I-70 Killer
Midwestern Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Midwestern United States
TIME PERIOD
April 8 – May 7, 1992
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
The I-70 Killer is an unidentified serial killer responsible for the murders of six store clerks across the Midwestern United States between April 8 and May 7, 1992, with additional suspected attacks occurring in Texas until 2001. The victims, primarily young, petite, brunette women, were targeted in specialty stores located near Interstate 70, and the crimes involved minimal theft. The case remains unsolved, with no suspects publicly identified despite extensive media coverage and investigation efforts.
Theories surrounding the I-70 killer include speculation about the killer's victim selection, as the victims were predominantly young, petite, brunette women, suggesting a possible psychological profile or motive related to physical characteristics. Additionally, there is a theory that the killer may have mistakenly targeted a male victim, indicating a level of confusion or a specific target preference. The killer is also suspected of having committed additional murders beyond the initial six, extending the timeline of his criminal activity.
I-70 Killer
Overview
The I-70 Killer is an unidentified American serial killer who wreaked havoc across the Midwestern United States in the spring of 1992. This elusive figure is believed to have murdered six store clerks, primarily young, petite women with dark hair, while committing small-scale robberies. The killer’s name comes from the fact that many of the victims worked just off Interstate 70, a major highway traversing the United States.
Interestingly, the I-70 Killer should not be confused with the I-70 Strangler or the I-65 Killer, who are entirely different predators. The unsettling nature of these crimes has kept the case alive in public consciousness, despite numerous attempts by law enforcement to identify the killer.
Quick Facts
- Born: Unknown
- Height: 5 ft 7–9 in (1.70–1.75 m)
- Victims: 6–9+
- Span of Crimes: April 8 – May 7, 1992 (possibly until 2001)
- Country: United States
- States: Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Texas (suspected)
Victims
The I-70 Killer’s victims primarily comprised young female clerks, with one male victim mistakenly targeted due to the store’s name and his long hair. The stores themselves were small, specialty shops, and the robberies involved only modest amounts of cash. The chilling pattern of the murders paints a picture of a calculated predator who knew how to exploit the vulnerabilities of his victims.
1992 Murder Spree
Robin Fuldauer
The murder spree began on April 8, 1992, when Robin Fuldauer, a 26-year-old manager at Payless ShoeSource in Indianapolis, was shot while alone in the store. The tragedy occurred around 1:30 p.m., and her body was discovered in a storage room by colleagues at 3:00 p.m. The killer made off with less than $100, indicating robbery was a secondary motive.
Patricia Magers and Patricia Smith
Just three days later, on April 11, the killer struck again at the La Bride d'Elegance bridal shop in Wichita, Kansas. Here, Patricia Smith, 23, and the store owner, Patricia Magers, 32, were murdered. This case is particularly harrowing because the women had stayed past closing time for a male customer to pick up a cummerbund. Under the guise of waiting for this customer, they unwittingly allowed the killer into the store.
After committing the murders, the actual customer arrived and encountered the I-70 Killer, who brandished a weapon and attempted to lure the customer to the back of the store. Luckily, the customer refused and fled, later providing a description for a composite sketch. Witnesses described the killer as a slender white male with reddish hair and armed with an Uzi-style gun.
Michael McCown
On April 27, the killer claimed his only male victim, Michael McCown, 40, in his mother’s ceramics shop in Terre Haute, Indiana. McCown was shot in the back while stocking shelves, and investigators believe he may have been mistaken for a woman due to his long hair tied in a ponytail. From this store, the killer stole less than $50.
Nancy Kitzmiller
The fourth victim was Nancy Kitzmiller, a 24-year-old who was shot while working alone at Boot Village, a footwear shop in St. Charles, Missouri, on May 3. She had opened the shop at noon, but by 2:30 p.m. customers found her dead, shot in the back of the head. Strikingly, she had come in to work that day to give a co-worker time off. Witnesses saw her with a customer shortly before her death, and police used this sighting to create a composite sketch.
Sarah Blessing
The final confirmed murder occurred on May 7 in Raytown, Missouri, where Sarah Blessing, 37, was working in her gift shop, Store of Many Colors. The murder happened during daylight hours. A video store owner next door saw the killer enter Blessing’s store, heard a shot, and then saw him exit. Moments later, he discovered Blessing’s lifeless body.
Suspected Murders
1993 Texas Murders
The I-70 Killer may also be linked to two murders and an attempted murder in Texas during 1993 and 1994. The victims include Mary Ann Glasscock, 51, who was killed in Fort Worth on September 25, and Amy Vess, 22, shot dead in a dance apparel store in Arlington on November 1.
Additionally, Vicki Webb, 35, survived an attack in Houston on January 15, 1994. The shooter briefly spoke to her before shooting her in the back of the head. Miraculously, the bullet did not penetrate her skull because it struck a vertebra. The killer attempted to shoot her again, but the gun misfired, allowing Webb to escape with her life. Although the Texas murders displayed similarities in modus operandi, ballistics tests ruled out a direct connection to the I-70 killings.
2001 Terre Haute Murder
In a twist that reignited interest in the case, police announced in November 2021 that the I-70 Killer might also be linked to the murder of Billy Brossman, a 31-year-old liquor store clerk in Terre Haute on November 30, 2001. Security footage captured a white male suspect entering the liquor store, pulling a gun on Brossman, and leading him to the back of the store before fatally shooting him in the back of the head. This murder occurred just seven blocks from where McCown was killed, and the similarities in the modus operandi raised new questions about the killer's identity.
Investigation
The investigation into the I-70 Killer began to coalesce when a detective from St. Charles noticed the striking similarities among the murders. All the victims were shot in the back of the head with a .22-caliber firearm, and they were typically young women alone in their stores. While robbery was a factor, it appeared secondary; the killer seemed to have a specific profile in mind for his victims.
Witness accounts led investigators to believe the weapon used might have been an Intratec Scorpion or an Erma Werke ET22 pistol. Although investigators could not definitively rule out other .22-caliber firearms, they found that the ammunition used in the killings was CCI copper-clad lead bullets. Intriguingly, the spent casings revealed traces of jeweler's rouge, suggesting a methodical approach to the killings.
Two composite sketches were produced based on witness descriptions, painting a picture of a thin white man in his twenties or thirties, standing between 5'7" and 5'9" tall, with lazy eyelids and sandy blond or reddish hair.
In the early stages of the investigation, two suspects were investigated but ultimately cleared:
- Donald Waterhouse, arrested in Tennessee for the murders of his mother and stepfather, was eliminated due to differences in height and hair style.
- Sean Patrick Goble, linked to four women’s murders across multiple states, was also cleared based on discrepancies in physical description and modus operandi.
In 2021, the St. Charles police department released age-progressed versions of the original composite sketches, hypothesizing that if the killer is still alive, he would now be between 52 and 70 years old.
Conclusion
The I-70 Killer remains a chilling enigma. Despite extensive investigations, media coverage, and the production of numerous composite sketches, this predator has evaded capture. The case continues to haunt the families of the victims and investigators alike, a grim reminder of the dark side of humanity that lurks just off the interstate.
Sources
- Penner, Diana. "Indiana Unsolved: I-70 Killings Left 6 Victims in 3 States". Indianapolis Star.
- Cyphers, Bob. "April 8, 1992: The I-70 serial killer claims his first victim". kmov.com.
- Leiker, Amy. "1992 Murders at Bridal Shop Unsolved but not Forgotten by Women's Families". The Wichita Eagle.
- Cyphers, Bob. "685 miles from first killing, I-70 serial killer strikes again". kmov.com.
- Cyphers, Bob. "I-70 killer claims only known male victim: 'I think he was probably concerned about a struggle'". kmov.com.
- "Answers Remain Elusive 20 Years After St. Charles Murder, Part of Interstate Spree". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
- "20 Years Later, 'I-70 Killer' Still At Large". Kansas City, MO: KMBC-TV.
- Dinkel, Susan (November 9, 2021). "A case gone cold, but not forgotten: THPD says they are not giving up on I-70 Killer investigation". wthitv.com.
- Cyphers, Bob (January 20, 2022). "Did he strike again? I-70 killer could be linked to unsolved Terre Haute murder". kmov.com.
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First Murder
Robin Fuldauer, a store manager, is shot and killed in Indianapolis.
Double Murder
Patricia Magers and Patricia Smith are murdered at a bridal shop in Wichita.
Male Victim Killed
Michael McCown is shot in his mother's ceramics store in Terre Haute.
Fourth Murder
Nancy Kitzmiller is shot while working alone at Boot Village in St. Charles.
Final Confirmed Murder
Sarah Blessing is murdered in her gift shop in Raytown, Missouri.
Surviving Victim
Vicki Webb survives an attempted murder in Houston, Texas.
Possible Link to 2001 Murder
Billy Brossman is murdered in Terre Haute, possibly linked to the I-70 killer.
New Sketch Released
Age-progressed sketches of the I-70 killer are published by St. Charles police.
The I-70 Killer is an unidentified serial killer responsible for the murders of six store clerks across the Midwestern United States between April 8 and May 7, 1992, with additional suspected attacks occurring in Texas until 2001. The victims, primarily young, petite, brunette women, were targeted in specialty stores located near Interstate 70, and the crimes involved minimal theft. The case remains unsolved, with no suspects publicly identified despite extensive media coverage and investigation efforts.
Theories surrounding the I-70 killer include speculation about the killer's victim selection, as the victims were predominantly young, petite, brunette women, suggesting a possible psychological profile or motive related to physical characteristics. Additionally, there is a theory that the killer may have mistakenly targeted a male victim, indicating a level of confusion or a specific target preference. The killer is also suspected of having committed additional murders beyond the initial six, extending the timeline of his criminal activity.
I-70 Killer
Overview
The I-70 Killer is an unidentified American serial killer who wreaked havoc across the Midwestern United States in the spring of 1992. This elusive figure is believed to have murdered six store clerks, primarily young, petite women with dark hair, while committing small-scale robberies. The killer’s name comes from the fact that many of the victims worked just off Interstate 70, a major highway traversing the United States.
Interestingly, the I-70 Killer should not be confused with the I-70 Strangler or the I-65 Killer, who are entirely different predators. The unsettling nature of these crimes has kept the case alive in public consciousness, despite numerous attempts by law enforcement to identify the killer.
Quick Facts
- Born: Unknown
- Height: 5 ft 7–9 in (1.70–1.75 m)
- Victims: 6–9+
- Span of Crimes: April 8 – May 7, 1992 (possibly until 2001)
- Country: United States
- States: Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Texas (suspected)
Victims
The I-70 Killer’s victims primarily comprised young female clerks, with one male victim mistakenly targeted due to the store’s name and his long hair. The stores themselves were small, specialty shops, and the robberies involved only modest amounts of cash. The chilling pattern of the murders paints a picture of a calculated predator who knew how to exploit the vulnerabilities of his victims.
1992 Murder Spree
Robin Fuldauer
The murder spree began on April 8, 1992, when Robin Fuldauer, a 26-year-old manager at Payless ShoeSource in Indianapolis, was shot while alone in the store. The tragedy occurred around 1:30 p.m., and her body was discovered in a storage room by colleagues at 3:00 p.m. The killer made off with less than $100, indicating robbery was a secondary motive.
Patricia Magers and Patricia Smith
Just three days later, on April 11, the killer struck again at the La Bride d'Elegance bridal shop in Wichita, Kansas. Here, Patricia Smith, 23, and the store owner, Patricia Magers, 32, were murdered. This case is particularly harrowing because the women had stayed past closing time for a male customer to pick up a cummerbund. Under the guise of waiting for this customer, they unwittingly allowed the killer into the store.
After committing the murders, the actual customer arrived and encountered the I-70 Killer, who brandished a weapon and attempted to lure the customer to the back of the store. Luckily, the customer refused and fled, later providing a description for a composite sketch. Witnesses described the killer as a slender white male with reddish hair and armed with an Uzi-style gun.
Michael McCown
On April 27, the killer claimed his only male victim, Michael McCown, 40, in his mother’s ceramics shop in Terre Haute, Indiana. McCown was shot in the back while stocking shelves, and investigators believe he may have been mistaken for a woman due to his long hair tied in a ponytail. From this store, the killer stole less than $50.
Nancy Kitzmiller
The fourth victim was Nancy Kitzmiller, a 24-year-old who was shot while working alone at Boot Village, a footwear shop in St. Charles, Missouri, on May 3. She had opened the shop at noon, but by 2:30 p.m. customers found her dead, shot in the back of the head. Strikingly, she had come in to work that day to give a co-worker time off. Witnesses saw her with a customer shortly before her death, and police used this sighting to create a composite sketch.
Sarah Blessing
The final confirmed murder occurred on May 7 in Raytown, Missouri, where Sarah Blessing, 37, was working in her gift shop, Store of Many Colors. The murder happened during daylight hours. A video store owner next door saw the killer enter Blessing’s store, heard a shot, and then saw him exit. Moments later, he discovered Blessing’s lifeless body.
Suspected Murders
1993 Texas Murders
The I-70 Killer may also be linked to two murders and an attempted murder in Texas during 1993 and 1994. The victims include Mary Ann Glasscock, 51, who was killed in Fort Worth on September 25, and Amy Vess, 22, shot dead in a dance apparel store in Arlington on November 1.
Additionally, Vicki Webb, 35, survived an attack in Houston on January 15, 1994. The shooter briefly spoke to her before shooting her in the back of the head. Miraculously, the bullet did not penetrate her skull because it struck a vertebra. The killer attempted to shoot her again, but the gun misfired, allowing Webb to escape with her life. Although the Texas murders displayed similarities in modus operandi, ballistics tests ruled out a direct connection to the I-70 killings.
2001 Terre Haute Murder
In a twist that reignited interest in the case, police announced in November 2021 that the I-70 Killer might also be linked to the murder of Billy Brossman, a 31-year-old liquor store clerk in Terre Haute on November 30, 2001. Security footage captured a white male suspect entering the liquor store, pulling a gun on Brossman, and leading him to the back of the store before fatally shooting him in the back of the head. This murder occurred just seven blocks from where McCown was killed, and the similarities in the modus operandi raised new questions about the killer's identity.
Investigation
The investigation into the I-70 Killer began to coalesce when a detective from St. Charles noticed the striking similarities among the murders. All the victims were shot in the back of the head with a .22-caliber firearm, and they were typically young women alone in their stores. While robbery was a factor, it appeared secondary; the killer seemed to have a specific profile in mind for his victims.
Witness accounts led investigators to believe the weapon used might have been an Intratec Scorpion or an Erma Werke ET22 pistol. Although investigators could not definitively rule out other .22-caliber firearms, they found that the ammunition used in the killings was CCI copper-clad lead bullets. Intriguingly, the spent casings revealed traces of jeweler's rouge, suggesting a methodical approach to the killings.
Two composite sketches were produced based on witness descriptions, painting a picture of a thin white man in his twenties or thirties, standing between 5'7" and 5'9" tall, with lazy eyelids and sandy blond or reddish hair.
In the early stages of the investigation, two suspects were investigated but ultimately cleared:
- Donald Waterhouse, arrested in Tennessee for the murders of his mother and stepfather, was eliminated due to differences in height and hair style.
- Sean Patrick Goble, linked to four women’s murders across multiple states, was also cleared based on discrepancies in physical description and modus operandi.
In 2021, the St. Charles police department released age-progressed versions of the original composite sketches, hypothesizing that if the killer is still alive, he would now be between 52 and 70 years old.
Conclusion
The I-70 Killer remains a chilling enigma. Despite extensive investigations, media coverage, and the production of numerous composite sketches, this predator has evaded capture. The case continues to haunt the families of the victims and investigators alike, a grim reminder of the dark side of humanity that lurks just off the interstate.
Sources
- Penner, Diana. "Indiana Unsolved: I-70 Killings Left 6 Victims in 3 States". Indianapolis Star.
- Cyphers, Bob. "April 8, 1992: The I-70 serial killer claims his first victim". kmov.com.
- Leiker, Amy. "1992 Murders at Bridal Shop Unsolved but not Forgotten by Women's Families". The Wichita Eagle.
- Cyphers, Bob. "685 miles from first killing, I-70 serial killer strikes again". kmov.com.
- Cyphers, Bob. "I-70 killer claims only known male victim: 'I think he was probably concerned about a struggle'". kmov.com.
- "Answers Remain Elusive 20 Years After St. Charles Murder, Part of Interstate Spree". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
- "20 Years Later, 'I-70 Killer' Still At Large". Kansas City, MO: KMBC-TV.
- Dinkel, Susan (November 9, 2021). "A case gone cold, but not forgotten: THPD says they are not giving up on I-70 Killer investigation". wthitv.com.
- Cyphers, Bob (January 20, 2022). "Did he strike again? I-70 killer could be linked to unsolved Terre Haute murder". kmov.com.
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 Murder
Robin Fuldauer, a store manager, is shot and killed in Indianapolis.
Double Murder
Patricia Magers and Patricia Smith are murdered at a bridal shop in Wichita.
Male Victim Killed
Michael McCown is shot in his mother's ceramics store in Terre Haute.
Fourth Murder
Nancy Kitzmiller is shot while working alone at Boot Village in St. Charles.
Final Confirmed Murder
Sarah Blessing is murdered in her gift shop in Raytown, Missouri.
Surviving Victim
Vicki Webb survives an attempted murder in Houston, Texas.
Possible Link to 2001 Murder
Billy Brossman is murdered in Terre Haute, possibly linked to the I-70 killer.
New Sketch Released
Age-progressed sketches of the I-70 killer are published by St. Charles police.