Jeremiah McCray
Serial Killer of Elderly Women
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Virginia, United States
TIME PERIOD
1956-1958
VICTIMS
5 confirmed
Jeremiah McCray, an American serial killer, committed five murders across Alabama, Ohio, Georgia, and Virginia between 1956 and 1958, primarily targeting elderly women during burglaries. His criminal activities began on February 27, 1956, with the brutal murder of 73-year-old Daisy F. Gilbert in Anniston, Alabama, followed by the killing of 86-year-old Sarah DeWitt in Ohio on July 1, 1957. McCray was apprehended on February 3, 1958, and subsequently convicted of first-degree murder in Virginia for his final crime, leading to his execution by electrocution on April 18, 1958, at the age of 23. Significant evidence included witness testimonies and physical evidence linking him to the crime scenes, which ultimately secured his conviction and death sentence.
Jeremiah McCray is believed to have targeted elderly women during his robberies, which led to the brutal murders of five victims across multiple states. Some speculate that his difficult upbringing and lack of education contributed to his violent criminal behavior. Additionally, there is discussion about whether he acted alone or had accomplices in some of his crimes.
The Haunting Crimes of Jeremiah McCray: A True Crime Tale
The Early Life of Jeremiah McCray
In the small town of Buchanan, Georgia, 1935 marked the birth of Jeremiah McCray. He was one of many children born to black sharecroppers, in a family that may have numbered up to twenty siblings. Education was a brief chapter in McCray's life; he attended school for approximately three years, yet never mastered reading or writing. Lacking academic skills, McCray drifted into the life of an itinerant farm laborer. Occasionally, when desperation struck, he resorted to theft and burglary to make ends meet.
The Beginning of a Murderous Path
The year was 1956, and McCray found himself laboring on a farm in Talladega, Alabama. An acquaintance whispered of easy money, luring him into a life-altering decision. On February 27, McCray and his new partner in crime ventured to Anniston. There, 73-year-old Daisy F. Gilbert became their first known victim. Beaten to death with sticks, she was left lifeless as McCray and his accomplice stole $80 and a pistol before fleeing. The grisly discovery of Gilbert's body by her daughter-in-law, Ezmi Clifford, turned the community's suspicion on her. Days later, Gilbert's adopted son, Kenneth, arrived from Venezuela, only to find his wife the prime suspect. The shadow of suspicion cast over Ezmi led to social ostracism, further compounding the tragedy.
The Trail of Violence Continues
After the murder of Daisy Gilbert, McCray vanished from violent crime until the summer of 1957. On July 1, he struck again in Washington Court House, Ohio. With another accomplice, McCray took the life of 86-year-old Sarah DeWitt, allegedly with a hammer, though authorities suspected a hatchet. The duo escaped with $250, leaving another community in shock. Independence Day found McCray back in Alabama, but soon he was on the move again. By July 4, he was in Atlanta, Georgia, working for 79-year-old Carrie B. Hanbury. The job turned deadly when McCray attacked her son, Robert, with a shovel, and viciously assaulted Carrie with a flashlight and screwdriver. Believing her dead, he fled with $90, two razors, and shirts, leaving behind a scene of horror. Remarkably, Carrie survived, though her life was forever changed by physical and mental scars.
A Brush with Justice
Pennsylvania became the next stop on McCray's lawless journey. In Freedom Township, July 1957, he was caught after stealing watches and a constable's badge, thanks to Roscoe Shindledecker's determination. Convicted of burglary and larceny, McCray served a year-long sentence, but was paroled in January 1958.
Virginia: The Final Chapter
Shortly after his release, McCray's dark path led him to Colonial Heights, Virginia. On January 9, he broke into the home of 74-year-old Virginia Maclin Stevens. When confronted, McCray brutally ended her life with a knife, severing her spinal cord and inflicting multiple wounds. Despite being questioned, McCray initially evaded justice, passing two polygraph tests that shifted suspicion to Stevens' son, Walter, who was eventually cleared.
February saw McCray residing in Ladysmith, Virginia, where he met Rush Reager. Together, they plotted against 49-year-old Jeanette M. Griffin. On February 2, Reager tied her up, and McCray joined him to commit rape and murder. Griffin's body was discovered by her son, Jimmy, the following morning.
Arrest and Confession
The aftermath of Griffin's murder led to McCray's arrest, thanks to witness accounts and his suspiciously new pair of pants. Under interrogation, McCray confessed to multiple murders, including the Stevens case, shocking investigators. Despite limited details and unnamed accomplices, his pattern of crime became evident. Although suspected in other Atlanta-area crimes, evidence was insufficient for further charges.
The Trial and Execution
McCray's fate was sealed in Virginia. Charged with murder, he underwent a psychiatric evaluation, deemed sane, and stood trial. Pleading not guilty, he faced overwhelming evidence, including testimony from Griffin's son and his former housemates. Confronted with his actions, McCray admitted to assaulting and robbing Griffin, but denied rape and was unsure of causing her death. The jury found him guilty, sentencing him to death. His response to the verdict was a resigned acceptance, and his attorney opted against appeals.
On April 10, 1958, Governor J. Lindsay Almond denied McCray's clemency plea, setting his execution for April 18. That day, McCray met his end in the electric chair at Virginia State Penitentiary. Two months later, Rush Reager received a life sentence for his role in Griffin's rape.
Sources
For further reading and details, please visit the Wikipedia article on Jeremiah McCray.
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First Murder Committed
Jeremiah McCray murders 73-year-old Daisy F. Gilbert during a robbery in Alabama.
Second Murder Committed
McCray kills 86-year-old Sarah DeWitt in Ohio during a burglary.
Attack on Carrie B. Hanbury
McCray attacks and severely injures 79-year-old Carrie B. Hanbury in Georgia.
Final Murder Committed
McCray murders 49-year-old Jeanette M. Griffin in Virginia after a robbery.
Arrested
Jeremiah McCray is arrested for the murder of Jeanette M. Griffin.
Confessions Made
During interrogation, McCray confesses to four other murders, including the one he was cleared of.
Sentenced to Death
McCray is found guilty of murder and sentenced to death by electric chair.
Clemency Denied
Governor J. Lindsay Almond denies McCray's plea for clemency.
Executed
Jeremiah McCray is executed by electrocution at the Virginia State Penitentiary.
Jeremiah McCray, an American serial killer, committed five murders across Alabama, Ohio, Georgia, and Virginia between 1956 and 1958, primarily targeting elderly women during burglaries. His criminal activities began on February 27, 1956, with the brutal murder of 73-year-old Daisy F. Gilbert in Anniston, Alabama, followed by the killing of 86-year-old Sarah DeWitt in Ohio on July 1, 1957. McCray was apprehended on February 3, 1958, and subsequently convicted of first-degree murder in Virginia for his final crime, leading to his execution by electrocution on April 18, 1958, at the age of 23. Significant evidence included witness testimonies and physical evidence linking him to the crime scenes, which ultimately secured his conviction and death sentence.
Jeremiah McCray is believed to have targeted elderly women during his robberies, which led to the brutal murders of five victims across multiple states. Some speculate that his difficult upbringing and lack of education contributed to his violent criminal behavior. Additionally, there is discussion about whether he acted alone or had accomplices in some of his crimes.
The Haunting Crimes of Jeremiah McCray: A True Crime Tale
The Early Life of Jeremiah McCray
In the small town of Buchanan, Georgia, 1935 marked the birth of Jeremiah McCray. He was one of many children born to black sharecroppers, in a family that may have numbered up to twenty siblings. Education was a brief chapter in McCray's life; he attended school for approximately three years, yet never mastered reading or writing. Lacking academic skills, McCray drifted into the life of an itinerant farm laborer. Occasionally, when desperation struck, he resorted to theft and burglary to make ends meet.
The Beginning of a Murderous Path
The year was 1956, and McCray found himself laboring on a farm in Talladega, Alabama. An acquaintance whispered of easy money, luring him into a life-altering decision. On February 27, McCray and his new partner in crime ventured to Anniston. There, 73-year-old Daisy F. Gilbert became their first known victim. Beaten to death with sticks, she was left lifeless as McCray and his accomplice stole $80 and a pistol before fleeing. The grisly discovery of Gilbert's body by her daughter-in-law, Ezmi Clifford, turned the community's suspicion on her. Days later, Gilbert's adopted son, Kenneth, arrived from Venezuela, only to find his wife the prime suspect. The shadow of suspicion cast over Ezmi led to social ostracism, further compounding the tragedy.
The Trail of Violence Continues
After the murder of Daisy Gilbert, McCray vanished from violent crime until the summer of 1957. On July 1, he struck again in Washington Court House, Ohio. With another accomplice, McCray took the life of 86-year-old Sarah DeWitt, allegedly with a hammer, though authorities suspected a hatchet. The duo escaped with $250, leaving another community in shock. Independence Day found McCray back in Alabama, but soon he was on the move again. By July 4, he was in Atlanta, Georgia, working for 79-year-old Carrie B. Hanbury. The job turned deadly when McCray attacked her son, Robert, with a shovel, and viciously assaulted Carrie with a flashlight and screwdriver. Believing her dead, he fled with $90, two razors, and shirts, leaving behind a scene of horror. Remarkably, Carrie survived, though her life was forever changed by physical and mental scars.
A Brush with Justice
Pennsylvania became the next stop on McCray's lawless journey. In Freedom Township, July 1957, he was caught after stealing watches and a constable's badge, thanks to Roscoe Shindledecker's determination. Convicted of burglary and larceny, McCray served a year-long sentence, but was paroled in January 1958.
Virginia: The Final Chapter
Shortly after his release, McCray's dark path led him to Colonial Heights, Virginia. On January 9, he broke into the home of 74-year-old Virginia Maclin Stevens. When confronted, McCray brutally ended her life with a knife, severing her spinal cord and inflicting multiple wounds. Despite being questioned, McCray initially evaded justice, passing two polygraph tests that shifted suspicion to Stevens' son, Walter, who was eventually cleared.
February saw McCray residing in Ladysmith, Virginia, where he met Rush Reager. Together, they plotted against 49-year-old Jeanette M. Griffin. On February 2, Reager tied her up, and McCray joined him to commit rape and murder. Griffin's body was discovered by her son, Jimmy, the following morning.
Arrest and Confession
The aftermath of Griffin's murder led to McCray's arrest, thanks to witness accounts and his suspiciously new pair of pants. Under interrogation, McCray confessed to multiple murders, including the Stevens case, shocking investigators. Despite limited details and unnamed accomplices, his pattern of crime became evident. Although suspected in other Atlanta-area crimes, evidence was insufficient for further charges.
The Trial and Execution
McCray's fate was sealed in Virginia. Charged with murder, he underwent a psychiatric evaluation, deemed sane, and stood trial. Pleading not guilty, he faced overwhelming evidence, including testimony from Griffin's son and his former housemates. Confronted with his actions, McCray admitted to assaulting and robbing Griffin, but denied rape and was unsure of causing her death. The jury found him guilty, sentencing him to death. His response to the verdict was a resigned acceptance, and his attorney opted against appeals.
On April 10, 1958, Governor J. Lindsay Almond denied McCray's clemency plea, setting his execution for April 18. That day, McCray met his end in the electric chair at Virginia State Penitentiary. Two months later, Rush Reager received a life sentence for his role in Griffin's rape.
Sources
For further reading and details, please visit the Wikipedia article on Jeremiah McCray.
No Recent News
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No Evidence Submitted
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Join the discussion
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First Murder Committed
Jeremiah McCray murders 73-year-old Daisy F. Gilbert during a robbery in Alabama.
Second Murder Committed
McCray kills 86-year-old Sarah DeWitt in Ohio during a burglary.
Attack on Carrie B. Hanbury
McCray attacks and severely injures 79-year-old Carrie B. Hanbury in Georgia.
Final Murder Committed
McCray murders 49-year-old Jeanette M. Griffin in Virginia after a robbery.
Arrested
Jeremiah McCray is arrested for the murder of Jeanette M. Griffin.
Confessions Made
During interrogation, McCray confesses to four other murders, including the one he was cleared of.
Sentenced to Death
McCray is found guilty of murder and sentenced to death by electric chair.
Clemency Denied
Governor J. Lindsay Almond denies McCray's plea for clemency.
Executed
Jeremiah McCray is executed by electrocution at the Virginia State Penitentiary.