Henry Busch (Serial Killer)
California Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
California, United States
TIME PERIOD
1960
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Henry Adolph Busch, an American serial killer, murdered three women in California between May 1 and September 5, 1960. The victims included 74-year-old Elmyra Miller, who was strangled in her apartment; 65-year-old Shirley Payne, whom Busch killed after a movie date; and 53-year-old Margaret Briggs, who was also strangled in her home. Busch, who had no prior criminal record, was apprehended shortly after the murders and was convicted of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder. He was executed by gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison on June 6, 1962. Significant evidence included the bodies of the victims, which were found in various states of concealment, and Busch's own admissions during police interrogations, revealing his compulsive urges to kill.
Henry Busch is believed to have killed his aunt, Elmyra Miller, due to an uncontrollable urge to kill, which he described. There is speculation that his actions were premeditated, as he staged the murder scene to appear sexually motivated. Additionally, some theorize that his choice of victims—older women he had personal connections with—suggests a deeper psychological motive linked to his past.
The Dark Urges of Henry Adolph Busch
On December 30, 1931, Henry Adolph Busch was born in California, a state that would later bear witness to his chilling acts. By the time he was 30, he had carved his name into the notorious annals of American serial killers. Executed by gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison on June 6, 1962, his story is a disturbing exploration of irresistible compulsion and cold execution.
A Quiet Life in Los Angeles
Busch led a seemingly unremarkable life in Los Angeles, living alone in an apartment and working in a factory. His interactions were minimal and unremarkable. One of his few social habits included grabbing coffee occasionally with a colleague named Magdalena Parra. But beneath this mundane exterior, something sinister brewed within him.
The Murders Begin
The first signs of his dark urges surfaced on May 1, 1960. Busch visited Elmyra Miller, a 74-year-old woman who had known him since he was a child. Their evening was spent in the comfort of conversation and television. As he prepared to leave, an overpowering urge overwhelmed him. Standing behind Miller, he strangled her. In a calculated move to mislead investigators, he staged the scene to suggest a sexually motivated crime, manipulating her clothing before fleeing. Her lifeless body was discovered the next day by her doctor.
The horror continued on September 4, 1960. Busch encountered 65-year-old Shirley Payne, a neighbor residing above his adoptive mother's apartment. He invited her to see the newly released movie "Psycho," an invitation she accepted. After the film, they returned to his apartment, shared beer, and, according to Busch, engaged in consensual sex. As Payne prepared to leave, Busch succumbed again to his murderous impulse, strangling her. The following day, he concealed her body in a sleeping bag, tying it shut, and kept it hidden in his apartment.
The very next day, Busch visited Margaret Briggs, a 53-year-old woman he considered an aunt. Carrying a knife, he entered the apartment, intending to confide in her about his recent crime. Instead, they watched television for hours until Busch, overwhelmed by his deadly urge, attacked Briggs from behind. She fought back, knocking over furniture in a desperate struggle for life. Despite her resistance, he strangled her, mutilating her body post-mortem. Her body bore cigarette burns and wounds, evidence of a violent end that Busch left unexplained.
The Aftermath of Murder
Following the murder of Briggs, Busch took her car keys and drove to work. He attempted to maintain an appearance of normalcy, even inviting Parra to join him for coffee when their usual spot was closed. However, his facade crumbled when, once in the car, he attacked Parra, attempting to strangle her. She fought back, managing to escape. As Busch tried to flee, his plans were thwarted by a flooded car engine, and he was quickly apprehended by two truck drivers and police officers. Found in his possession were a knife and handcuffs—tools of his sinister trade.
In police custody, Busch confessed to the murders, leading officers to the bodies. He openly admitted to the killings of Payne and Briggs from the past week and soon added Miller's murder to his confessions.
Trial and Execution
Charged with first-degree murder for each of the killings, Busch entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. Despite not taking the stand in his defense, he was found guilty. The jury convicted him of second-degree murder for the deaths of Miller and Payne, and first-degree murder for Briggs, aggravated by his premeditated use of a knife. For his assault on Parra, he faced charges of assault with intent to commit murder. The jury, unmoved by any plea for mercy, sentenced Busch to death.
After exhausting his appeals, Busch faced his fate. On June 6, 1962, he was executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison, leaving behind a legacy of violence and a cautionary tale of unchecked dark compulsions.
Sources
For further reading, please visit the original Wikipedia article: Henry Busch (serial killer)
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First Murder Committed
Henry Busch strangles 74-year-old Elmyra Miller in her apartment.
Second Murder Committed
Busch kills 65-year-old Shirley Payne after a movie date.
Third Murder Committed
Busch strangles his half-sister Margaret Briggs in her apartment.
Attempted Murder
Busch attempts to strangle Magdalena Parra but she escapes.
Arrest of Henry Busch
Busch is arrested after the attempted murder of Parra and confesses to the previous murders.
Trial Verdict
Busch is convicted of multiple murders and sentenced to death.
Execution
Henry Busch is executed by gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison.
Henry Adolph Busch, an American serial killer, murdered three women in California between May 1 and September 5, 1960. The victims included 74-year-old Elmyra Miller, who was strangled in her apartment; 65-year-old Shirley Payne, whom Busch killed after a movie date; and 53-year-old Margaret Briggs, who was also strangled in her home. Busch, who had no prior criminal record, was apprehended shortly after the murders and was convicted of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder. He was executed by gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison on June 6, 1962. Significant evidence included the bodies of the victims, which were found in various states of concealment, and Busch's own admissions during police interrogations, revealing his compulsive urges to kill.
Henry Busch is believed to have killed his aunt, Elmyra Miller, due to an uncontrollable urge to kill, which he described. There is speculation that his actions were premeditated, as he staged the murder scene to appear sexually motivated. Additionally, some theorize that his choice of victims—older women he had personal connections with—suggests a deeper psychological motive linked to his past.
The Dark Urges of Henry Adolph Busch
On December 30, 1931, Henry Adolph Busch was born in California, a state that would later bear witness to his chilling acts. By the time he was 30, he had carved his name into the notorious annals of American serial killers. Executed by gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison on June 6, 1962, his story is a disturbing exploration of irresistible compulsion and cold execution.
A Quiet Life in Los Angeles
Busch led a seemingly unremarkable life in Los Angeles, living alone in an apartment and working in a factory. His interactions were minimal and unremarkable. One of his few social habits included grabbing coffee occasionally with a colleague named Magdalena Parra. But beneath this mundane exterior, something sinister brewed within him.
The Murders Begin
The first signs of his dark urges surfaced on May 1, 1960. Busch visited Elmyra Miller, a 74-year-old woman who had known him since he was a child. Their evening was spent in the comfort of conversation and television. As he prepared to leave, an overpowering urge overwhelmed him. Standing behind Miller, he strangled her. In a calculated move to mislead investigators, he staged the scene to suggest a sexually motivated crime, manipulating her clothing before fleeing. Her lifeless body was discovered the next day by her doctor.
The horror continued on September 4, 1960. Busch encountered 65-year-old Shirley Payne, a neighbor residing above his adoptive mother's apartment. He invited her to see the newly released movie "Psycho," an invitation she accepted. After the film, they returned to his apartment, shared beer, and, according to Busch, engaged in consensual sex. As Payne prepared to leave, Busch succumbed again to his murderous impulse, strangling her. The following day, he concealed her body in a sleeping bag, tying it shut, and kept it hidden in his apartment.
The very next day, Busch visited Margaret Briggs, a 53-year-old woman he considered an aunt. Carrying a knife, he entered the apartment, intending to confide in her about his recent crime. Instead, they watched television for hours until Busch, overwhelmed by his deadly urge, attacked Briggs from behind. She fought back, knocking over furniture in a desperate struggle for life. Despite her resistance, he strangled her, mutilating her body post-mortem. Her body bore cigarette burns and wounds, evidence of a violent end that Busch left unexplained.
The Aftermath of Murder
Following the murder of Briggs, Busch took her car keys and drove to work. He attempted to maintain an appearance of normalcy, even inviting Parra to join him for coffee when their usual spot was closed. However, his facade crumbled when, once in the car, he attacked Parra, attempting to strangle her. She fought back, managing to escape. As Busch tried to flee, his plans were thwarted by a flooded car engine, and he was quickly apprehended by two truck drivers and police officers. Found in his possession were a knife and handcuffs—tools of his sinister trade.
In police custody, Busch confessed to the murders, leading officers to the bodies. He openly admitted to the killings of Payne and Briggs from the past week and soon added Miller's murder to his confessions.
Trial and Execution
Charged with first-degree murder for each of the killings, Busch entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. Despite not taking the stand in his defense, he was found guilty. The jury convicted him of second-degree murder for the deaths of Miller and Payne, and first-degree murder for Briggs, aggravated by his premeditated use of a knife. For his assault on Parra, he faced charges of assault with intent to commit murder. The jury, unmoved by any plea for mercy, sentenced Busch to death.
After exhausting his appeals, Busch faced his fate. On June 6, 1962, he was executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison, leaving behind a legacy of violence and a cautionary tale of unchecked dark compulsions.
Sources
For further reading, please visit the original Wikipedia article: Henry Busch (serial killer)
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
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First Murder Committed
Henry Busch strangles 74-year-old Elmyra Miller in her apartment.
Second Murder Committed
Busch kills 65-year-old Shirley Payne after a movie date.
Third Murder Committed
Busch strangles his half-sister Margaret Briggs in her apartment.
Attempted Murder
Busch attempts to strangle Magdalena Parra but she escapes.
Arrest of Henry Busch
Busch is arrested after the attempted murder of Parra and confesses to the previous murders.
Trial Verdict
Busch is convicted of multiple murders and sentenced to death.
Execution
Henry Busch is executed by gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison.