Great Basin Murders
Great Basin Serial Murders
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Wyoming, United States
TIME PERIOD
1983-1997
VICTIMS
9 confirmed
The Great Basin Murders refer to a series of at least nine murders of women that occurred between 1983 and 1997 across Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and Idaho, with victims often found near interstate highways. While some cases have been solved and linked to specific perpetrators, a number of murders remain unsolved, suggesting the involvement of multiple unrelated serial killers in the region. The investigation into these unsolved cases continues as law enforcement seeks to identify and apprehend the individuals responsible.
Theories surrounding the Great Basin Murders initially suggested that a single serial killer, dubbed "The Great Basin Killer," was responsible for the deaths of at least nine women. However, this theory has been largely dismissed as investigations have revealed that multiple unrelated serial killers were active in the area during the same time frame, leading to the conclusion that different perpetrators were responsible for many of the murders. While some cases have been solved, the remaining unsolved murders may still involve one or more unidentified killers.
Great Basin Murders
Unsolved Series of Murders
The Great Basin Murders refers to a chilling series of murders involving at least nine women that transpired between 1983 and 1997 across the states of Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and Idaho. The case takes its name from the Great Basin geographical area, where most victims were found abandoned near the interstate highways that weave through this expansive region.
Quick Facts
- Other Names: Great Basin Killer, The Great Basin Murderer
- Victims: 9+
- Span of Crimes: 1983–1997 (alleged)
- Country: United States
- States: Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Idaho
Victim Profiles
Most of the victims were teenage or adult females, brutally assaulted before being murdered—methods included strangulation, stabbing, and shooting. Their bodies were often discarded in desolate locations: hilltops, snowdrifts, and rivers. Some bodies exhibited signs of being posed post-mortem. Initially, this led investigators to theorize that a single serial killer, dubbed "The Great Basin Killer," was responsible for all the murders. However, as the investigation evolved, it became clear that multiple unrelated serial killers operated in this area, with many cases likely attributed to different perpetrators. Of the nine murders linked to the Great Basin Murders, nearly half (including Lisa Kimmell, Patricia Walsh and Douglas Scott Zyskowski, Barbara Kaye Williams, and the unidentified "Bitter Creek Betty") were solved, resulting in convictions. The remaining cases remain cold and may involve one or more killers.
Detailed Victim Accounts
Janelle Johnson
The tragic case of 23-year-old Janelle Johnson marks the first known victim in this grim saga. On February 17, 1983, she was hitchhiking from Denver, Colorado, to Riverton, Wyoming, when she was last seen at a truck stop in Sinclair, Wyoming, around 9 PM. Her body was discovered on March 1, 1983, in Fremont County, Wyoming. Johnson had been raped and murdered, her body buried in a shallow grave that was later eroded by storm drains. Forensic scientists uncovered traces of seminal fluid believed to belong to her killer and bite marks on her shoulder, which yielded an impression. Unfortunately, the evidence was compromised when the refrigerator storing her samples malfunctioned, leaving the case unsolved.Lisa Marie Kimmell
The second victim, 18-year-old Lisa Marie Kimmell, went missing on March 25, 1988, during a drive from Denver to Billings, Montana. Driving a black 1988 Honda CR-X with unique "LIL MISS" plates, Lisa's family reported she had recently received a job offer at a fast-food restaurant. Eight days later, her body was discovered in the North Platte River near Casper, Wyoming. Forensic examination revealed she had been raped, beaten, and stabbed to death. Despite being found eight days post-disappearance, authorities believed she had been held captive before being killed. The investigation took a bizarre turn when a note signed "Stringfellow Hawke" was found on her grave. Dale Wayne Eaton was convicted of her murder in 2004.Vicky Lynn Perkins
19-year-old Vicky Lynn Perkins went missing in March 1989, last seen in Portland, Oregon. Her remains were found months later, on May 13, 1989, in Emery County, Utah, near I-70. The decomposition of her body made identification challenging, but police confirmed her identity through fingerprints. Perkins was described as "a known prostitute" who often worked at truck stops.Patricia Candace Walsh & Douglas Scott Zyskowski
The next victim, initially known as Jane Doe 1, was discovered in Millard County, Utah, on October 26, 1990. It wasn't until May 2003 that forensic scientists identified her as 24-year-old Patricia Candace Walsh, who had vanished with her husband, Douglas Scott Zyskowski, in 1989. Zyskowski's remains were found earlier in Texas, and their murders were ultimately linked to Robert Ben Rhoades.Ermalinda Garza Sherman
32-year-old Ermalinda Garza Sherman was found murdered in St. George, Utah, on April 2, 1991. She had been shot multiple times in the head and exhibited signs of severe beating before her death. A forensic examination estimated she had been killed approximately 30 minutes before her body was located.Barbara Kaye Williams
The decomposed body of a young woman, later identified as Barbara Kaye Williams, was discovered in Salt Lake City, Utah, on March 22, 1991.Bitter Creek Betty
An unidentified young woman, dubbed "Bitter Creek Betty," was found on March 1, 1992, in the Bitter Creek stream near Sweetwater County, Wyoming. Autopsy results suggested her body had been left near I-80 between mid-October 1991 and late February 1992. She had been brutally beaten, raped, and ultimately killed by a blow to the head with an ice pick. Remarkably, traces of blood that did not match hers were found at the scene. In 2022, Betty was identified as Irene Vasquez, who had gone missing in 1990.Shafter Jane Doe
On November 16, 1993, a motorist discovered another unidentified young woman’s nude body near the I-80 exit for Shafter, Nevada. This victim, nicknamed "Shafter Jane Doe," had been murdered five to six days prior, showing signs of being beaten and shot twice in the chest. The killer had posed her body in a cross formation, a disturbing trend noted in several other cases.Tonya Teske
18-year-old Tonya Teske was murdered on August 15, 1997, her fully nude corpse discovered in Ucon, Idaho. Teske was known to travel with her clients, many of whom were truck drivers. Just days before her murder, she had a run-in with police over prostitution and theft. A suspect in her case was an Idaho truck driver, but no evidence linked him to her murder.
Investigation, Suspects, and Convictions
The investigations spanned years, with police interviewing hundreds of prostitutes, pimps, and truck drivers to gather evidence and identify suspects. Over time, several individuals have emerged as potential suspects in various cases, but many remain publicly unnamed.
Scott William Cox
In early 1992, Scott William Cox, a truck driver suspected of murdering two prostitutes in Portland, became a person of interest. Despite being linked to numerous murders across multiple states, investigators found no concrete evidence that tied him to the Great Basin Murders.
Keith Hunter Jesperson
By 1995, infamous serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson became a prime suspect due to his history of killing across multiple states, including those where the Great Basin victims were found. However, he was soon ruled out as a suspect.
Howell Williams
In 1999, the identification of Jane Doe 2 as Barbara Kaye Williams brought her husband, Howell Williams, into the spotlight. With a criminal history and multiple convictions, he was extradited from Florida to Utah to stand trial for his wife's murder but was never charged in connection with the other cases.
Dale Wayne Eaton
In 2002, all eyes turned to Dale Wayne Eaton, whose lengthy criminal record and history of mental illness raised alarm bells. After a DNA match with the seminal fluid found on Lisa Kimmell's body, Eaton's property was searched, leading to the discovery of Kimmell's buried car. His trial began in 2004, resulting in a conviction for kidnapping, raping, and murdering Kimmell, leading to a death sentence later commuted to life without parole.
Other Suspects
Despite Eaton's conviction, he was investigated for other murders, but no direct evidence linked him to additional cases. The investigation continued to consider multiple suspects, including Robert Ben Rhoades, a truck driver who was found guilty of other murders and whose DNA was linked to Patricia Walsh's death. Another potential suspect is Clark Perry Baldwin, arrested in 2020 for several murders, including that of Bitter Creek Betty.
Memorials
To honor and remember the victims of the Great Basin Murders, fabric artist Lily Martina Lee and photographer Carrie Quinney created a traveling exhibition titled The Great Basin Murders.
See Also
- List of serial killers in the United States
- List of solved missing person cases
- List of unsolved murders
Sources
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No Evidence Submitted
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First Victim Disappears
Janelle Johnson goes missing while hitchhiking and is later found murdered.
Lisa Kimmell Goes Missing
Lisa Kimmell disappears while traveling; her body is found eight days later.
Jane Doe 1 Discovered
Skeletal remains of Patricia Walsh are found; she remains unidentified for years.
Tonya Teske Murdered
The body of Tonya Teske is discovered in Ucon, Idaho, marking another victim.
Dale Wayne Eaton Arrested
Eaton is arrested; evidence links him to the murder of Lisa Kimmell.
Eaton Convicted
Dale Wayne Eaton is found guilty of kidnapping, raping, and murdering Lisa Kimmell.
Rhoades Linked to Walsh
Robert Ben Rhoades is linked to the murder of Patricia Walsh through DNA evidence.
Clark Perry Baldwin Arrested
Baldwin is arrested and charged with multiple murders, including those of Jane Does.
Bitter Creek Betty Identified
The unidentified victim known as Bitter Creek Betty is positively identified as Irene Vasquez.
The Great Basin Murders refer to a series of at least nine murders of women that occurred between 1983 and 1997 across Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and Idaho, with victims often found near interstate highways. While some cases have been solved and linked to specific perpetrators, a number of murders remain unsolved, suggesting the involvement of multiple unrelated serial killers in the region. The investigation into these unsolved cases continues as law enforcement seeks to identify and apprehend the individuals responsible.
Theories surrounding the Great Basin Murders initially suggested that a single serial killer, dubbed "The Great Basin Killer," was responsible for the deaths of at least nine women. However, this theory has been largely dismissed as investigations have revealed that multiple unrelated serial killers were active in the area during the same time frame, leading to the conclusion that different perpetrators were responsible for many of the murders. While some cases have been solved, the remaining unsolved murders may still involve one or more unidentified killers.
Great Basin Murders
Unsolved Series of Murders
The Great Basin Murders refers to a chilling series of murders involving at least nine women that transpired between 1983 and 1997 across the states of Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and Idaho. The case takes its name from the Great Basin geographical area, where most victims were found abandoned near the interstate highways that weave through this expansive region.
Quick Facts
- Other Names: Great Basin Killer, The Great Basin Murderer
- Victims: 9+
- Span of Crimes: 1983–1997 (alleged)
- Country: United States
- States: Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Idaho
Victim Profiles
Most of the victims were teenage or adult females, brutally assaulted before being murdered—methods included strangulation, stabbing, and shooting. Their bodies were often discarded in desolate locations: hilltops, snowdrifts, and rivers. Some bodies exhibited signs of being posed post-mortem. Initially, this led investigators to theorize that a single serial killer, dubbed "The Great Basin Killer," was responsible for all the murders. However, as the investigation evolved, it became clear that multiple unrelated serial killers operated in this area, with many cases likely attributed to different perpetrators. Of the nine murders linked to the Great Basin Murders, nearly half (including Lisa Kimmell, Patricia Walsh and Douglas Scott Zyskowski, Barbara Kaye Williams, and the unidentified "Bitter Creek Betty") were solved, resulting in convictions. The remaining cases remain cold and may involve one or more killers.
Detailed Victim Accounts
Janelle Johnson
The tragic case of 23-year-old Janelle Johnson marks the first known victim in this grim saga. On February 17, 1983, she was hitchhiking from Denver, Colorado, to Riverton, Wyoming, when she was last seen at a truck stop in Sinclair, Wyoming, around 9 PM. Her body was discovered on March 1, 1983, in Fremont County, Wyoming. Johnson had been raped and murdered, her body buried in a shallow grave that was later eroded by storm drains. Forensic scientists uncovered traces of seminal fluid believed to belong to her killer and bite marks on her shoulder, which yielded an impression. Unfortunately, the evidence was compromised when the refrigerator storing her samples malfunctioned, leaving the case unsolved.Lisa Marie Kimmell
The second victim, 18-year-old Lisa Marie Kimmell, went missing on March 25, 1988, during a drive from Denver to Billings, Montana. Driving a black 1988 Honda CR-X with unique "LIL MISS" plates, Lisa's family reported she had recently received a job offer at a fast-food restaurant. Eight days later, her body was discovered in the North Platte River near Casper, Wyoming. Forensic examination revealed she had been raped, beaten, and stabbed to death. Despite being found eight days post-disappearance, authorities believed she had been held captive before being killed. The investigation took a bizarre turn when a note signed "Stringfellow Hawke" was found on her grave. Dale Wayne Eaton was convicted of her murder in 2004.Vicky Lynn Perkins
19-year-old Vicky Lynn Perkins went missing in March 1989, last seen in Portland, Oregon. Her remains were found months later, on May 13, 1989, in Emery County, Utah, near I-70. The decomposition of her body made identification challenging, but police confirmed her identity through fingerprints. Perkins was described as "a known prostitute" who often worked at truck stops.Patricia Candace Walsh & Douglas Scott Zyskowski
The next victim, initially known as Jane Doe 1, was discovered in Millard County, Utah, on October 26, 1990. It wasn't until May 2003 that forensic scientists identified her as 24-year-old Patricia Candace Walsh, who had vanished with her husband, Douglas Scott Zyskowski, in 1989. Zyskowski's remains were found earlier in Texas, and their murders were ultimately linked to Robert Ben Rhoades.Ermalinda Garza Sherman
32-year-old Ermalinda Garza Sherman was found murdered in St. George, Utah, on April 2, 1991. She had been shot multiple times in the head and exhibited signs of severe beating before her death. A forensic examination estimated she had been killed approximately 30 minutes before her body was located.Barbara Kaye Williams
The decomposed body of a young woman, later identified as Barbara Kaye Williams, was discovered in Salt Lake City, Utah, on March 22, 1991.Bitter Creek Betty
An unidentified young woman, dubbed "Bitter Creek Betty," was found on March 1, 1992, in the Bitter Creek stream near Sweetwater County, Wyoming. Autopsy results suggested her body had been left near I-80 between mid-October 1991 and late February 1992. She had been brutally beaten, raped, and ultimately killed by a blow to the head with an ice pick. Remarkably, traces of blood that did not match hers were found at the scene. In 2022, Betty was identified as Irene Vasquez, who had gone missing in 1990.Shafter Jane Doe
On November 16, 1993, a motorist discovered another unidentified young woman’s nude body near the I-80 exit for Shafter, Nevada. This victim, nicknamed "Shafter Jane Doe," had been murdered five to six days prior, showing signs of being beaten and shot twice in the chest. The killer had posed her body in a cross formation, a disturbing trend noted in several other cases.Tonya Teske
18-year-old Tonya Teske was murdered on August 15, 1997, her fully nude corpse discovered in Ucon, Idaho. Teske was known to travel with her clients, many of whom were truck drivers. Just days before her murder, she had a run-in with police over prostitution and theft. A suspect in her case was an Idaho truck driver, but no evidence linked him to her murder.
Investigation, Suspects, and Convictions
The investigations spanned years, with police interviewing hundreds of prostitutes, pimps, and truck drivers to gather evidence and identify suspects. Over time, several individuals have emerged as potential suspects in various cases, but many remain publicly unnamed.
Scott William Cox
In early 1992, Scott William Cox, a truck driver suspected of murdering two prostitutes in Portland, became a person of interest. Despite being linked to numerous murders across multiple states, investigators found no concrete evidence that tied him to the Great Basin Murders.
Keith Hunter Jesperson
By 1995, infamous serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson became a prime suspect due to his history of killing across multiple states, including those where the Great Basin victims were found. However, he was soon ruled out as a suspect.
Howell Williams
In 1999, the identification of Jane Doe 2 as Barbara Kaye Williams brought her husband, Howell Williams, into the spotlight. With a criminal history and multiple convictions, he was extradited from Florida to Utah to stand trial for his wife's murder but was never charged in connection with the other cases.
Dale Wayne Eaton
In 2002, all eyes turned to Dale Wayne Eaton, whose lengthy criminal record and history of mental illness raised alarm bells. After a DNA match with the seminal fluid found on Lisa Kimmell's body, Eaton's property was searched, leading to the discovery of Kimmell's buried car. His trial began in 2004, resulting in a conviction for kidnapping, raping, and murdering Kimmell, leading to a death sentence later commuted to life without parole.
Other Suspects
Despite Eaton's conviction, he was investigated for other murders, but no direct evidence linked him to additional cases. The investigation continued to consider multiple suspects, including Robert Ben Rhoades, a truck driver who was found guilty of other murders and whose DNA was linked to Patricia Walsh's death. Another potential suspect is Clark Perry Baldwin, arrested in 2020 for several murders, including that of Bitter Creek Betty.
Memorials
To honor and remember the victims of the Great Basin Murders, fabric artist Lily Martina Lee and photographer Carrie Quinney created a traveling exhibition titled The Great Basin Murders.
See Also
- List of serial killers in the United States
- List of solved missing person cases
- List of unsolved murders
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 Victim Disappears
Janelle Johnson goes missing while hitchhiking and is later found murdered.
Lisa Kimmell Goes Missing
Lisa Kimmell disappears while traveling; her body is found eight days later.
Jane Doe 1 Discovered
Skeletal remains of Patricia Walsh are found; she remains unidentified for years.
Tonya Teske Murdered
The body of Tonya Teske is discovered in Ucon, Idaho, marking another victim.
Dale Wayne Eaton Arrested
Eaton is arrested; evidence links him to the murder of Lisa Kimmell.
Eaton Convicted
Dale Wayne Eaton is found guilty of kidnapping, raping, and murdering Lisa Kimmell.
Rhoades Linked to Walsh
Robert Ben Rhoades is linked to the murder of Patricia Walsh through DNA evidence.
Clark Perry Baldwin Arrested
Baldwin is arrested and charged with multiple murders, including those of Jane Does.
Bitter Creek Betty Identified
The unidentified victim known as Bitter Creek Betty is positively identified as Irene Vasquez.