John Price Hayter
American Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Lakeland, Florida
TIME PERIOD
1953-1986
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
John Price Hayter Jr. was an American serial killer who committed multiple murders between 1953 and 1986 in Texas and Florida. His criminal activities began with the stabbing of fellow inmate Leroy Oscar Martin on August 18, 1953, while serving a sentence for auto theft, resulting in a life sentence. After being paroled in 1974, Hayter kidnapped and murdered 17-year-old Linda Ruth Pibil in 1975, whose body was discovered near Fort Hood. He was apprehended for the final time in September 1986 and was serving multiple life sentences for his crimes until his death in prison on February 21, 1995. Significant evidence includes witness testimonies and forensic analysis linking Hayter to the murders, as well as his confession regarding the kidnapping and murder of Pibil.
John Price Hayter is believed to have killed multiple victims over three decades, with some theories suggesting he may have had accomplices or that there are unreported victims. Speculation exists around the possibility that his violent behavior was influenced by his criminal upbringing and experiences in prison, which may have contributed to his escalation into serial killing. Additionally, some community members theorize that his parole after serving a portion of his sentence may have allowed him the opportunity to commit further crimes.
The Sinister Trail of John Price Hayter
A Life of Crime
John Price Hayter Jr., born on September 28, 1933, in Waco, Texas, carved a dark path through the annals of American crime. His life was a cascade of criminal acts spanning over three decades, leaving a legacy of fear and despair. From his early days behind bars for auto theft to his final conviction for murder, Hayter's criminal journey threaded through Texas and Florida, leaving three innocent victims in its wake. He was sentenced to multiple life terms and died on February 21, 1995, behind bars in Jacksonville, Florida.
The First Blood: Leroy Martin
In the autumn of 1952, a young Hayter, just 19 years old, embarked on his criminal career. He stole a 1951 Packard 200 from O. F. Jones in Austin, Texas, and drove it to a parking lot in his hometown of Waco. The law caught up with him quickly, and he found himself sentenced to two years in prison for automobile theft. Hayter was sent to the Ramsey Unit in Brazoria County to serve his time.
On August 18, 1953, while bailing hay at the prison, Hayter's volatile nature erupted. He got into a heated argument with fellow inmate Leroy Oscar Martin. In a flash of violence, Hayter stabbed Martin with a pitchfork, killing him instantly. Despite the lack of detailed information regarding his motive, Hayter was convicted of murder and received a life sentence, albeit with the possibility of parole.
A Brutal Encounter: Linda Pibil
After 21 years behind bars, Hayter was granted parole and returned to Waco. He attempted to reintegrate into society, finding employment at a machine shop. However, the lure of crime proved irresistible. Just two weeks after his release, Hayter attempted to rob a Robertson's Hams store in Abbott. The crime quickly escalated as he kidnapped the 17-year-old cashier, Linda Ruth Pibil. He drove her to a secluded area, brutally raped her, and then shot her, leaving her lifeless body near Fort Hood. Her remains were discovered by two soldiers.
Hayter's crime spree continued unabated. Posing as an electrician, he gained entry to a woman's home in Lacy Lakeview. Feigning concern over a power failure, he threatened the woman's baby with a switchblade and coerced her into accompanying him in her car. The woman's grandmother, sensing something amiss, alerted the authorities. A chase ensued, and the victim managed to escape the vehicle, which crashed into a police car. Hayter survived the crash and was arrested. Witnesses identified him as Pibil's abductor, and he was subsequently convicted for her murder and the Lacy Lakeview abduction. Once again, Hayter received a life sentence.
The Final Atrocity: Teena Ambrose
In June 1986, Hayter was released on parole once more, only to resume his life of crime. This time, he drifted across the country, committing thefts and burglaries to sustain himself. On September 15, he broke into the Lakeland, Florida, apartment of 80-year-old Teena Ambrose. Hayter sexually assaulted and strangled her with a plastic tie from a rain bonnet. He then stole her 1966 Plymouth Fury, fleeing to Delray Beach, where he abandoned the car. His crime spree continued with a home invasion of an elderly couple, whom he bound and threatened before stealing their 1986 Mercury Marquis.
Hayter's reckless journey ended in Grants, New Mexico, where local authorities arrested him for auto theft. During an interrogation, he confessed to the Florida crimes. His identity was confirmed by a distinctive tattoo of Texas on his forearm.
Trial and Conclusion
Hayter's trial for the murder of Teena Ambrose took place in the historic Courtroom 1 in Bartow, Florida. This courtroom, notorious for its emotional cases and poor acoustics, was set to host its final trial before renovation. During the proceedings, a tape was played where Hayter recounted his actions on the day of Ambrose's murder. He claimed he intended only to rob the house and that Ambrose's death was accidental. However, Dr. James Holimon, a forensic medical examiner, testified that the tight restraints and gags used on Ambrose were deliberate, leading to her death by asphyxiation.
Despite the potential for a death sentence, Hayter received another life imprisonment verdict. He remained indifferent as the guilty verdict was read, his focus on chewing cough drops. Contrary to the desires of Ambrose's family, he was spared execution and lived the rest of his days in prison until his death in 1995.
Sources
- "John Hayter Given Sentence Of Two Years." Waco Tribune-Herald, January 9, 1953.
- "Wacoan Charged In Stab Murder On Prison Farm." Waco Tribune-Herald, August 19, 1953.
- W.S. Foster. "Rape-Murder Averted By Alert Policemen." The Waco Citizen, September 5, 1974.
- Cheryl Nordby Schmidt. "Tattoo ties suspect to Lakeland slaying." The Tampa Tribune, September 23, 1986.
- Cheryl Nordby Schmidt. "Historic Courtroom 1 to host last murder trial." Tampa Tribune, February 14, 1987.
- Cheryl Nordby Schmidt. "Taped conversation describes slaying." Tampa Tribune, February 18, 1987.
- Cheryl Nordby Schmidt. "Neck bonds broke victim's larynx bone." Tampa Tribune, February 19, 1987.
- Cheryl Nordby Schmidt. "Drifter guilty of strangling Polk woman." Tampa Tribune, February 20, 1987.
For more detailed information, visit Wikipedia's article on John Price Hayter.
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First Murder Committed
John Price Hayter stabs fellow inmate Leroy Martin to death during an argument.
Kidnapping and Murder
Hayter kidnaps and murders 17-year-old Linda Ruth Pibil after a robbery attempt.
Murder of Teena Ambrose
Hayter breaks into Teena Ambrose's apartment, sexually assaults, and strangles her.
Arrest in Florida
Hayter is arrested for auto theft and confesses to the murder of Teena Ambrose.
Guilty Verdict
Hayter is found guilty of the murder of Teena Ambrose and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Death in Prison
John Price Hayter dies in prison while serving multiple life sentences.
John Price Hayter Jr. was an American serial killer who committed multiple murders between 1953 and 1986 in Texas and Florida. His criminal activities began with the stabbing of fellow inmate Leroy Oscar Martin on August 18, 1953, while serving a sentence for auto theft, resulting in a life sentence. After being paroled in 1974, Hayter kidnapped and murdered 17-year-old Linda Ruth Pibil in 1975, whose body was discovered near Fort Hood. He was apprehended for the final time in September 1986 and was serving multiple life sentences for his crimes until his death in prison on February 21, 1995. Significant evidence includes witness testimonies and forensic analysis linking Hayter to the murders, as well as his confession regarding the kidnapping and murder of Pibil.
John Price Hayter is believed to have killed multiple victims over three decades, with some theories suggesting he may have had accomplices or that there are unreported victims. Speculation exists around the possibility that his violent behavior was influenced by his criminal upbringing and experiences in prison, which may have contributed to his escalation into serial killing. Additionally, some community members theorize that his parole after serving a portion of his sentence may have allowed him the opportunity to commit further crimes.
The Sinister Trail of John Price Hayter
A Life of Crime
John Price Hayter Jr., born on September 28, 1933, in Waco, Texas, carved a dark path through the annals of American crime. His life was a cascade of criminal acts spanning over three decades, leaving a legacy of fear and despair. From his early days behind bars for auto theft to his final conviction for murder, Hayter's criminal journey threaded through Texas and Florida, leaving three innocent victims in its wake. He was sentenced to multiple life terms and died on February 21, 1995, behind bars in Jacksonville, Florida.
The First Blood: Leroy Martin
In the autumn of 1952, a young Hayter, just 19 years old, embarked on his criminal career. He stole a 1951 Packard 200 from O. F. Jones in Austin, Texas, and drove it to a parking lot in his hometown of Waco. The law caught up with him quickly, and he found himself sentenced to two years in prison for automobile theft. Hayter was sent to the Ramsey Unit in Brazoria County to serve his time.
On August 18, 1953, while bailing hay at the prison, Hayter's volatile nature erupted. He got into a heated argument with fellow inmate Leroy Oscar Martin. In a flash of violence, Hayter stabbed Martin with a pitchfork, killing him instantly. Despite the lack of detailed information regarding his motive, Hayter was convicted of murder and received a life sentence, albeit with the possibility of parole.
A Brutal Encounter: Linda Pibil
After 21 years behind bars, Hayter was granted parole and returned to Waco. He attempted to reintegrate into society, finding employment at a machine shop. However, the lure of crime proved irresistible. Just two weeks after his release, Hayter attempted to rob a Robertson's Hams store in Abbott. The crime quickly escalated as he kidnapped the 17-year-old cashier, Linda Ruth Pibil. He drove her to a secluded area, brutally raped her, and then shot her, leaving her lifeless body near Fort Hood. Her remains were discovered by two soldiers.
Hayter's crime spree continued unabated. Posing as an electrician, he gained entry to a woman's home in Lacy Lakeview. Feigning concern over a power failure, he threatened the woman's baby with a switchblade and coerced her into accompanying him in her car. The woman's grandmother, sensing something amiss, alerted the authorities. A chase ensued, and the victim managed to escape the vehicle, which crashed into a police car. Hayter survived the crash and was arrested. Witnesses identified him as Pibil's abductor, and he was subsequently convicted for her murder and the Lacy Lakeview abduction. Once again, Hayter received a life sentence.
The Final Atrocity: Teena Ambrose
In June 1986, Hayter was released on parole once more, only to resume his life of crime. This time, he drifted across the country, committing thefts and burglaries to sustain himself. On September 15, he broke into the Lakeland, Florida, apartment of 80-year-old Teena Ambrose. Hayter sexually assaulted and strangled her with a plastic tie from a rain bonnet. He then stole her 1966 Plymouth Fury, fleeing to Delray Beach, where he abandoned the car. His crime spree continued with a home invasion of an elderly couple, whom he bound and threatened before stealing their 1986 Mercury Marquis.
Hayter's reckless journey ended in Grants, New Mexico, where local authorities arrested him for auto theft. During an interrogation, he confessed to the Florida crimes. His identity was confirmed by a distinctive tattoo of Texas on his forearm.
Trial and Conclusion
Hayter's trial for the murder of Teena Ambrose took place in the historic Courtroom 1 in Bartow, Florida. This courtroom, notorious for its emotional cases and poor acoustics, was set to host its final trial before renovation. During the proceedings, a tape was played where Hayter recounted his actions on the day of Ambrose's murder. He claimed he intended only to rob the house and that Ambrose's death was accidental. However, Dr. James Holimon, a forensic medical examiner, testified that the tight restraints and gags used on Ambrose were deliberate, leading to her death by asphyxiation.
Despite the potential for a death sentence, Hayter received another life imprisonment verdict. He remained indifferent as the guilty verdict was read, his focus on chewing cough drops. Contrary to the desires of Ambrose's family, he was spared execution and lived the rest of his days in prison until his death in 1995.
Sources
- "John Hayter Given Sentence Of Two Years." Waco Tribune-Herald, January 9, 1953.
- "Wacoan Charged In Stab Murder On Prison Farm." Waco Tribune-Herald, August 19, 1953.
- W.S. Foster. "Rape-Murder Averted By Alert Policemen." The Waco Citizen, September 5, 1974.
- Cheryl Nordby Schmidt. "Tattoo ties suspect to Lakeland slaying." The Tampa Tribune, September 23, 1986.
- Cheryl Nordby Schmidt. "Historic Courtroom 1 to host last murder trial." Tampa Tribune, February 14, 1987.
- Cheryl Nordby Schmidt. "Taped conversation describes slaying." Tampa Tribune, February 18, 1987.
- Cheryl Nordby Schmidt. "Neck bonds broke victim's larynx bone." Tampa Tribune, February 19, 1987.
- Cheryl Nordby Schmidt. "Drifter guilty of strangling Polk woman." Tampa Tribune, February 20, 1987.
For more detailed information, visit Wikipedia's article on John Price Hayter.
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
John Price Hayter stabs fellow inmate Leroy Martin to death during an argument.
Kidnapping and Murder
Hayter kidnaps and murders 17-year-old Linda Ruth Pibil after a robbery attempt.
Murder of Teena Ambrose
Hayter breaks into Teena Ambrose's apartment, sexually assaults, and strangles her.
Arrest in Florida
Hayter is arrested for auto theft and confesses to the murder of Teena Ambrose.
Guilty Verdict
Hayter is found guilty of the murder of Teena Ambrose and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Death in Prison
John Price Hayter dies in prison while serving multiple life sentences.