Gary Evans (Serial Killer)
New York Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Troy, New York
TIME PERIOD
February 1985 – October 1997
VICTIMS
5 confirmed
Gary Charles Evans, an American serial killer, was active in the Capital District of New York from February 1985 to October 1997, during which he was linked to five confirmed murders. Evans, born on October 7, 1954, in Troy, New York, had a criminal history that included theft and multiple escapes from custody. He was apprehended on May 27, 1998, but died by suicide on August 14, 1998, by jumping from the Menands Bridge before he could stand trial. Investigators found significant evidence linking him to the murders, including DNA samples and eyewitness accounts, but the case remains officially unresolved due to his death.
Gary Evans is believed to have had a troubled upbringing that contributed to his criminal behavior, with speculation that his experiences of abuse and trauma influenced his later actions as a serial killer. Some theorize that his obsession with antiques and art may have been a reflection of his desire for beauty and stability, contrasting with his chaotic childhood. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that his multiple escapes from custody were indicative of a calculated and manipulative personality, further complicating the investigation into his crimes.
The Life and Crimes of Gary Charles Evans
A Troubled Beginning
Gary Charles Evans was born on October 7, 1954, in Troy, New York, into a world of turmoil. His childhood was marked by the violent chaos of an abusive father, Roy Evans, and the desperate cries for help from his mother, Flora Mae Evans, who attempted suicide multiple times. In this volatile environment, Gary and his sister, Robbie, struggled to find normalcy. It was amidst this domestic unrest that Gary claimed he was raped by his father at the age of eight, a trauma that would haunt him for the rest of his life.
Even as a child, Gary was drawn to the allure of valuable objects. At just eight years old, he was caught stealing jewelry worth $1,000. Throughout his school years, he frequently pilfered small items, such as books and comics, earning him an early reputation as a thief. The family disbanded in 1968 when his parents divorced, prompting a move to Cohoes with his mother, where Gary attended the local high school. The turbulence continued with his mother’s marriages and divorces, exacerbated by her struggles with alcohol and her eventual coming out as a lesbian in 1971.
Gary's life took a turn when he was arrested in 1970 for breaking and entering, resulting in a three-month stint in a juvenile detention center. Upon his release, he left his mother's home, dropped out of school, and wandered as a vagrant. By the mid-1970s, Gary returned to Troy, sharing an apartment and embarking on a life of crime alongside his childhood friends, Michael Falco and Timothy "Tim" Rysedorph.
The Descent into Crime
Gary’s criminal career escalated rapidly. On January 13, 1977, he was arrested in Lake Placid for trespassing and theft, landing him a four-year sentence at the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora. During his incarceration, his father succumbed to throat cancer, a family tragedy that did little to deter his criminal ambitions.
Transferred to the Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Comstock, Gary was paroled on March 21, 1980. He returned to Troy, where he and his accomplices used their apartment as a base for their criminal enterprises, storing stolen goods from their frequent heists. However, Gary's luck ran out in June 1980 when he was arrested and jailed at the Old Rensselaer County Jail. His brief escape with the assistance of Hells Angels members ended five hours later with his recapture and return to Clinton Correctional Facility.
A brawl in 1982 led to his transfer to the notorious Attica Correctional Facility, where he remained until his release in December 1982. Once free, Gary resumed his life of crime with Falco, leading to their relocation to Florida. Tragedy struck again with the death of his mother in an accident, prompting their return to New York and the resumption of their illicit activities with Rysedorph.
In 1985, with Rysedorph distancing himself, Gary and Falco robbed an antique collector's apartment in East Greenbush, netting $15,000. This was followed by the theft and sale of a drug traffickers’ car for $12,000. Arrested in Cohoes, Gary struck a plea deal, promising to reform. But by July, he committed his first murder.
Gary constructed an improvised silencer for his pistol and, fueled by revenge, killed Falco, dismembering his body with a chainsaw. Rysedorph, falsely blaming Falco for his own misdeeds, aided Gary in disposing of the remains in Lake Worth Corridor, Florida. Six weeks later, the duo returned to New York, where Gary's arrest for parole violation resulted in a four-year sentence at Sing Sing.
While incarcerated, Gary befriended the infamous serial killer David Berkowitz, united by their shared interest in bodybuilding. In December 1987, an altercation with a fellow inmate over child molestation charges led to Gary's extended solitary confinement. Released on March 1, 1988, he soon formed a new criminal partnership with thief Damien Cuomo.
The Killing Spree
From March 1988 to September 1989, Gary and Cuomo committed numerous thefts, perfecting their craft. In March 1989, they were arrested, but insufficient evidence led to their release. On September 8, Gary murdered Douglas Berry, a 63-year-old secondhand shop owner, during a robbery in Watertown, making off with $15,000 worth of goods. The crime left investigators stumped without leads or evidence.
By December, fear of Cuomo's depressive episodes and potential betrayal prompted Gary to murder him. Fleeing to Florida in early 1990, he soon moved to California, where he threatened an acquaintance and her husband. To avoid charges, he agreed to leave the state, returning to New York.
On October 17, 1991, Gary killed Gregory Jouben, a 36-year-old secondhand shop owner, stealing items he later sold for $60,000. After disposing of the murder weapon at Albany Rural Cemetery, he dismantled and sold a marble tombstone. Attempting to reform, Gary worked as a day laborer, committing only minor thefts until a January 1994 arrest for looting landed him a month in Albany County Jail.
Post-release, Gary adopted a survivalist lifestyle in Vermont, continuing his thieving ways. His theft of cuff links and a rare book from the Norman Williams Library led to his arrest in June 1994. Facing life imprisonment, he cooperated with authorities, resulting in a reduced 24-month sentence in Vermont.
Paroled on June 6, 1996, Gary returned to New York, reuniting with Rysedorph. They rented a storage room in Colonie for their stolen goods, but Gary’s paranoia about Rysedorph revealing his role in Falco's murder led to another killing on October 3, 1997. Disposing of the dismembered body and weapon, Gary fled, becoming a wanted fugitive.
Confession and Death
On May 27, 1998, guilt-ridden by the impact of his crimes on Rysedorph's young son, Gary surrendered in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. He confessed to multiple murders, detailing each crime and revealing the burial sites of Falco and Rysedorph, whose bodies were recovered in July.
On August 12, 1998, Gary was arraigned and charged with three murders at the Rensselaer County District Court. Transferred to Albany County Jail, he faced additional parole violation charges. Two days later, during a transport across the Menands Bridge, Gary ingeniously freed himself using a hidden key, broke a van window, and leaped into the Hudson River. The shallow waters inflicted fatal head injuries, resulting in his death, which was ruled a suicide.
Friends, including his lawyer and longtime investigator Jim Horton, revealed Gary’s premeditated intent to end his life, citing suicide notes expressing remorse and isolation. Known for his complex worldview, Gary was remembered by those close to him as a vegetarian who abstained from alcohol and smoking, despite his criminal exploits.
Media Legacy
Gary Evans' life of crime and the chilling details of his murders have been dramatized in the television series "I Killed My BFF," season 1, episode 8, titled "My Best Friend the Serial Killer." His story has also been the subject of several books, capturing the dark allure of his criminal path.
Sources
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 Robbery
Evans and accomplice Falco rob an antique collector's apartment, netting $15,000.
First Murder
Evans murders his accomplice Michael Falco, dismembers the body, and buries it in Florida.
Second Murder
Evans kills shop owner Douglas Berry during a robbery, stealing items worth $15,000.
Third Murder
Evans murders secondhand shop owner Gregory Jouben and steals items worth $60,000.
Fourth Murder
Evans kills his accomplice Tim Rysedorph, dismembers the body, and buries it in a wooded area.
Arrest
Evans surrenders to police in Vermont, confessing to multiple murders.
Confession Details
Evans provides detailed confessions of his murders and reveals burial sites.
Arraignment
Evans is arraigned at Rensselaer County District Court, charged with three murders.
Death
Evans jumps from a transport van during an escape attempt, resulting in fatal injuries.
Gary Charles Evans, an American serial killer, was active in the Capital District of New York from February 1985 to October 1997, during which he was linked to five confirmed murders. Evans, born on October 7, 1954, in Troy, New York, had a criminal history that included theft and multiple escapes from custody. He was apprehended on May 27, 1998, but died by suicide on August 14, 1998, by jumping from the Menands Bridge before he could stand trial. Investigators found significant evidence linking him to the murders, including DNA samples and eyewitness accounts, but the case remains officially unresolved due to his death.
Gary Evans is believed to have had a troubled upbringing that contributed to his criminal behavior, with speculation that his experiences of abuse and trauma influenced his later actions as a serial killer. Some theorize that his obsession with antiques and art may have been a reflection of his desire for beauty and stability, contrasting with his chaotic childhood. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that his multiple escapes from custody were indicative of a calculated and manipulative personality, further complicating the investigation into his crimes.
The Life and Crimes of Gary Charles Evans
A Troubled Beginning
Gary Charles Evans was born on October 7, 1954, in Troy, New York, into a world of turmoil. His childhood was marked by the violent chaos of an abusive father, Roy Evans, and the desperate cries for help from his mother, Flora Mae Evans, who attempted suicide multiple times. In this volatile environment, Gary and his sister, Robbie, struggled to find normalcy. It was amidst this domestic unrest that Gary claimed he was raped by his father at the age of eight, a trauma that would haunt him for the rest of his life.
Even as a child, Gary was drawn to the allure of valuable objects. At just eight years old, he was caught stealing jewelry worth $1,000. Throughout his school years, he frequently pilfered small items, such as books and comics, earning him an early reputation as a thief. The family disbanded in 1968 when his parents divorced, prompting a move to Cohoes with his mother, where Gary attended the local high school. The turbulence continued with his mother’s marriages and divorces, exacerbated by her struggles with alcohol and her eventual coming out as a lesbian in 1971.
Gary's life took a turn when he was arrested in 1970 for breaking and entering, resulting in a three-month stint in a juvenile detention center. Upon his release, he left his mother's home, dropped out of school, and wandered as a vagrant. By the mid-1970s, Gary returned to Troy, sharing an apartment and embarking on a life of crime alongside his childhood friends, Michael Falco and Timothy "Tim" Rysedorph.
The Descent into Crime
Gary’s criminal career escalated rapidly. On January 13, 1977, he was arrested in Lake Placid for trespassing and theft, landing him a four-year sentence at the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora. During his incarceration, his father succumbed to throat cancer, a family tragedy that did little to deter his criminal ambitions.
Transferred to the Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Comstock, Gary was paroled on March 21, 1980. He returned to Troy, where he and his accomplices used their apartment as a base for their criminal enterprises, storing stolen goods from their frequent heists. However, Gary's luck ran out in June 1980 when he was arrested and jailed at the Old Rensselaer County Jail. His brief escape with the assistance of Hells Angels members ended five hours later with his recapture and return to Clinton Correctional Facility.
A brawl in 1982 led to his transfer to the notorious Attica Correctional Facility, where he remained until his release in December 1982. Once free, Gary resumed his life of crime with Falco, leading to their relocation to Florida. Tragedy struck again with the death of his mother in an accident, prompting their return to New York and the resumption of their illicit activities with Rysedorph.
In 1985, with Rysedorph distancing himself, Gary and Falco robbed an antique collector's apartment in East Greenbush, netting $15,000. This was followed by the theft and sale of a drug traffickers’ car for $12,000. Arrested in Cohoes, Gary struck a plea deal, promising to reform. But by July, he committed his first murder.
Gary constructed an improvised silencer for his pistol and, fueled by revenge, killed Falco, dismembering his body with a chainsaw. Rysedorph, falsely blaming Falco for his own misdeeds, aided Gary in disposing of the remains in Lake Worth Corridor, Florida. Six weeks later, the duo returned to New York, where Gary's arrest for parole violation resulted in a four-year sentence at Sing Sing.
While incarcerated, Gary befriended the infamous serial killer David Berkowitz, united by their shared interest in bodybuilding. In December 1987, an altercation with a fellow inmate over child molestation charges led to Gary's extended solitary confinement. Released on March 1, 1988, he soon formed a new criminal partnership with thief Damien Cuomo.
The Killing Spree
From March 1988 to September 1989, Gary and Cuomo committed numerous thefts, perfecting their craft. In March 1989, they were arrested, but insufficient evidence led to their release. On September 8, Gary murdered Douglas Berry, a 63-year-old secondhand shop owner, during a robbery in Watertown, making off with $15,000 worth of goods. The crime left investigators stumped without leads or evidence.
By December, fear of Cuomo's depressive episodes and potential betrayal prompted Gary to murder him. Fleeing to Florida in early 1990, he soon moved to California, where he threatened an acquaintance and her husband. To avoid charges, he agreed to leave the state, returning to New York.
On October 17, 1991, Gary killed Gregory Jouben, a 36-year-old secondhand shop owner, stealing items he later sold for $60,000. After disposing of the murder weapon at Albany Rural Cemetery, he dismantled and sold a marble tombstone. Attempting to reform, Gary worked as a day laborer, committing only minor thefts until a January 1994 arrest for looting landed him a month in Albany County Jail.
Post-release, Gary adopted a survivalist lifestyle in Vermont, continuing his thieving ways. His theft of cuff links and a rare book from the Norman Williams Library led to his arrest in June 1994. Facing life imprisonment, he cooperated with authorities, resulting in a reduced 24-month sentence in Vermont.
Paroled on June 6, 1996, Gary returned to New York, reuniting with Rysedorph. They rented a storage room in Colonie for their stolen goods, but Gary’s paranoia about Rysedorph revealing his role in Falco's murder led to another killing on October 3, 1997. Disposing of the dismembered body and weapon, Gary fled, becoming a wanted fugitive.
Confession and Death
On May 27, 1998, guilt-ridden by the impact of his crimes on Rysedorph's young son, Gary surrendered in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. He confessed to multiple murders, detailing each crime and revealing the burial sites of Falco and Rysedorph, whose bodies were recovered in July.
On August 12, 1998, Gary was arraigned and charged with three murders at the Rensselaer County District Court. Transferred to Albany County Jail, he faced additional parole violation charges. Two days later, during a transport across the Menands Bridge, Gary ingeniously freed himself using a hidden key, broke a van window, and leaped into the Hudson River. The shallow waters inflicted fatal head injuries, resulting in his death, which was ruled a suicide.
Friends, including his lawyer and longtime investigator Jim Horton, revealed Gary’s premeditated intent to end his life, citing suicide notes expressing remorse and isolation. Known for his complex worldview, Gary was remembered by those close to him as a vegetarian who abstained from alcohol and smoking, despite his criminal exploits.
Media Legacy
Gary Evans' life of crime and the chilling details of his murders have been dramatized in the television series "I Killed My BFF," season 1, episode 8, titled "My Best Friend the Serial Killer." His story has also been the subject of several books, capturing the dark allure of his criminal path.
Sources
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 Robbery
Evans and accomplice Falco rob an antique collector's apartment, netting $15,000.
First Murder
Evans murders his accomplice Michael Falco, dismembers the body, and buries it in Florida.
Second Murder
Evans kills shop owner Douglas Berry during a robbery, stealing items worth $15,000.
Third Murder
Evans murders secondhand shop owner Gregory Jouben and steals items worth $60,000.
Fourth Murder
Evans kills his accomplice Tim Rysedorph, dismembers the body, and buries it in a wooded area.
Arrest
Evans surrenders to police in Vermont, confessing to multiple murders.
Confession Details
Evans provides detailed confessions of his murders and reveals burial sites.
Arraignment
Evans is arraigned at Rensselaer County District Court, charged with three murders.
Death
Evans jumps from a transport van during an escape attempt, resulting in fatal injuries.