Gary And Thaddeus Lewingdon
Ohio Serial Killer Brothers
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Ohio, United States
TIME PERIOD
1977-1978
VICTIMS
10 confirmed
Gary and Thaddeus Lewingdon, American siblings and serial killers, committed a series of ten murders across various Ohio counties between December 10, 1977, and December 1978, primarily motivated by robbery. Their first victims were Joyce Vermillion and Karen Dodrill, shot at a bar in Newark, Ohio, with the brothers using .22 caliber pistols, earning them the moniker "The .22 Caliber Killers." They were apprehended on December 8, 1978, and December 11, 1978, respectively, and subsequently sentenced to multiple life terms in prison in 1979. Significant evidence included ballistic matches linking the .22 caliber firearms to the crime scenes, and their brutal methods involved firing multiple shots at each victim, indicating a high level of violence. Gary Lewingdon died in custody on October 24, 2004, while Thaddeus Lewingdon passed away on April 16, 1989, in prison.
Investigators and the public theorize that the Lewingdon brothers' criminal activities were driven primarily by a need for financial gain through robbery. There is speculation that their military backgrounds may have contributed to their ability to commit such violent crimes without detection. Additionally, some believe that their close familial bond may have played a significant role in their decision to work together as a team in committing the murders.
The .22 Caliber Killers: The Lewingdon Brothers of Ohio
Sinister Beginnings
In a chilling saga spanning one year, Gary James Lewingdon and his brother Thaddeus Charles Lewingdon cemented their place in the annals of American crime history as notorious serial killers. Known infamously as "The .22 Caliber Killers," these Ohio siblings embarked on a ruthless killing spree that left ten innocent people dead between December 1977 and December 1978. Their primary motive was robbery, and their weapon of choice, a .22 caliber pistol, would become synonymous with their heinous acts. By 1979, justice caught up with them, and they were sentenced to multiple life terms in prison.
The Brothers Lewingdon: Early Lives
Born in Ohio, Thaddeus Charles Lewingdon came into the world on December 22, 1936. After completing his education, he graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Electronics and worked as a technical specialist at the Columbus Steel Drum Company. He was married and a father to three children, living a seemingly conventional life until turmoil struck.
Gary James Lewingdon, his younger brother, was born on February 14, 1940. After high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1958 and served during the early stages of the Vietnam War. Four years later, in 1962, he returned to Ohio to live with his mother. Over the next 15 years, Gary's life spiraled into a series of minor offenses, including petty theft and illegal possession of weapons. By 1977, Gary met a woman who would become his wife, but he still struggled financially. That same year, Thaddeus's marriage ended, leaving him in a fragile emotional state. It was during this tumultuous period that Gary convinced his brother to join him in committing robberies.
The Killing Spree
The Lewingdon brothers' spree began with heinous violence. On December 10, 1977, they targeted 38-year-old Joyce Vermillion and 33-year-old Karen Dodrill at a Newark bar. The absence of witnesses did little to deter them; they shot both women, with Dodrill succumbing to her injuries on her 34th birthday.
Their next brutal act took place on February 13, 1978, when the brothers invaded the home of 52-year-old nightclub owner Robert McCann in Franklin County. They showed no mercy, shooting McCann, his 77-year-old mother Dorothy, and his 26-year-old girlfriend, Christine Hardman, with multiple shots to the head.
On April 8, 1978, the duo struck again in Granville, Licking County, murdering 77-year-old Jenkins Jones and his four dogs before looting the residence. The brutalities continued with the slaying of 35-year-old priest Gerald Fields in Fairfield County on April 30.
The brothers' violence reached a peak on May 22, 1978, in northeast Columbus. They killed 47-year-old Jerry Martin, a vice president and general manager, and his wife Martha through the window of their home, taking all valuables with them. Ballistics later linked the bullets from these crimes to two .22 caliber pistols, confirming the presence of two killers.
As 1978 drew to a close, tensions ran high between the brothers. Thaddeus refused to partake in further crimes, prompting Gary, desperate for money, to act alone. On December 4, 1978, he murdered 56-year-old Joseph Annick for his credit card. Gary's downfall came swiftly; on December 8, he was apprehended while attempting to use Annick's stolen credit card. Under interrogation, Gary confessed, implicating his brother and leading to Thaddeus's arrest on December 11.
The Trial
The Lewingdon brothers faced charges of ten murders and aggravated theft. Initially, they pled innocence in January 1979. However, a search of their homes revealed damning evidence, including the murder weapons and stolen items identified by the victims' families. Forensic ballistics and fingerprint analysis further implicated them in the crimes.
In February, Thaddeus admitted to killing Vermillion, Dodrill, and Jones, alongside several thefts, leading to a life sentence. By April, a Franklin County court found him guilty of complicity in six additional murders, adding six more life sentences.
Gary, too, was found guilty of eight murders and several thefts, earning him a life sentence in mid-1979.
Aftermath
Prison life proved tumultuous for Gary Lewingdon. Exhibiting erratic behavior and suicidal tendencies, he was transferred to Lima State Hospital, where he attempted an escape in March 1982. The early 2000s saw his health decline due to cardiovascular diseases, culminating in his death on October 24, 2004.
Thaddeus Lewingdon succumbed to lung cancer on April 16, 1989, while incarcerated.
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First Murders Committed
Gary and Thaddeus Lewingdon shoot and rob Joyce Vermillion and Karen Dodrill at a bar.
Triple Murder in Franklin County
The brothers kill Robert McCann, his mother Dorothy, and girlfriend Christine Hardman during a robbery.
Priest Murdered
The Lewingdon brothers kill 35-year-old priest Gerald Fields in Fairfield County.
Final Murder Before Arrest
Gary Lewingdon kills Joseph Annick in a robbery, marking the last murder before their capture.
Gary Arrested
Gary Lewingdon is arrested while attempting to use a stolen credit card from Joseph Annick.
Thaddeus Arrested
Thaddeus Lewingdon is arrested following Gary's confession and cooperation with the investigation.
Charges Filed
Both brothers are charged with 10 counts of murder and aggravated theft.
Thaddeus Convicted
Thaddeus Lewingdon is found guilty of multiple murders and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Gary Convicted
Gary Lewingdon is found guilty of killing 8 people and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Gary and Thaddeus Lewingdon, American siblings and serial killers, committed a series of ten murders across various Ohio counties between December 10, 1977, and December 1978, primarily motivated by robbery. Their first victims were Joyce Vermillion and Karen Dodrill, shot at a bar in Newark, Ohio, with the brothers using .22 caliber pistols, earning them the moniker "The .22 Caliber Killers." They were apprehended on December 8, 1978, and December 11, 1978, respectively, and subsequently sentenced to multiple life terms in prison in 1979. Significant evidence included ballistic matches linking the .22 caliber firearms to the crime scenes, and their brutal methods involved firing multiple shots at each victim, indicating a high level of violence. Gary Lewingdon died in custody on October 24, 2004, while Thaddeus Lewingdon passed away on April 16, 1989, in prison.
Investigators and the public theorize that the Lewingdon brothers' criminal activities were driven primarily by a need for financial gain through robbery. There is speculation that their military backgrounds may have contributed to their ability to commit such violent crimes without detection. Additionally, some believe that their close familial bond may have played a significant role in their decision to work together as a team in committing the murders.
The .22 Caliber Killers: The Lewingdon Brothers of Ohio
Sinister Beginnings
In a chilling saga spanning one year, Gary James Lewingdon and his brother Thaddeus Charles Lewingdon cemented their place in the annals of American crime history as notorious serial killers. Known infamously as "The .22 Caliber Killers," these Ohio siblings embarked on a ruthless killing spree that left ten innocent people dead between December 1977 and December 1978. Their primary motive was robbery, and their weapon of choice, a .22 caliber pistol, would become synonymous with their heinous acts. By 1979, justice caught up with them, and they were sentenced to multiple life terms in prison.
The Brothers Lewingdon: Early Lives
Born in Ohio, Thaddeus Charles Lewingdon came into the world on December 22, 1936. After completing his education, he graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Electronics and worked as a technical specialist at the Columbus Steel Drum Company. He was married and a father to three children, living a seemingly conventional life until turmoil struck.
Gary James Lewingdon, his younger brother, was born on February 14, 1940. After high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1958 and served during the early stages of the Vietnam War. Four years later, in 1962, he returned to Ohio to live with his mother. Over the next 15 years, Gary's life spiraled into a series of minor offenses, including petty theft and illegal possession of weapons. By 1977, Gary met a woman who would become his wife, but he still struggled financially. That same year, Thaddeus's marriage ended, leaving him in a fragile emotional state. It was during this tumultuous period that Gary convinced his brother to join him in committing robberies.
The Killing Spree
The Lewingdon brothers' spree began with heinous violence. On December 10, 1977, they targeted 38-year-old Joyce Vermillion and 33-year-old Karen Dodrill at a Newark bar. The absence of witnesses did little to deter them; they shot both women, with Dodrill succumbing to her injuries on her 34th birthday.
Their next brutal act took place on February 13, 1978, when the brothers invaded the home of 52-year-old nightclub owner Robert McCann in Franklin County. They showed no mercy, shooting McCann, his 77-year-old mother Dorothy, and his 26-year-old girlfriend, Christine Hardman, with multiple shots to the head.
On April 8, 1978, the duo struck again in Granville, Licking County, murdering 77-year-old Jenkins Jones and his four dogs before looting the residence. The brutalities continued with the slaying of 35-year-old priest Gerald Fields in Fairfield County on April 30.
The brothers' violence reached a peak on May 22, 1978, in northeast Columbus. They killed 47-year-old Jerry Martin, a vice president and general manager, and his wife Martha through the window of their home, taking all valuables with them. Ballistics later linked the bullets from these crimes to two .22 caliber pistols, confirming the presence of two killers.
As 1978 drew to a close, tensions ran high between the brothers. Thaddeus refused to partake in further crimes, prompting Gary, desperate for money, to act alone. On December 4, 1978, he murdered 56-year-old Joseph Annick for his credit card. Gary's downfall came swiftly; on December 8, he was apprehended while attempting to use Annick's stolen credit card. Under interrogation, Gary confessed, implicating his brother and leading to Thaddeus's arrest on December 11.
The Trial
The Lewingdon brothers faced charges of ten murders and aggravated theft. Initially, they pled innocence in January 1979. However, a search of their homes revealed damning evidence, including the murder weapons and stolen items identified by the victims' families. Forensic ballistics and fingerprint analysis further implicated them in the crimes.
In February, Thaddeus admitted to killing Vermillion, Dodrill, and Jones, alongside several thefts, leading to a life sentence. By April, a Franklin County court found him guilty of complicity in six additional murders, adding six more life sentences.
Gary, too, was found guilty of eight murders and several thefts, earning him a life sentence in mid-1979.
Aftermath
Prison life proved tumultuous for Gary Lewingdon. Exhibiting erratic behavior and suicidal tendencies, he was transferred to Lima State Hospital, where he attempted an escape in March 1982. The early 2000s saw his health decline due to cardiovascular diseases, culminating in his death on October 24, 2004.
Thaddeus Lewingdon succumbed to lung cancer on April 16, 1989, while incarcerated.
Sources
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Join the discussion
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First Murders Committed
Gary and Thaddeus Lewingdon shoot and rob Joyce Vermillion and Karen Dodrill at a bar.
Triple Murder in Franklin County
The brothers kill Robert McCann, his mother Dorothy, and girlfriend Christine Hardman during a robbery.
Priest Murdered
The Lewingdon brothers kill 35-year-old priest Gerald Fields in Fairfield County.
Final Murder Before Arrest
Gary Lewingdon kills Joseph Annick in a robbery, marking the last murder before their capture.
Gary Arrested
Gary Lewingdon is arrested while attempting to use a stolen credit card from Joseph Annick.
Thaddeus Arrested
Thaddeus Lewingdon is arrested following Gary's confession and cooperation with the investigation.
Charges Filed
Both brothers are charged with 10 counts of murder and aggravated theft.
Thaddeus Convicted
Thaddeus Lewingdon is found guilty of multiple murders and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Gary Convicted
Gary Lewingdon is found guilty of killing 8 people and sentenced to life imprisonment.