of a chilling chapter in Montana's history. Investigations following his demise linked him to multiple unsolved murders, painting a picture of a cunning and ruthless predator. While his life ended without formal charges or trials, the evidence collected has provided some closure to the families of his victims.

Sources

• Wayne Nance (1955–1986) - Missoula County Sheriff Department
• Wetsch, Elizabeth (2005). "Nance, Wayne Nathan". Archived from the original on 22 April 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
• Associated Press. "Montana Authorities Seek Clues of Suspected Serial Killer". October 25, 1986. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
• Coston, John (1992). To Kill and Kill Again. Onyx Books. ISBN 978-0-451-40323-0.