Eugene Blake (Serial Killer)
Serial Killer in Ohio-West Virginia
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Ohio, United States
TIME PERIOD
1982-1984
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Eugene Blake, an American serial killer, was active in Ohio and West Virginia, committing a series of murders between 1982 and 1984 after being paroled from a life sentence for a previous murder in 1967. His known victims include Donna Jean Ball, who was murdered on January 16, 1967, and Mark Withers, whose murder occurred in 1982. Blake was apprehended in 1984 and subsequently convicted of three counts of murder, resulting in a life sentence with the possibility of parole. The case remains controversial due to public outcry over his release and subsequent crimes, with significant evidence including forensic links to the murders and witness testimonies. Blake is currently serving his sentence in a West Virginia correctional facility.
Eugene Blake is believed to have been a serial killer who, after being paroled for an earlier murder, committed additional homicides in Ohio and West Virginia. There is significant public outcry and speculation that he should have remained incarcerated for life due to the severity of his crimes and the risk he posed to society. Some locals express distrust in the parole system, fearing that it allowed a violent offender to reoffend.
The Dark Path of Eugene Blake: A True Crime Tale
A Troubled Beginning
Eugene Blake, born on February 11, 1945, in Huntington, West Virginia, would eventually become known for a chilling trail of violence spanning nearly two decades. His life of crime began in earnest after he was sentenced for the brutal murder of 18-year-old Donna Jean Ball in 1967. Before this, he had already faced legal troubles, having been arrested for burglary. But the events of January 16, 1967, marked a grim turning point in his life.
The Murder of Donna Jean Ball
On that fateful day, Donna Jean Ball, a young telephone operator for C&P Telephone, was driving along West Virginia Route 75 near Ceredo. Her journey was abruptly halted when a man in a 1958 Chevrolet forced her off the road. The assailant, later identified as Blake, demanded money. Despite Donna's compliance, he stabbed her eight times in the chest and face. Miraculously, Donna managed to flee the scene, only to collapse after alerting neighbors Kenny Ward and Dallas Campbell. The men hurried her to Cabell Huntington Hospital, but it was too late; Donna was pronounced dead on arrival.
The next day, Eugene Blake, then 21 and a truck driver, was apprehended and charged with her murder. The trial a year later laid bare the evidence against him, leading to a conviction and a life sentence without parole. Despite his attempts to appeal, the Supreme Court of Appeals upheld his conviction, and Blake found himself behind bars at the West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville.
A Model Inmate and a Temporary Freedom
In prison, Blake's behavior earned him the reputation of a model inmate. His good conduct even led to visits at the warden's house. In 1976, Governor Arch A. Moore Jr. commuted his life sentence to include parole eligibility, and by February 1979, Blake was a free man again. He relocated to Morgantown, where he violated his parole at least once but avoided arrest. By March 1982, he had moved to Wheeling and astonishingly secured a license to run a bar, despite his criminal record.
The Tragedy of Mark Withers
Only a week after settling in Wheeling, on March 19, 1982, Eugene Blake's violent tendencies resurfaced. At Gould Park in Bridgeport, Ohio, he encountered 21-year-old Mark Withers in a car with a 17-year-old girl. Blake's confrontation escalated quickly; after demanding money, he shot Withers, threw his body over a fence, and raped the girl. The young woman survived and provided a description to the police, but the case went cold. Investigators did collect semen samples from the assailant at the Martins Ferry hospital, a crucial piece of evidence for the future.
The Murder of Maryann Helmbright
On October 26, 1984, the body of 13-year-old Maryann Hope Helmbright was discovered in Osage, West Virginia. She had been raped and strangled, a tragic end to her young life. By June 1985, Blake faced indictment for her murder and two counts of statutory rape. Twelve years later, in 1997, Blake pleaded guilty to these charges, receiving a 15-years-to-life sentence, which he began serving at Huttonsville Correctional Center.
New Charges and Legal Battles
The passage of time did little to deter justice. In 2008, forensic advancements linked Blake's DNA to the crime scene of Mark Withers' murder. Extradited to Ohio, he faced prosecution for three counts of aggravated murder, with the death penalty on the table. In a bid to avoid execution, Blake pleaded guilty in 2010, securing a 20-years-to-life sentence. Under the sentencing guidelines, he could seek parole after serving 70% of his sentence.
The Battle for Parole
In May 2022, Eugene Blake's application for parole incited outrage from victims' families and prosecutors. Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan vehemently opposed his release, labeling Blake a "monster" for his violent history. The parole board rejected Blake's application, deferring his next opportunity until April 2032, leaving a community to grapple with the legacy of his crimes.
Sources
This narrative draws upon the detailed records and accounts available on Eugene Blake's Wikipedia page: Eugene Blake (serial killer).
Throughout his life, Eugene Blake's path was marred by violence and tragedy, leaving an indelible mark on the communities of West Virginia and Ohio. His story serves as a somber reminder of the enduring impact of crime on victims and their families.
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Murder of Donna Jean Ball
Eugene Blake stabs 18-year-old Donna Jean Ball, leading to her death.
Blake's Trial Begins
Eugene Blake's trial for the murder of Donna Jean Ball begins with strong evidence against him.
Blake Convicted
Eugene Blake is convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
Blake Paroled
Eugene Blake is paroled after serving time for the murder of Donna Jean Ball.
Murder of Mark Withers
Blake shoots 21-year-old Mark Withers and assaults a female companion.
Murder of Maryann Helmbright
The body of 13-year-old Maryann Helmbright is found, leading to Blake's indictment.
Blake Pleads Guilty
Eugene Blake pleads guilty to charges related to the murder of Maryann Helmbright.
DNA Links Blake to Withers
Eugene Blake is charged with the murder of Mark Withers after DNA evidence is found.
Blake Pleads Guilty Again
To avoid the death penalty, Blake pleads guilty to the murder of Mark Withers.
Parole Application
Eugene Blake applies for parole, prompting protests from victims' families.
Eugene Blake, an American serial killer, was active in Ohio and West Virginia, committing a series of murders between 1982 and 1984 after being paroled from a life sentence for a previous murder in 1967. His known victims include Donna Jean Ball, who was murdered on January 16, 1967, and Mark Withers, whose murder occurred in 1982. Blake was apprehended in 1984 and subsequently convicted of three counts of murder, resulting in a life sentence with the possibility of parole. The case remains controversial due to public outcry over his release and subsequent crimes, with significant evidence including forensic links to the murders and witness testimonies. Blake is currently serving his sentence in a West Virginia correctional facility.
Eugene Blake is believed to have been a serial killer who, after being paroled for an earlier murder, committed additional homicides in Ohio and West Virginia. There is significant public outcry and speculation that he should have remained incarcerated for life due to the severity of his crimes and the risk he posed to society. Some locals express distrust in the parole system, fearing that it allowed a violent offender to reoffend.
The Dark Path of Eugene Blake: A True Crime Tale
A Troubled Beginning
Eugene Blake, born on February 11, 1945, in Huntington, West Virginia, would eventually become known for a chilling trail of violence spanning nearly two decades. His life of crime began in earnest after he was sentenced for the brutal murder of 18-year-old Donna Jean Ball in 1967. Before this, he had already faced legal troubles, having been arrested for burglary. But the events of January 16, 1967, marked a grim turning point in his life.
The Murder of Donna Jean Ball
On that fateful day, Donna Jean Ball, a young telephone operator for C&P Telephone, was driving along West Virginia Route 75 near Ceredo. Her journey was abruptly halted when a man in a 1958 Chevrolet forced her off the road. The assailant, later identified as Blake, demanded money. Despite Donna's compliance, he stabbed her eight times in the chest and face. Miraculously, Donna managed to flee the scene, only to collapse after alerting neighbors Kenny Ward and Dallas Campbell. The men hurried her to Cabell Huntington Hospital, but it was too late; Donna was pronounced dead on arrival.
The next day, Eugene Blake, then 21 and a truck driver, was apprehended and charged with her murder. The trial a year later laid bare the evidence against him, leading to a conviction and a life sentence without parole. Despite his attempts to appeal, the Supreme Court of Appeals upheld his conviction, and Blake found himself behind bars at the West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville.
A Model Inmate and a Temporary Freedom
In prison, Blake's behavior earned him the reputation of a model inmate. His good conduct even led to visits at the warden's house. In 1976, Governor Arch A. Moore Jr. commuted his life sentence to include parole eligibility, and by February 1979, Blake was a free man again. He relocated to Morgantown, where he violated his parole at least once but avoided arrest. By March 1982, he had moved to Wheeling and astonishingly secured a license to run a bar, despite his criminal record.
The Tragedy of Mark Withers
Only a week after settling in Wheeling, on March 19, 1982, Eugene Blake's violent tendencies resurfaced. At Gould Park in Bridgeport, Ohio, he encountered 21-year-old Mark Withers in a car with a 17-year-old girl. Blake's confrontation escalated quickly; after demanding money, he shot Withers, threw his body over a fence, and raped the girl. The young woman survived and provided a description to the police, but the case went cold. Investigators did collect semen samples from the assailant at the Martins Ferry hospital, a crucial piece of evidence for the future.
The Murder of Maryann Helmbright
On October 26, 1984, the body of 13-year-old Maryann Hope Helmbright was discovered in Osage, West Virginia. She had been raped and strangled, a tragic end to her young life. By June 1985, Blake faced indictment for her murder and two counts of statutory rape. Twelve years later, in 1997, Blake pleaded guilty to these charges, receiving a 15-years-to-life sentence, which he began serving at Huttonsville Correctional Center.
New Charges and Legal Battles
The passage of time did little to deter justice. In 2008, forensic advancements linked Blake's DNA to the crime scene of Mark Withers' murder. Extradited to Ohio, he faced prosecution for three counts of aggravated murder, with the death penalty on the table. In a bid to avoid execution, Blake pleaded guilty in 2010, securing a 20-years-to-life sentence. Under the sentencing guidelines, he could seek parole after serving 70% of his sentence.
The Battle for Parole
In May 2022, Eugene Blake's application for parole incited outrage from victims' families and prosecutors. Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan vehemently opposed his release, labeling Blake a "monster" for his violent history. The parole board rejected Blake's application, deferring his next opportunity until April 2032, leaving a community to grapple with the legacy of his crimes.
Sources
This narrative draws upon the detailed records and accounts available on Eugene Blake's Wikipedia page: Eugene Blake (serial killer).
Throughout his life, Eugene Blake's path was marred by violence and tragedy, leaving an indelible mark on the communities of West Virginia and Ohio. His story serves as a somber reminder of the enduring impact of crime on victims and their families.
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...
Murder of Donna Jean Ball
Eugene Blake stabs 18-year-old Donna Jean Ball, leading to her death.
Blake's Trial Begins
Eugene Blake's trial for the murder of Donna Jean Ball begins with strong evidence against him.
Blake Convicted
Eugene Blake is convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
Blake Paroled
Eugene Blake is paroled after serving time for the murder of Donna Jean Ball.
Murder of Mark Withers
Blake shoots 21-year-old Mark Withers and assaults a female companion.
Murder of Maryann Helmbright
The body of 13-year-old Maryann Helmbright is found, leading to Blake's indictment.
Blake Pleads Guilty
Eugene Blake pleads guilty to charges related to the murder of Maryann Helmbright.
DNA Links Blake to Withers
Eugene Blake is charged with the murder of Mark Withers after DNA evidence is found.
Blake Pleads Guilty Again
To avoid the death penalty, Blake pleads guilty to the murder of Mark Withers.
Parole Application
Eugene Blake applies for parole, prompting protests from victims' families.