The Dark Path of Gary Gene Grant

A Troubled Beginning

In the shadow of Renton, Washington, Gary Gene Grant entered the world on June 29, 1951. His early life unfolded in a backdrop of struggle and instability. His family lived on the outskirts of town, residing in a trailer park where financial constraints were a constant burden. His parents, employed in low-skilled jobs, were often embroiled in domestic disputes, exacerbated by his mother's alcoholism. These conditions shaped Gary's formative years, leading him to abandon his education in the mid-1960s. By the end of the decade, he attempted to escape this turbulent environment by enlisting in the Army, only to be assigned to the Navy. However, his military stint was brief and marred by bullying, which aggravated signs of mental distress. Claiming health issues, Gary soon returned to Renton, setting the stage for a series of heinous crimes that would soon grip the community.

The Murders

On December 15, 1969, the serene evening in Renton was shattered by a brutal act. Nineteen-year-old Carol Adele Erickson was walking home from the Renton Municipal Library when Gary, in a fit of violence, attacked her. He stabbed Carol and dragged her lifeless body into the bushes, where he violated her corpse. The brutality left deep lacerations on her neck, a harrowing testament to the violence she suffered.

A year later, in September 1970, another grim scene unfolded. Joanne Mary Zulauf, a 17-year-old, was ambushed in broad daylight. Gary bludgeoned her with a stone and dragged her into the woods, where he raped and strangled her. Her body lay undiscovered until September 22, and in a chilling move, Gary gifted his girlfriend a wristwatch taken from Joanne’s body, just four days after the murder.

The horror reached its zenith on April 20, 1971. Gary's depravity drove him to target two innocent six-year-old boys, Scott Andrews and Bradley Lyons, as they played outside. He lured them into the woods, two kilometers from Bradley's home, and subjected them to a vicious attack. Scott was stabbed, while Bradley was strangled, and their small bodies were concealed under leaves and branches, found only two days later.

The Investigation and Arrest

The discovery of Scott and Bradley's bodies on April 22 prompted an intense investigation. Forensic experts identified footprints at the scene, matching them to a pair of tennis shoes. The breakthrough came on April 28, when searchers found a hunting knife stained with dried blood, identified as Scott’s blood type. The knife was traced back to Tom Evenson, who revealed that he had sold it to Jerry Triplett. Triplett, in turn, had passed it to Jim Monger, who disclosed the crucial link—he had lent it to Gary Grant.

On April 30, 1971, authorities apprehended Gary in his trailer. During questioning, he faltered, initially claiming amnesia before breaking down and confessing to the murders. His confession, recorded legally in the presence of his father and lawyer, was pivotal despite attempts by his defense to dismiss it due to illegal wiretapping by Renton Police Captain William G. Frazee. The courts upheld the confession's validity, leading to Frazee’s suspension for his misconduct.

The Trial

Gary's trial commenced on August 12, 1971, with overwhelming evidence against him: his recorded confession, the blood-stained knife, and the matching shoe prints. Prosecution witnesses placed Gary near the crime scenes in dirty clothes, reinforcing the case against him. His defense, however, argued insanity, presenting testimonies from friends and his father portraying him as a passive individual. A forensic psychiatric evaluation confirmed Gary was sane but highlighted his impulsive nature and emotional instability.

After deliberations, the jury delivered their verdict on August 25, 1971—Gary Gene Grant was guilty on all charges. He received four life sentences without the possibility of parole, escaping a potential death sentence.

Aftermath

Since his conviction, Gary has remained behind bars, serving his sentence at various Washington State penitentiaries. In 2020, his notoriety was rekindled by Cloyd Steiger's book, "Seattle's Forgotten Serial Killer: Gary Gene Grant," which unearthed new facets of his grisly saga. As of December 2020, Gary Grant, now 69, continues to serve his time at the Monroe Correctional Complex, identified as inmate number 127688.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Gary Grant (serial killer)