Eric Leonard (Murderer)
Spree Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Sacramento, California
TIME PERIOD
February 12–19, 1991
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
Eric Royce Leonard, known as the "Thrill Killer," committed a series of murders between February 12 and February 19, 1991, in Sacramento, California, resulting in the deaths of six individuals during two separate robberies. On February 12, he killed Quik Stop employees Zeid Obeid and Stephen Anderson, along with customer Thor Johnson. A week later, on February 19, he murdered Round Table Pizza employees Sarah Crook, Kyle Reynolds, and Andrea Coladangelo. Leonard was arrested on June 6, 1991, after investigators linked him to the crimes through ballistics evidence from a .25-caliber Beretta pistol registered to his father and his proximity to the crime scenes. He was convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances for all six counts on June 13, 1996, and sentenced to death, a decision upheld by the California Supreme Court in May 2007.
Many believe Eric Leonard's motivation for the murders was the thrill of the act itself, as he was dubbed the "Thrill Killer." Some speculate that his background and upbringing may have contributed to his violent tendencies, while others suggest that his choice of victims—employees and customers in convenience stores and restaurants—indicates a desire for easy targets during robberies. There is also discussion about whether Leonard's actions were influenced by a psychological disorder or a desire for notoriety.
The Chilling Spree of Eric Leonard: The Thrill Killer
The Crimes
In the waning winter days of 1991, the city of Sacramento was rocked by a chilling spree of violence that would leave six people dead and a community gripped by fear. Eric Royce Leonard, a man who would earn the haunting moniker "The Thrill Killer," embarked on a murderous rampage that spanned a mere week in February. Born in 1969 or 1970, Leonard's age at the time of these heinous acts was between 21 and 22, and his actions would etch his name into the dark annals of American crime history.
The first blood was spilled on February 12, 1991, when Leonard targeted a Quik Stop convenience store. On this fateful day, three lives were brutally cut short. Zeid Obeid and Stephen Anderson, both employees, along with Thor Johnson, an unfortunate customer caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, were mercilessly shot to death. The weapon of choice, a .25-caliber Beretta pistol, would later prove crucial in linking Leonard to the crimes.
A week later, on February 19, Leonard struck again, this time at a Round Table Pizza. In a chilling echo of his earlier crime, he executed three more victims—Sarah Crook, Kyle Reynolds, and Andrea Coladangelo—all dedicated employees of the establishment. The brazen nature of these robberies-cum-murders sent shockwaves through Sacramento, as law enforcement scrambled to piece together the identity of the cold-blooded killer.
The Hunt and Capture
For several months, Leonard eluded capture, his whereabouts a mystery. But investigators, undeterred, painstakingly pursued every lead. The breakthrough came on June 6, 1991, when law enforcement finally closed in on Leonard. His proximity to both crime scenes raised suspicions, and ballistics tests confirmed the chilling truth: the deadly Beretta was registered to Leonard’s father, cementing his link to the murders.
The Aftermath
The wheels of justice turned steadily, and on June 13, 1996, Eric Leonard faced the full weight of the law. Convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances for each of his six victims, Leonard was sentenced to death. Despite the gravity of his sentence, the legal battle continued as Leonard's case ascended to the California Supreme Court. In May 2007, the court reaffirmed the death penalty, ensuring that Leonard would pay the ultimate price for his crimes.
The Legacy
Eric Leonard's spree left an indelible mark on Sacramento and served as a grim reminder of the potential for violence that lurks in the shadows of everyday life. His moniker, "The Thrill Killer," speaks to the senseless brutality of his acts, a chilling testament to the depths of human depravity. As of today, Leonard remains on death row, a cautionary tale of crime and punishment.
See Also
- Capital punishment in California
- List of death row inmates in California
Sources
- Egelko, Bob (May 17, 2007). "Death sentence upheld for Sacramento 'Thrill Killer'". SFGate. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
- "People v. Leonard". scocal.stanford.edu. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
- Wingo, Melanie (October 5, 2022). "History shows: When serial cases get lots of attention, it makes a difference". KCRA-TV. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
- Chrystal, Chris (June 7, 1991). "Thrill killer' motive sought". United Press International. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
- "Suspect Arrested in 'Thrill Killings' of 6". Los Angeles Times. June 7, 1991. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
- "People v. Leonard (2002)". Justia.
- Egelko, Bob (May 18, 2007). "SAN FRANCISCO / Death sentence for 'Thrill Killer' upheld". SFGate. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
For more on this harrowing case, visit the Wikipedia page.
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First Murders
Eric Leonard robs and kills three individuals at Quik Stop.
Second Murders
Leonard robs and kills three employees at Round Table Pizza.
Arrest of Eric Leonard
Leonard is arrested after investigators link him to the murders.
Conviction
Eric Leonard is convicted of six counts of first-degree murder.
Death Sentence Upheld
California Supreme Court upholds Leonard's death sentence.
Eric Royce Leonard, known as the "Thrill Killer," committed a series of murders between February 12 and February 19, 1991, in Sacramento, California, resulting in the deaths of six individuals during two separate robberies. On February 12, he killed Quik Stop employees Zeid Obeid and Stephen Anderson, along with customer Thor Johnson. A week later, on February 19, he murdered Round Table Pizza employees Sarah Crook, Kyle Reynolds, and Andrea Coladangelo. Leonard was arrested on June 6, 1991, after investigators linked him to the crimes through ballistics evidence from a .25-caliber Beretta pistol registered to his father and his proximity to the crime scenes. He was convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances for all six counts on June 13, 1996, and sentenced to death, a decision upheld by the California Supreme Court in May 2007.
Many believe Eric Leonard's motivation for the murders was the thrill of the act itself, as he was dubbed the "Thrill Killer." Some speculate that his background and upbringing may have contributed to his violent tendencies, while others suggest that his choice of victims—employees and customers in convenience stores and restaurants—indicates a desire for easy targets during robberies. There is also discussion about whether Leonard's actions were influenced by a psychological disorder or a desire for notoriety.
The Chilling Spree of Eric Leonard: The Thrill Killer
The Crimes
In the waning winter days of 1991, the city of Sacramento was rocked by a chilling spree of violence that would leave six people dead and a community gripped by fear. Eric Royce Leonard, a man who would earn the haunting moniker "The Thrill Killer," embarked on a murderous rampage that spanned a mere week in February. Born in 1969 or 1970, Leonard's age at the time of these heinous acts was between 21 and 22, and his actions would etch his name into the dark annals of American crime history.
The first blood was spilled on February 12, 1991, when Leonard targeted a Quik Stop convenience store. On this fateful day, three lives were brutally cut short. Zeid Obeid and Stephen Anderson, both employees, along with Thor Johnson, an unfortunate customer caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, were mercilessly shot to death. The weapon of choice, a .25-caliber Beretta pistol, would later prove crucial in linking Leonard to the crimes.
A week later, on February 19, Leonard struck again, this time at a Round Table Pizza. In a chilling echo of his earlier crime, he executed three more victims—Sarah Crook, Kyle Reynolds, and Andrea Coladangelo—all dedicated employees of the establishment. The brazen nature of these robberies-cum-murders sent shockwaves through Sacramento, as law enforcement scrambled to piece together the identity of the cold-blooded killer.
The Hunt and Capture
For several months, Leonard eluded capture, his whereabouts a mystery. But investigators, undeterred, painstakingly pursued every lead. The breakthrough came on June 6, 1991, when law enforcement finally closed in on Leonard. His proximity to both crime scenes raised suspicions, and ballistics tests confirmed the chilling truth: the deadly Beretta was registered to Leonard’s father, cementing his link to the murders.
The Aftermath
The wheels of justice turned steadily, and on June 13, 1996, Eric Leonard faced the full weight of the law. Convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances for each of his six victims, Leonard was sentenced to death. Despite the gravity of his sentence, the legal battle continued as Leonard's case ascended to the California Supreme Court. In May 2007, the court reaffirmed the death penalty, ensuring that Leonard would pay the ultimate price for his crimes.
The Legacy
Eric Leonard's spree left an indelible mark on Sacramento and served as a grim reminder of the potential for violence that lurks in the shadows of everyday life. His moniker, "The Thrill Killer," speaks to the senseless brutality of his acts, a chilling testament to the depths of human depravity. As of today, Leonard remains on death row, a cautionary tale of crime and punishment.
See Also
- Capital punishment in California
- List of death row inmates in California
Sources
- Egelko, Bob (May 17, 2007). "Death sentence upheld for Sacramento 'Thrill Killer'". SFGate. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
- "People v. Leonard". scocal.stanford.edu. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
- Wingo, Melanie (October 5, 2022). "History shows: When serial cases get lots of attention, it makes a difference". KCRA-TV. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
- Chrystal, Chris (June 7, 1991). "Thrill killer' motive sought". United Press International. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
- "Suspect Arrested in 'Thrill Killings' of 6". Los Angeles Times. June 7, 1991. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
- "People v. Leonard (2002)". Justia.
- Egelko, Bob (May 18, 2007). "SAN FRANCISCO / Death sentence for 'Thrill Killer' upheld". SFGate. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
For more on this harrowing case, visit the Wikipedia page.
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 Murders
Eric Leonard robs and kills three individuals at Quik Stop.
Second Murders
Leonard robs and kills three employees at Round Table Pizza.
Arrest of Eric Leonard
Leonard is arrested after investigators link him to the murders.
Conviction
Eric Leonard is convicted of six counts of first-degree murder.
Death Sentence Upheld
California Supreme Court upholds Leonard's death sentence.