Jerry Walter McFadden
Texas Serial Killer Execution Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Smith County, Texas
TIME PERIOD
1973-1986
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
On May 4, 1986, Gerald "Jerry" Walter McFadden kidnapped three individuals—20-year-old Gena Turner, 19-year-old Bryan Boone, and 18-year-old Suzanne Harrison—during a trip to Lake Hawkins in Smith County, Texas. McFadden raped and strangled Harrison, disposing of her body approximately 25 miles from the lake, while Boone and Turner were later found shot to death. Following his arrest on May 6, 1986, evidence including matching ammunition and DNA linked McFadden to the murders. He escaped custody on July 9, 1986, but was recaptured two days later, ultimately receiving a death sentence in 1987 and being executed by lethal injection on October 14, 1999. Subsequent DNA analysis in 2019 connected him to a 1979 murder in Oregon, raising concerns about additional unsolved cases.
After his execution, authorities speculated that Jerry Walter McFadden could have been responsible for additional murders beyond the confirmed cases due to the nature of his crimes and his history as a serial killer. The discovery of DNA evidence linking him to a 1979 murder in Oregon raised further questions about the possibility of more victims across different states. Some believe that his violent tendencies and criminal background suggest he may have committed other unsolved cases during his active years.
The Dark Legacy of Jerry Walter McFadden
The Making of "The Animal"
Born on March 21, 1948, in Haskell County, Texas, Gerald Walter McFadden would become infamous under a chilling moniker: "The Animal." His life would spiral into a series of heinous acts that terrorized communities and left a trail of devastation. McFadden's criminal activities spanned over a decade, culminating in a notorious manhunt and eventual execution.
A Life of Crime
McFadden's criminal history was marred by violent sexual offenses. In 1973, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for two counts of rape, though he was paroled in December 1978 after serving only a fraction of his sentence. Less than a year after his release, on July 24, 1979, McFadden committed a crime that would remain unsolved for decades. Anna Marie Hlavka, a young woman in Portland, Oregon, was found dead by her sister in her apartment. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled with an electric cord from her clock radio. It wasn't until January 2019 that DNA evidence linked McFadden to this cold case murder through genetic genealogy.
McFadden's violent tendencies did not abate. In 1979, he was convicted of aggravated sexual assault for the kidnapping and rape of an 18-year-old woman at knifepoint. Despite this conviction, he was released on parole again in July 1985, having served less than five years of a 15-year sentence.
The Smith County Tragedy
May 4, 1986, marked a brutal chapter in McFadden's life. On this day, he kidnapped three young individuals—20-year-old Gena Turner, 19-year-old Bryan Boone, and 18-year-old Suzanne Harrison—during their visit to Lake Hawkins, north of Tyler, Texas. McFadden's brutality knew no bounds; he raped and strangled Suzanne Harrison, leaving her body in a park some 25 miles from the lake. Her lifeless form was discovered the following day.
Prompted by a report from a couple he had also attacked by the lake, authorities arrested McFadden on May 6. Three days later, the bodies of Boone and Turner were found, each bearing gunshot wounds. Witnesses placed McFadden near the crime scene, and ammunition in his possession matched that used in the murders. DNA evidence was collected from the victims, further sealing his fate.
A Fugitive's Brief Freedom
In a brazen escape on July 9, 1986, McFadden overpowered Kenneth Mayfield, a jailer, and took another guard, Rosalie Williams, hostage, fleeing from the Upshur County jail. His escape triggered one of the largest manhunts in Texas history. Two days later, law enforcement captured McFadden without a shot fired, finding him scratched and dirty in a vacant house bathroom near where his hostage had earlier escaped. For this bold jail break, McFadden was sentenced in August 1986 to life imprisonment.
Justice and Execution
Justice for the heinous crimes against Suzanne Harrison, Gena Turner, and Bryan Boone came swiftly. In July 1987, McFadden was sentenced to death for their murders. His conviction and sentence were upheld by the Texas Appeals Court in November 1993. After exhausting all appeals, McFadden met his end on October 14, 1999, executed by lethal injection at the Huntsville Unit in Texas.
Unveiling the Past
Years after McFadden's execution, the truth of his earlier crimes came to light. In January 2019, DNA evidence definitively linked him to the unsolved murder of Anna Marie Hlavka in Oregon. This revelation opened the possibility that McFadden may have committed other, yet undiscovered, atrocities.
Legacy of Terror
McFadden's legacy is a chilling reminder of the violence one individual can inflict upon a community. His crimes spanned from Oregon to Texas, claiming at least four confirmed victims. His execution marked the end of a dark chapter, but his story continues to serve as a cautionary tale of justice delayed and the devastating impact of early parole for violent offenders.
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 Murder Committed
Jerry McFadden murders Anna Marie Hlavka in Portland, Oregon.
Kidnapping and Murders
McFadden kidnaps and murders Suzanne Harrison, Gena Turner, and Bryan Boone in Texas.
Arrest Made
McFadden is arrested after a police report from a couple he attacked.
Jail Escape
McFadden escapes from jail, taking a jailer hostage, leading to a massive manhunt.
Recaptured
McFadden is captured two days after his escape.
Sentenced to Death
McFadden is sentenced to death for the murders of Suzanne Harrison, Gena Turner, and Bryan Boone.
Appeal Denied
Texas Appeals Court affirms McFadden's conviction and death sentence.
Execution
Jerry McFadden is executed by lethal injection in Texas.
Cold Case Solved
DNA links McFadden to the 1979 murder of Anna Marie Hlavka.
On May 4, 1986, Gerald "Jerry" Walter McFadden kidnapped three individuals—20-year-old Gena Turner, 19-year-old Bryan Boone, and 18-year-old Suzanne Harrison—during a trip to Lake Hawkins in Smith County, Texas. McFadden raped and strangled Harrison, disposing of her body approximately 25 miles from the lake, while Boone and Turner were later found shot to death. Following his arrest on May 6, 1986, evidence including matching ammunition and DNA linked McFadden to the murders. He escaped custody on July 9, 1986, but was recaptured two days later, ultimately receiving a death sentence in 1987 and being executed by lethal injection on October 14, 1999. Subsequent DNA analysis in 2019 connected him to a 1979 murder in Oregon, raising concerns about additional unsolved cases.
After his execution, authorities speculated that Jerry Walter McFadden could have been responsible for additional murders beyond the confirmed cases due to the nature of his crimes and his history as a serial killer. The discovery of DNA evidence linking him to a 1979 murder in Oregon raised further questions about the possibility of more victims across different states. Some believe that his violent tendencies and criminal background suggest he may have committed other unsolved cases during his active years.
The Dark Legacy of Jerry Walter McFadden
The Making of "The Animal"
Born on March 21, 1948, in Haskell County, Texas, Gerald Walter McFadden would become infamous under a chilling moniker: "The Animal." His life would spiral into a series of heinous acts that terrorized communities and left a trail of devastation. McFadden's criminal activities spanned over a decade, culminating in a notorious manhunt and eventual execution.
A Life of Crime
McFadden's criminal history was marred by violent sexual offenses. In 1973, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for two counts of rape, though he was paroled in December 1978 after serving only a fraction of his sentence. Less than a year after his release, on July 24, 1979, McFadden committed a crime that would remain unsolved for decades. Anna Marie Hlavka, a young woman in Portland, Oregon, was found dead by her sister in her apartment. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled with an electric cord from her clock radio. It wasn't until January 2019 that DNA evidence linked McFadden to this cold case murder through genetic genealogy.
McFadden's violent tendencies did not abate. In 1979, he was convicted of aggravated sexual assault for the kidnapping and rape of an 18-year-old woman at knifepoint. Despite this conviction, he was released on parole again in July 1985, having served less than five years of a 15-year sentence.
The Smith County Tragedy
May 4, 1986, marked a brutal chapter in McFadden's life. On this day, he kidnapped three young individuals—20-year-old Gena Turner, 19-year-old Bryan Boone, and 18-year-old Suzanne Harrison—during their visit to Lake Hawkins, north of Tyler, Texas. McFadden's brutality knew no bounds; he raped and strangled Suzanne Harrison, leaving her body in a park some 25 miles from the lake. Her lifeless form was discovered the following day.
Prompted by a report from a couple he had also attacked by the lake, authorities arrested McFadden on May 6. Three days later, the bodies of Boone and Turner were found, each bearing gunshot wounds. Witnesses placed McFadden near the crime scene, and ammunition in his possession matched that used in the murders. DNA evidence was collected from the victims, further sealing his fate.
A Fugitive's Brief Freedom
In a brazen escape on July 9, 1986, McFadden overpowered Kenneth Mayfield, a jailer, and took another guard, Rosalie Williams, hostage, fleeing from the Upshur County jail. His escape triggered one of the largest manhunts in Texas history. Two days later, law enforcement captured McFadden without a shot fired, finding him scratched and dirty in a vacant house bathroom near where his hostage had earlier escaped. For this bold jail break, McFadden was sentenced in August 1986 to life imprisonment.
Justice and Execution
Justice for the heinous crimes against Suzanne Harrison, Gena Turner, and Bryan Boone came swiftly. In July 1987, McFadden was sentenced to death for their murders. His conviction and sentence were upheld by the Texas Appeals Court in November 1993. After exhausting all appeals, McFadden met his end on October 14, 1999, executed by lethal injection at the Huntsville Unit in Texas.
Unveiling the Past
Years after McFadden's execution, the truth of his earlier crimes came to light. In January 2019, DNA evidence definitively linked him to the unsolved murder of Anna Marie Hlavka in Oregon. This revelation opened the possibility that McFadden may have committed other, yet undiscovered, atrocities.
Legacy of Terror
McFadden's legacy is a chilling reminder of the violence one individual can inflict upon a community. His crimes spanned from Oregon to Texas, claiming at least four confirmed victims. His execution marked the end of a dark chapter, but his story continues to serve as a cautionary tale of justice delayed and the devastating impact of early parole for violent offenders.
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 Murder Committed
Jerry McFadden murders Anna Marie Hlavka in Portland, Oregon.
Kidnapping and Murders
McFadden kidnaps and murders Suzanne Harrison, Gena Turner, and Bryan Boone in Texas.
Arrest Made
McFadden is arrested after a police report from a couple he attacked.
Jail Escape
McFadden escapes from jail, taking a jailer hostage, leading to a massive manhunt.
Recaptured
McFadden is captured two days after his escape.
Sentenced to Death
McFadden is sentenced to death for the murders of Suzanne Harrison, Gena Turner, and Bryan Boone.
Appeal Denied
Texas Appeals Court affirms McFadden's conviction and death sentence.
Execution
Jerry McFadden is executed by lethal injection in Texas.
Cold Case Solved
DNA links McFadden to the 1979 murder of Anna Marie Hlavka.