Gary Muehlberg
St. Louis Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
St. Louis, Missouri
TIME PERIOD
1990-1993
VICTIMS
5 confirmed
Gary Randall Muehlberg, known as "The Package Killer," is an American serial killer responsible for the murders of at least four women and one man in St. Louis, Missouri, between 1990 and 1993. He was apprehended on March 27, 1993, and initially convicted for the murder of a man, receiving a life sentence. In 2022, advancements in DNA technology linked him to the unsolved murders of four prostitutes, leading him to plead guilty to these additional charges and receive multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole. Muehlberg is currently incarcerated at the Potosi Correctional Center in Missouri, where he continues to serve his sentences. Significant evidence includes DNA matches that confirmed his involvement in the previously unsolved cases.
Gary Muehlberg is believed to have targeted vulnerable women, particularly prostitutes, due to their marginalized status, which made them easier victims. Some speculate that his military background may have contributed to his violent behavior, while others theorize that psychological factors stemming from his brother's death in Vietnam influenced his actions. Additionally, there are discussions about potential links to other unsolved cases in the area, suggesting he may have had more victims than officially recognized.
The Story of Gary Muehlberg: The Package Killer
Early Life of a Troubled Soul
Born into a seemingly ordinary family in St. Louis, Missouri, on February 27, 1949, Gary Randall Muehlberg's early life gave little indication of the darkness that would later engulf him. He was one of three children raised by William and Christina Muehlberg. His father, a World War II veteran, served on local boards of governors between 1955 and 1957, while his mother ensured a nurturing home environment. The family's circumstances improved significantly when William took a high-paying job with Gulf Oil in 1966, prompting a move to Salina, Kansas.
Gary's life took a significant turn in 1968 when he and his brother Ronald were drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. While Gary stayed stateside, Ronald tragically lost his life in the Mekong Delta on August 21, 1968. Upon completing his service, Gary returned to his family, marrying his high school sweetheart in June 1970, and soon became a father.
Descent into Crime
Gary's first brushes with the law began in February 1972 when he was arrested for allegedly robbing and raping an 18-year-old in Salina. The victim recounted a chilling tale of Gary breaking into her home, attacking her at knifepoint, and fleeing with her valuables. A forensic psychiatric examination declared him insane, which led to a conviction for robbery but an acquittal for the rape charge due to insanity. After a stint in a veterans' hospital in Topeka, he was released in December 1972, only to face further turmoil with his father's passing in January 1973.
Later that month, Gary's criminal activities resurfaced when he assaulted a 14-year-old girl in her home. This time, the court found him sane, resulting in a conviction for assault and a five-year prison sentence. His personal life crumbled as his wife divorced him, severing ties with both her and their son. Paroled in 1977, Gary attempted to rebuild his life, enrolling in Central Methodist College to study psychology.
A Downward Spiral
Despite earning a degree and pursuing graduate studies at the University of Central Missouri, Gary's life continued on a downward trajectory. He remarried in 1980 and fathered two more children, but his second marriage ended in divorce in 1986. Gary drifted through various low-skilled jobs, including working as a repairman at the Moolah Shrine Center.
By the late 1980s, Gary resorted to dealing drugs, stashing marijuana behind a fake wall in his basement. He frequented a local fast-food restaurant, where he gained a reputation as a manipulator and liar. His life further spiraled out of control as he engaged in buying and selling used cars, unsuccessfully attempting to involve friends in his ventures.
The Package Killer Murders
In March 1990, the disappearance of 18-year-old Robin J. Mihan marked the beginning of a series of gruesome murders in and around St. Louis. Known as "The Package Killer," Gary targeted vulnerable women, often prostitutes, including Mihan, whom he kidnapped, tortured, and ultimately murdered. Her body, tied between two mattresses, was discovered along a highway in Silex.
Additional victims followed: Brenda Pruitt, whose remains were found in a plastic trash can in Maryland Heights; Donna Reitmeyer, discovered in a dumpster wrapped in garbage bags; and Sandy Little, a 21-year-old whose skeletal remains were uncovered near the I-70. A characteristic feature of these murders was the use of Conex electrical cable, tying the victims' fates together.
Though Muehlberg remained undetected for years, he later confessed to these heinous acts, revealing chilling details about his treatment of the victims and the macabre methods he used to dispose of their bodies.
The Murder of Kenneth Atchison
In early 1993, Gary's criminal activities took a new direction when he met Kenneth "Doc" Atchison, a 57-year-old interested in buying a Cadillac Fleetwood from him. On February 8, 1993, Atchison met with Gary in Bel-Ridge, Missouri, carrying $6,000. He was never seen again. Gary's acquaintance, Ron Silancas, later provided a crucial tip to the police, describing a coffin-like box in Gary's basement with male socks protruding from it.
A search warrant led to the discovery of Atchison's body, handcuffed and brutally tortured before being asphyxiated. Despite Gary's attempts to implicate others, including Chuck Nichols, he was charged with Atchison's murder, convicted in September 1995, and sentenced to life without parole.
A Cold Case Solved
For nearly thirty years, the murders attributed to "The Package Killer" remained unsolved. However, advancements in DNA technology in 2008 reignited the investigation. In March 2022, a breakthrough linked Gary Muehlberg to one of the murders, prompting a full confession from him regarding his crimes, including the murder of an unidentified Jane Doe. In exchange for his cooperation, and given his deteriorating health due to kidney failure, prosecutors decided against seeking the death penalty. Gary received four additional life sentences without parole.
Current Status
As of March 2025, Gary Muehlberg remains incarcerated at the Potosi Correctional Center, serving his sentence for the five confirmed murders. The chilling tale of "The Package Killer" serves as a haunting reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath a seemingly normal life.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Gary Muehlberg
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First Victim Disappearance
18-year-old Robin J. Mihan goes missing, later found murdered.
Second Victim Found
Body of Brenda Pruitt discovered wrapped in trash can.
Third Victim Discovered
Body of Donna Reitmeyer found in dumpster, linked to Muehlberg.
Fourth Victim Found
Skeletal remains of Sandy Little discovered along I-70.
Murder of Kenneth Atchison
57-year-old Kenneth Atchison goes missing after visiting Muehlberg.
Arrest of Gary Muehlberg
Muehlberg is apprehended in Illinois after a brief manhunt.
Conviction for Murder
Muehlberg found guilty of Kenneth Atchison's murder.
Sentenced to Life
Muehlberg sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
DNA Link Established
Muehlberg linked to four cold case murders via DNA.
Guilty Plea
Muehlberg pleads guilty to four additional murders.
Gary Randall Muehlberg, known as "The Package Killer," is an American serial killer responsible for the murders of at least four women and one man in St. Louis, Missouri, between 1990 and 1993. He was apprehended on March 27, 1993, and initially convicted for the murder of a man, receiving a life sentence. In 2022, advancements in DNA technology linked him to the unsolved murders of four prostitutes, leading him to plead guilty to these additional charges and receive multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole. Muehlberg is currently incarcerated at the Potosi Correctional Center in Missouri, where he continues to serve his sentences. Significant evidence includes DNA matches that confirmed his involvement in the previously unsolved cases.
Gary Muehlberg is believed to have targeted vulnerable women, particularly prostitutes, due to their marginalized status, which made them easier victims. Some speculate that his military background may have contributed to his violent behavior, while others theorize that psychological factors stemming from his brother's death in Vietnam influenced his actions. Additionally, there are discussions about potential links to other unsolved cases in the area, suggesting he may have had more victims than officially recognized.
The Story of Gary Muehlberg: The Package Killer
Early Life of a Troubled Soul
Born into a seemingly ordinary family in St. Louis, Missouri, on February 27, 1949, Gary Randall Muehlberg's early life gave little indication of the darkness that would later engulf him. He was one of three children raised by William and Christina Muehlberg. His father, a World War II veteran, served on local boards of governors between 1955 and 1957, while his mother ensured a nurturing home environment. The family's circumstances improved significantly when William took a high-paying job with Gulf Oil in 1966, prompting a move to Salina, Kansas.
Gary's life took a significant turn in 1968 when he and his brother Ronald were drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. While Gary stayed stateside, Ronald tragically lost his life in the Mekong Delta on August 21, 1968. Upon completing his service, Gary returned to his family, marrying his high school sweetheart in June 1970, and soon became a father.
Descent into Crime
Gary's first brushes with the law began in February 1972 when he was arrested for allegedly robbing and raping an 18-year-old in Salina. The victim recounted a chilling tale of Gary breaking into her home, attacking her at knifepoint, and fleeing with her valuables. A forensic psychiatric examination declared him insane, which led to a conviction for robbery but an acquittal for the rape charge due to insanity. After a stint in a veterans' hospital in Topeka, he was released in December 1972, only to face further turmoil with his father's passing in January 1973.
Later that month, Gary's criminal activities resurfaced when he assaulted a 14-year-old girl in her home. This time, the court found him sane, resulting in a conviction for assault and a five-year prison sentence. His personal life crumbled as his wife divorced him, severing ties with both her and their son. Paroled in 1977, Gary attempted to rebuild his life, enrolling in Central Methodist College to study psychology.
A Downward Spiral
Despite earning a degree and pursuing graduate studies at the University of Central Missouri, Gary's life continued on a downward trajectory. He remarried in 1980 and fathered two more children, but his second marriage ended in divorce in 1986. Gary drifted through various low-skilled jobs, including working as a repairman at the Moolah Shrine Center.
By the late 1980s, Gary resorted to dealing drugs, stashing marijuana behind a fake wall in his basement. He frequented a local fast-food restaurant, where he gained a reputation as a manipulator and liar. His life further spiraled out of control as he engaged in buying and selling used cars, unsuccessfully attempting to involve friends in his ventures.
The Package Killer Murders
In March 1990, the disappearance of 18-year-old Robin J. Mihan marked the beginning of a series of gruesome murders in and around St. Louis. Known as "The Package Killer," Gary targeted vulnerable women, often prostitutes, including Mihan, whom he kidnapped, tortured, and ultimately murdered. Her body, tied between two mattresses, was discovered along a highway in Silex.
Additional victims followed: Brenda Pruitt, whose remains were found in a plastic trash can in Maryland Heights; Donna Reitmeyer, discovered in a dumpster wrapped in garbage bags; and Sandy Little, a 21-year-old whose skeletal remains were uncovered near the I-70. A characteristic feature of these murders was the use of Conex electrical cable, tying the victims' fates together.
Though Muehlberg remained undetected for years, he later confessed to these heinous acts, revealing chilling details about his treatment of the victims and the macabre methods he used to dispose of their bodies.
The Murder of Kenneth Atchison
In early 1993, Gary's criminal activities took a new direction when he met Kenneth "Doc" Atchison, a 57-year-old interested in buying a Cadillac Fleetwood from him. On February 8, 1993, Atchison met with Gary in Bel-Ridge, Missouri, carrying $6,000. He was never seen again. Gary's acquaintance, Ron Silancas, later provided a crucial tip to the police, describing a coffin-like box in Gary's basement with male socks protruding from it.
A search warrant led to the discovery of Atchison's body, handcuffed and brutally tortured before being asphyxiated. Despite Gary's attempts to implicate others, including Chuck Nichols, he was charged with Atchison's murder, convicted in September 1995, and sentenced to life without parole.
A Cold Case Solved
For nearly thirty years, the murders attributed to "The Package Killer" remained unsolved. However, advancements in DNA technology in 2008 reignited the investigation. In March 2022, a breakthrough linked Gary Muehlberg to one of the murders, prompting a full confession from him regarding his crimes, including the murder of an unidentified Jane Doe. In exchange for his cooperation, and given his deteriorating health due to kidney failure, prosecutors decided against seeking the death penalty. Gary received four additional life sentences without parole.
Current Status
As of March 2025, Gary Muehlberg remains incarcerated at the Potosi Correctional Center, serving his sentence for the five confirmed murders. The chilling tale of "The Package Killer" serves as a haunting reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath a seemingly normal life.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Gary Muehlberg
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 Victim Disappearance
18-year-old Robin J. Mihan goes missing, later found murdered.
Second Victim Found
Body of Brenda Pruitt discovered wrapped in trash can.
Third Victim Discovered
Body of Donna Reitmeyer found in dumpster, linked to Muehlberg.
Fourth Victim Found
Skeletal remains of Sandy Little discovered along I-70.
Murder of Kenneth Atchison
57-year-old Kenneth Atchison goes missing after visiting Muehlberg.
Arrest of Gary Muehlberg
Muehlberg is apprehended in Illinois after a brief manhunt.
Conviction for Murder
Muehlberg found guilty of Kenneth Atchison's murder.
Sentenced to Life
Muehlberg sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
DNA Link Established
Muehlberg linked to four cold case murders via DNA.
Guilty Plea
Muehlberg pleads guilty to four additional murders.