Donna Perry (Serial Killer)
Female Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Spokane, Washington
TIME PERIOD
February 22–May 15, 1990
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Donna R. Perry, an American serial killer, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder in 2014 for the killings of Yolanda A. Sapp (26), Nickie I. Lowe (34), and Kathleen A. Brisbois (38) in 1990. The victims were discovered near the Spokane River, with Sapp's body found on February 22, Lowe's on March 25, and Brisbois' on May 15. Perry, who underwent gender-affirming surgery in 2000, was apprehended in March 2012 after a firearms possession conviction led to DNA evidence linking her to the murders, previously attributed to another serial killer. As of now, Perry is serving a life sentence at the Washington Corrections Center for Women following her conviction in 2017, where DNA and fingerprint evidence played a significant role in the prosecution's case.
Some believe that Donna Perry may have killed additional victims beyond the three for which she was convicted, with claims of having confessed to killing nine prostitutes while in prison. There is speculation that her gender identity and past experiences of abuse could have influenced her motivations for the murders. Additionally, some investigators initially thought the murders were linked to another serial killer, Robert Lee Yates, before identifying Perry as the perpetrator.
The Dual Identity of Donna Perry: A Chilling Tale of Murder and Controversy
In the shadowy world of American true crime, few cases intertwine gender identity and serial killing as intricately as the story of Donna R. Perry, born Douglas R. Perry. An American serial killer, Perry was charged with three counts of first-degree murder in 2014 for the slayings of three women in 1990. Her gender transition, completed in 2000, became a pivotal aspect of her defense, raising questions about identity and culpability.
Early Years and Troubled Path
Donna Perry's early life was marked by allegations of severe trauma. According to her attorney, Perry recounted being sexually abused by her father from the tender age of four until his death three years later. Such a tumultuous beginning set the stage for a life marred by criminality and violence.
Perry's criminal activities spanned decades. Beginning in 1974, her record included various charges. In 1987, she was charged with reckless endangerment, and by 1988, things took a darker turn. Perry was apprehended for possessing a pipe bomb, leading to the discovery of a staggering arsenal: 49 guns and 20,000 rounds of ammunition. The following year, she faced arrest again, this time for soliciting a prostitute. Her criminal career continued into the late 1990s when she served an 18-month jail sentence after being caught in Oregon's red-light district armed with a gun and knife. During this incarceration, Perry allegedly confessed to her cellmate about murdering nine prostitutes.
The Murders
The year 1990 became a harrowing period as Donna Perry embarked on a killing spree. Over four months, she shot and killed three women: Yolanda A. Sapp (26), Nickie I. Lowe (34), and Kathleen A. Brisbois (38). The bodies of these women were discovered in a chilling sequence—Sapp on February 22, Lowe on March 25, and Brisbois on May 15. Each victim was found naked, discarded near the Spokane River. For years, these murders were mistakenly attributed to Robert Lee Yates, another convicted serial killer.
The Investigation Unfolds
In March 2012, Perry's past crimes caught up with her when she was convicted of firearms possession. This conviction led to her DNA being entered into a national database. Astonishingly, it matched DNA evidence from the 1990 murders, bringing a breakthrough in what had become a cold case. In a 2012 affidavit, Perry revealed to police that she had undergone gender-affirmation surgery in Thailand in 2000, claiming it was a permanent measure to control her violent tendencies.
Trial and Imprisonment
Charged in 2014 with three counts of first-degree murder, Perry was initially set to stand trial in 2016. However, an ethics breach within the Spokane County Public Defender's Office led to the resignation of her attorneys, Kyle Zeller, Nathan Poston, and Brooke Hagara, delaying proceedings. The trial eventually commenced on June 9, 2017.
The prosecution built a robust case against Perry, anchored by DNA and fingerprint evidence linking her to the crimes. A controversial element of her defense was the assertion that it was Douglas Perry, her former identity, who committed the murders, not Donna. The prosecution, however, contended that Perry's gender transition was a calculated move to evade suspicion.
Despite efforts by her defense attorney, Pat Donahue, to argue that the DNA evidence merely placed Perry in the vicinity of the crimes, the jury was unconvinced. On July 24, 2017, Perry was sentenced to three life terms without the possibility of parole for aggravated first-degree murder. She now resides at the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor, Washington.
Media Portrayal
Donna Perry's case has captivated audiences and has been featured in multiple television shows, including "Inside the Mind of a Serial Killer," "Scene of the Crime," "21st Century Serial Killer," "Making a Serial Killer," and "Forensic Files II." Each of these programs delves into the complexities of her dual identity and the heinous acts she committed.
Sources
For a more detailed exploration of this case, you can view the original Wikipedia article here.
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First Victim Found
Yolanda A. Sapp's body discovered near Spokane River.
Second Victim Found
Nickie I. Lowe's body discovered near Spokane River.
Third Victim Found
Kathleen A. Brisbois's body discovered near Spokane River.
Apprehended
Donna Perry arrested for firearms possession; DNA linked to 1990 murders.
Murder Charges Filed
Perry charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
Trial Delayed
Trial postponed due to ethics breach in defense team.
Trial Begins
Trial for Donna Perry starts, focusing on DNA and fingerprint evidence.
Sentenced
Perry sentenced to three life terms without parole.
Donna R. Perry, an American serial killer, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder in 2014 for the killings of Yolanda A. Sapp (26), Nickie I. Lowe (34), and Kathleen A. Brisbois (38) in 1990. The victims were discovered near the Spokane River, with Sapp's body found on February 22, Lowe's on March 25, and Brisbois' on May 15. Perry, who underwent gender-affirming surgery in 2000, was apprehended in March 2012 after a firearms possession conviction led to DNA evidence linking her to the murders, previously attributed to another serial killer. As of now, Perry is serving a life sentence at the Washington Corrections Center for Women following her conviction in 2017, where DNA and fingerprint evidence played a significant role in the prosecution's case.
Some believe that Donna Perry may have killed additional victims beyond the three for which she was convicted, with claims of having confessed to killing nine prostitutes while in prison. There is speculation that her gender identity and past experiences of abuse could have influenced her motivations for the murders. Additionally, some investigators initially thought the murders were linked to another serial killer, Robert Lee Yates, before identifying Perry as the perpetrator.
The Dual Identity of Donna Perry: A Chilling Tale of Murder and Controversy
In the shadowy world of American true crime, few cases intertwine gender identity and serial killing as intricately as the story of Donna R. Perry, born Douglas R. Perry. An American serial killer, Perry was charged with three counts of first-degree murder in 2014 for the slayings of three women in 1990. Her gender transition, completed in 2000, became a pivotal aspect of her defense, raising questions about identity and culpability.
Early Years and Troubled Path
Donna Perry's early life was marked by allegations of severe trauma. According to her attorney, Perry recounted being sexually abused by her father from the tender age of four until his death three years later. Such a tumultuous beginning set the stage for a life marred by criminality and violence.
Perry's criminal activities spanned decades. Beginning in 1974, her record included various charges. In 1987, she was charged with reckless endangerment, and by 1988, things took a darker turn. Perry was apprehended for possessing a pipe bomb, leading to the discovery of a staggering arsenal: 49 guns and 20,000 rounds of ammunition. The following year, she faced arrest again, this time for soliciting a prostitute. Her criminal career continued into the late 1990s when she served an 18-month jail sentence after being caught in Oregon's red-light district armed with a gun and knife. During this incarceration, Perry allegedly confessed to her cellmate about murdering nine prostitutes.
The Murders
The year 1990 became a harrowing period as Donna Perry embarked on a killing spree. Over four months, she shot and killed three women: Yolanda A. Sapp (26), Nickie I. Lowe (34), and Kathleen A. Brisbois (38). The bodies of these women were discovered in a chilling sequence—Sapp on February 22, Lowe on March 25, and Brisbois on May 15. Each victim was found naked, discarded near the Spokane River. For years, these murders were mistakenly attributed to Robert Lee Yates, another convicted serial killer.
The Investigation Unfolds
In March 2012, Perry's past crimes caught up with her when she was convicted of firearms possession. This conviction led to her DNA being entered into a national database. Astonishingly, it matched DNA evidence from the 1990 murders, bringing a breakthrough in what had become a cold case. In a 2012 affidavit, Perry revealed to police that she had undergone gender-affirmation surgery in Thailand in 2000, claiming it was a permanent measure to control her violent tendencies.
Trial and Imprisonment
Charged in 2014 with three counts of first-degree murder, Perry was initially set to stand trial in 2016. However, an ethics breach within the Spokane County Public Defender's Office led to the resignation of her attorneys, Kyle Zeller, Nathan Poston, and Brooke Hagara, delaying proceedings. The trial eventually commenced on June 9, 2017.
The prosecution built a robust case against Perry, anchored by DNA and fingerprint evidence linking her to the crimes. A controversial element of her defense was the assertion that it was Douglas Perry, her former identity, who committed the murders, not Donna. The prosecution, however, contended that Perry's gender transition was a calculated move to evade suspicion.
Despite efforts by her defense attorney, Pat Donahue, to argue that the DNA evidence merely placed Perry in the vicinity of the crimes, the jury was unconvinced. On July 24, 2017, Perry was sentenced to three life terms without the possibility of parole for aggravated first-degree murder. She now resides at the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor, Washington.
Media Portrayal
Donna Perry's case has captivated audiences and has been featured in multiple television shows, including "Inside the Mind of a Serial Killer," "Scene of the Crime," "21st Century Serial Killer," "Making a Serial Killer," and "Forensic Files II." Each of these programs delves into the complexities of her dual identity and the heinous acts she committed.
Sources
For a more detailed exploration of this case, you can view the original Wikipedia article here.
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 Victim Found
Yolanda A. Sapp's body discovered near Spokane River.
Second Victim Found
Nickie I. Lowe's body discovered near Spokane River.
Third Victim Found
Kathleen A. Brisbois's body discovered near Spokane River.
Apprehended
Donna Perry arrested for firearms possession; DNA linked to 1990 murders.
Murder Charges Filed
Perry charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
Trial Delayed
Trial postponed due to ethics breach in defense team.
Trial Begins
Trial for Donna Perry starts, focusing on DNA and fingerprint evidence.
Sentenced
Perry sentenced to three life terms without parole.