Dorothea Puente
Elderly Murder Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Sacramento, California
TIME PERIOD
1948-1988
VICTIMS
9 confirmed
In the 1980s, Dorothea Puente, an American serial killer, operated a boarding house in Sacramento, California, where she murdered at least nine elderly and mentally disabled residents to cash their Social Security checks. The crimes occurred over a span from 1948 to 1988, with Puente being apprehended on November 11, 1988. She was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, while the jury was hung on six additional counts. Significant evidence included the discovery of human remains buried in her backyard, which led to her notoriety as the "Death House Landlady." Puente died in custody on March 27, 2011, at the age of 82.
Dorothea Puente is believed to have targeted vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly and mentally disabled, to exploit them for their Social Security benefits. Some speculate that her troubled upbringing and history of abuse contributed to her criminal behavior, suggesting a psychological motive rooted in her past. Additionally, there are theories that she may have had accomplices or received help in burying the bodies of her victims, as the scale of her crimes raises questions about how she managed to conceal them alone.
The Sinister Tale of Dorothea Puente: Death House Landlady
A Troubled Beginning
Born into a tumultuous world on January 9, 1929, in Redlands, California, Dorothea Helen Gray would become the infamous serial killer known as the "Death House Landlady." Her parents, Trudy Mae and Jesse James Gray, were plagued by alcoholism, casting a shadow over her early years. Her father’s threats of suicide and his eventual death from tuberculosis in 1937 left young Dorothea vulnerable. Following this, her mother lost custody of her children and died in a motorcycle accident by the end of 1938. These tragic events sent Dorothea and her siblings into an orphanage where she endured sexual abuse.
At 16, seeking stability, she married Fred McFaul, a soldier returning from World War II. Their union produced two daughters between 1946 and 1948, but neither remained with her; one was sent to live with relatives, and the other was put up for adoption. A miscarriage added to her string of personal losses. In 1948, her life took a criminal turn when she was arrested in Riverside for forging checks. This crime led to a four-month jail sentence and three years of probation. Shortly after her release, her husband left her, marking the start of a series of failed relationships.
In 1952, she married Axel Bren Johansson in San Francisco, adopting a new persona—Teya Singoalla Neyaarda, a fabricated identity claiming Egyptian and Israeli roots. Their marriage was fraught with infidelity and financial troubles. By 1960, Puente was caught operating a brothel under the guise of a bookkeeping firm, leading to another brief imprisonment. Diagnosed with a pathological lying disorder and an unstable personality, her criminal activities continued, even as she appeared to embrace a devout Christian persona, offering refuge to the needy.
After her divorce from Johansson, she married Roberto Jose Puente in 1968. This marriage, too, was turbulent and ended without finalization until 1973, though she continued using his surname. Her next marriage to Pedro Angel Montalvo ended abruptly, just a week later.
The Boarding House: A House of Horrors
Dorothea Puente's boarding house, located at 15th and F Streets in Sacramento, became the setting for her most heinous crimes. She cultivated an image of a benevolent caregiver, helping the destitute secure Social Security benefits. However, beneath this facade lay a sinister operation. Puente cashed checks illegally and funded her lifestyle through deceit and murder.
On January 16, 1982, Malcolm McKenzie fell victim to Puente’s treachery. After drugging him, she stole his valuables. Her first known murder occurred with Ruth Munroe, who died from a massive codeine overdose under suspicious circumstances. Though initially ruled undetermined, it later was classified as a homicide.
Further victims of theft included Dorothy Osborne, who discovered missing items after a visit from Puente. Convicted in July 1982 for grand theft, Puente served a prison sentence where she began corresponding with Everson Theodore Gillmouth. Upon her release, she crafted a plan that ultimately led to Gillmouth’s death. His body was found in a box along the Sacramento River, but not identified until December 1998. She had continued cashing his checks, forging his signature to maintain the ruse of his life.
The string of mysterious deaths continued with Betty Mae Palmer, Leona Carpenter, James Gallop, and others whose bodies were unearthed in Puente's yard. Each bore signs of drug overdoses, often involving substances like flurazepam and amitriptyline. Puente’s manipulative nature was evident in her forgeries and deceitful communication with families of her victims, maintaining the illusion of life while siphoning their benefits.
The Investigation and Arrest
The web of deception began unraveling in November 1988, when social workers investigating the disappearance of Bert Montoya became suspicious. A former tenant, John Sharp, secretly alerted police to Puente’s coercive tactics. During a search of her property, investigators unearthed several bodies, each a testament to her macabre crimes.
Despite the gruesome discoveries, Puente initially evaded capture. It wasn’t until November 16, 1988, following an all-points bulletin, that she was apprehended in Los Angeles, after being recognized in a bar.
Trial and Legacy
Puente’s trial captivated the nation. Convicted of three murders, with the jury deadlocked on six others, she was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. Her crimes left an indelible mark on Sacramento's history, and she remained a notorious figure until her death in prison on March 27, 2011.
Dorothea Puente's story is a chilling reminder of how appearances can be deceiving and the depths of human depravity. Her boarding house, once a promise of refuge, became a house of horrors, forever cementing her legacy as the "Death House Landlady."
Sources
For a comprehensive view of Dorothea Puente's life and crimes, visit the original Wikipedia article.
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Arrest of Dorothea Puente
Dorothea Puente is arrested after police discover bodies in her yard.
All-Points Bulletin Issued
An all-points bulletin is issued for Puente after she slips away from police.
Puente Captured
Puente is captured at a motel in Los Angeles using the alias Donna Johansen.
Charges Filed
Puente is charged with nine counts of murder, qualifying for the death penalty.
Trial Ordered
A judge rules there is ample evidence to send Puente to trial for murder.
Conviction
Puente is convicted of three counts of murder: Benjamin Fink, Leona Carpenter, and Dorothy Miller.
Sentencing
Puente is sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Death of Dorothea Puente
Dorothea Puente dies in prison from natural causes at the age of 82.
In the 1980s, Dorothea Puente, an American serial killer, operated a boarding house in Sacramento, California, where she murdered at least nine elderly and mentally disabled residents to cash their Social Security checks. The crimes occurred over a span from 1948 to 1988, with Puente being apprehended on November 11, 1988. She was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, while the jury was hung on six additional counts. Significant evidence included the discovery of human remains buried in her backyard, which led to her notoriety as the "Death House Landlady." Puente died in custody on March 27, 2011, at the age of 82.
Dorothea Puente is believed to have targeted vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly and mentally disabled, to exploit them for their Social Security benefits. Some speculate that her troubled upbringing and history of abuse contributed to her criminal behavior, suggesting a psychological motive rooted in her past. Additionally, there are theories that she may have had accomplices or received help in burying the bodies of her victims, as the scale of her crimes raises questions about how she managed to conceal them alone.
The Sinister Tale of Dorothea Puente: Death House Landlady
A Troubled Beginning
Born into a tumultuous world on January 9, 1929, in Redlands, California, Dorothea Helen Gray would become the infamous serial killer known as the "Death House Landlady." Her parents, Trudy Mae and Jesse James Gray, were plagued by alcoholism, casting a shadow over her early years. Her father’s threats of suicide and his eventual death from tuberculosis in 1937 left young Dorothea vulnerable. Following this, her mother lost custody of her children and died in a motorcycle accident by the end of 1938. These tragic events sent Dorothea and her siblings into an orphanage where she endured sexual abuse.
At 16, seeking stability, she married Fred McFaul, a soldier returning from World War II. Their union produced two daughters between 1946 and 1948, but neither remained with her; one was sent to live with relatives, and the other was put up for adoption. A miscarriage added to her string of personal losses. In 1948, her life took a criminal turn when she was arrested in Riverside for forging checks. This crime led to a four-month jail sentence and three years of probation. Shortly after her release, her husband left her, marking the start of a series of failed relationships.
In 1952, she married Axel Bren Johansson in San Francisco, adopting a new persona—Teya Singoalla Neyaarda, a fabricated identity claiming Egyptian and Israeli roots. Their marriage was fraught with infidelity and financial troubles. By 1960, Puente was caught operating a brothel under the guise of a bookkeeping firm, leading to another brief imprisonment. Diagnosed with a pathological lying disorder and an unstable personality, her criminal activities continued, even as she appeared to embrace a devout Christian persona, offering refuge to the needy.
After her divorce from Johansson, she married Roberto Jose Puente in 1968. This marriage, too, was turbulent and ended without finalization until 1973, though she continued using his surname. Her next marriage to Pedro Angel Montalvo ended abruptly, just a week later.
The Boarding House: A House of Horrors
Dorothea Puente's boarding house, located at 15th and F Streets in Sacramento, became the setting for her most heinous crimes. She cultivated an image of a benevolent caregiver, helping the destitute secure Social Security benefits. However, beneath this facade lay a sinister operation. Puente cashed checks illegally and funded her lifestyle through deceit and murder.
On January 16, 1982, Malcolm McKenzie fell victim to Puente’s treachery. After drugging him, she stole his valuables. Her first known murder occurred with Ruth Munroe, who died from a massive codeine overdose under suspicious circumstances. Though initially ruled undetermined, it later was classified as a homicide.
Further victims of theft included Dorothy Osborne, who discovered missing items after a visit from Puente. Convicted in July 1982 for grand theft, Puente served a prison sentence where she began corresponding with Everson Theodore Gillmouth. Upon her release, she crafted a plan that ultimately led to Gillmouth’s death. His body was found in a box along the Sacramento River, but not identified until December 1998. She had continued cashing his checks, forging his signature to maintain the ruse of his life.
The string of mysterious deaths continued with Betty Mae Palmer, Leona Carpenter, James Gallop, and others whose bodies were unearthed in Puente's yard. Each bore signs of drug overdoses, often involving substances like flurazepam and amitriptyline. Puente’s manipulative nature was evident in her forgeries and deceitful communication with families of her victims, maintaining the illusion of life while siphoning their benefits.
The Investigation and Arrest
The web of deception began unraveling in November 1988, when social workers investigating the disappearance of Bert Montoya became suspicious. A former tenant, John Sharp, secretly alerted police to Puente’s coercive tactics. During a search of her property, investigators unearthed several bodies, each a testament to her macabre crimes.
Despite the gruesome discoveries, Puente initially evaded capture. It wasn’t until November 16, 1988, following an all-points bulletin, that she was apprehended in Los Angeles, after being recognized in a bar.
Trial and Legacy
Puente’s trial captivated the nation. Convicted of three murders, with the jury deadlocked on six others, she was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. Her crimes left an indelible mark on Sacramento's history, and she remained a notorious figure until her death in prison on March 27, 2011.
Dorothea Puente's story is a chilling reminder of how appearances can be deceiving and the depths of human depravity. Her boarding house, once a promise of refuge, became a house of horrors, forever cementing her legacy as the "Death House Landlady."
Sources
For a comprehensive view of Dorothea Puente's life and crimes, visit the original Wikipedia article.
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...
Arrest of Dorothea Puente
Dorothea Puente is arrested after police discover bodies in her yard.
All-Points Bulletin Issued
An all-points bulletin is issued for Puente after she slips away from police.
Puente Captured
Puente is captured at a motel in Los Angeles using the alias Donna Johansen.
Charges Filed
Puente is charged with nine counts of murder, qualifying for the death penalty.
Trial Ordered
A judge rules there is ample evidence to send Puente to trial for murder.
Conviction
Puente is convicted of three counts of murder: Benjamin Fink, Leona Carpenter, and Dorothy Miller.
Sentencing
Puente is sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Death of Dorothea Puente
Dorothea Puente dies in prison from natural causes at the age of 82.