Joseph Breslin
California Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
San Luis Obispo, California
TIME PERIOD
June 23-24, 1982
VICTIMS
2 confirmed
Breslin. Upon arrival, he confronted Breslin, who opened fire, resulting in a gunfight that left Breslin fatally wounded. The incident occurred on June 28, 1982, in Jackpot, Nevada. Breslin was subsequently transported to Magic Valley Memorial Hospital in Twin Falls, Idaho, where he died from his injuries later that day. Breslin was implicated in the double murder of Linda Sue Cain and her daughter Desiree in San Luis Obispo, California, just days prior to the confrontation with law enforcement. The case remains notable due to Breslin's violent history and the circumstances surrounding his death during an attempted apprehension.
Joseph Breslin is believed to have committed multiple murders, with speculation suggesting he may have been involved in additional unreported crimes during his time in mental institutions. Some theorize that his violent behavior was a result of untreated mental illness, which contributed to his criminal history. Additionally, there is a belief among some investigators that his connection with other inmates may have influenced his violent tendencies and criminal activities.
The Troubled Life and Violent End of Joseph Breslin
Background
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1950. Joseph Francis Breslin entered the world on May 21, destined for a life that would be marked by turmoil and tragedy. The whispers about his mental health began early, with a history of mental illness that would define much of his existence. In the turbulent 1960s, Breslin found himself confined to two mental institutions in Pennsylvania, places meant for treatment but which became the staging ground for his first known violent act. It was here, in 1968, that he committed his first murder, killing a fellow patient and attacking a nurse. However, the details of these incidents were shrouded in secrecy—hidden away under the veil of patient confidentiality.
Breslin's journey took a significant turn in 1975 when he was transferred to the California Men's Colony. It was here he met Douglas Cain, a fellow inmate who would unwittingly play a role in Breslin’s future crimes. Two years later, Breslin shot a man in the head with a shotgun. Miraculously, the victim survived, and a plea deal reduced Breslin’s charges to assault with a deadly weapon. He served a three-year prison sentence before returning to San Luis Obispo, California, to continue his troubled life.
The Double Murder
As June 1982 unfolded, Breslin's life spiraled into chaos. On the night of June 23, he visited the home of Linda Sue Cain, the wife of his former cellmate, Douglas Cain. What transpired next remains unclear, but the outcome was brutally evident. Breslin stabbed Linda to death and then strangled her eight-year-old daughter, Desiree. He callously moved their lifeless bodies to the bathroom and left behind a letter filled with incoherent ramblings, profanities, and a chilling admission of his desire to end his life. Stealing Linda's car, he fled the scene, heading towards Nevada.
The Escape and Final Stand
Breslin's escape was short-lived. As dawn broke on June 24, he crashed the stolen car into a ditch near Jackpot, Nevada. Stranded and desperate, he hitched a ride to the Little Salmon Creek camping area. There, kind-hearted campers offered aid, unaware of the danger they harbored. They advised him to wait for the police, unaware that Breslin was a fugitive with blood on his hands.
Denny Lawrence, a 49-year-old sheriff's deputy, responded to the call. After checking Breslin's license and seemingly confirming no injuries, Lawrence’s guard was down. As he filled out an accident report, Breslin took advantage of the moment, shooting Lawrence in the back of the head with a concealed .22 caliber pistol. Lawrence survived the initial shot, but Breslin, now armed with Lawrence’s revolver, unleashed a hail of bullets at the unsuspecting campers.
In a moment of chaos and courage, two brothers among the campers retrieved firearms from their camper vans and returned fire. Their bullets found their mark, striking Breslin four times in the chest and once in the leg. Breslin collapsed, and the campers quickly summoned medical aid.
The Aftermath
Joseph Breslin was rushed to Magic Valley Memorial Hospital in Twin Falls, Idaho. But the injuries proved fatal, and he died on June 28, 1982. Deputy Lawrence, meanwhile, was transported to St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise. He endured a coma for several days before emerging, permanently disabled, a condition that would remain until his death in 2012.
In the aftermath, authorities uncovered a chilling letter on Breslin’s body, a proclamation of his "New Year's resolution" to die before 1983, with instructions for his body to be thrown into a river. The registration of the crashed car led investigators back to Linda Cain, linking the recent murders to Breslin. The letters he left behind and his connection to the victims closed the case, yet left behind the enigma of his motives and the darkness of his mind.
Sources
For more information, visit the original Wikipedia article on Joseph Breslin.
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First Murder Committed
Joseph Breslin kills a fellow patient in a mental institution.
Transferred to California Men's Colony
Breslin is transferred to a prison in California, where he meets Douglas Cain.
Attempted Murder
Breslin shoots a man in the head but the victim survives; he receives a plea deal.
Double Murder
Breslin stabs Linda Sue Cain and strangles her daughter, Desiree, in their apartment.
Flees to Nevada
After the murders, Breslin steals Cain's car and heads towards Nevada.
Car Crash and Shootout
Breslin crashes the stolen car and engages in a shootout with law enforcement and campers.
Breslin Dies
Joseph Breslin succumbs to his injuries from the shootout in a hospital.
Case Closed
Authorities link Breslin to the double murder after finding a letter and confirm the case is closed.
Breslin. Upon arrival, he confronted Breslin, who opened fire, resulting in a gunfight that left Breslin fatally wounded. The incident occurred on June 28, 1982, in Jackpot, Nevada. Breslin was subsequently transported to Magic Valley Memorial Hospital in Twin Falls, Idaho, where he died from his injuries later that day. Breslin was implicated in the double murder of Linda Sue Cain and her daughter Desiree in San Luis Obispo, California, just days prior to the confrontation with law enforcement. The case remains notable due to Breslin's violent history and the circumstances surrounding his death during an attempted apprehension.
Joseph Breslin is believed to have committed multiple murders, with speculation suggesting he may have been involved in additional unreported crimes during his time in mental institutions. Some theorize that his violent behavior was a result of untreated mental illness, which contributed to his criminal history. Additionally, there is a belief among some investigators that his connection with other inmates may have influenced his violent tendencies and criminal activities.
The Troubled Life and Violent End of Joseph Breslin
Background
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1950. Joseph Francis Breslin entered the world on May 21, destined for a life that would be marked by turmoil and tragedy. The whispers about his mental health began early, with a history of mental illness that would define much of his existence. In the turbulent 1960s, Breslin found himself confined to two mental institutions in Pennsylvania, places meant for treatment but which became the staging ground for his first known violent act. It was here, in 1968, that he committed his first murder, killing a fellow patient and attacking a nurse. However, the details of these incidents were shrouded in secrecy—hidden away under the veil of patient confidentiality.
Breslin's journey took a significant turn in 1975 when he was transferred to the California Men's Colony. It was here he met Douglas Cain, a fellow inmate who would unwittingly play a role in Breslin’s future crimes. Two years later, Breslin shot a man in the head with a shotgun. Miraculously, the victim survived, and a plea deal reduced Breslin’s charges to assault with a deadly weapon. He served a three-year prison sentence before returning to San Luis Obispo, California, to continue his troubled life.
The Double Murder
As June 1982 unfolded, Breslin's life spiraled into chaos. On the night of June 23, he visited the home of Linda Sue Cain, the wife of his former cellmate, Douglas Cain. What transpired next remains unclear, but the outcome was brutally evident. Breslin stabbed Linda to death and then strangled her eight-year-old daughter, Desiree. He callously moved their lifeless bodies to the bathroom and left behind a letter filled with incoherent ramblings, profanities, and a chilling admission of his desire to end his life. Stealing Linda's car, he fled the scene, heading towards Nevada.
The Escape and Final Stand
Breslin's escape was short-lived. As dawn broke on June 24, he crashed the stolen car into a ditch near Jackpot, Nevada. Stranded and desperate, he hitched a ride to the Little Salmon Creek camping area. There, kind-hearted campers offered aid, unaware of the danger they harbored. They advised him to wait for the police, unaware that Breslin was a fugitive with blood on his hands.
Denny Lawrence, a 49-year-old sheriff's deputy, responded to the call. After checking Breslin's license and seemingly confirming no injuries, Lawrence’s guard was down. As he filled out an accident report, Breslin took advantage of the moment, shooting Lawrence in the back of the head with a concealed .22 caliber pistol. Lawrence survived the initial shot, but Breslin, now armed with Lawrence’s revolver, unleashed a hail of bullets at the unsuspecting campers.
In a moment of chaos and courage, two brothers among the campers retrieved firearms from their camper vans and returned fire. Their bullets found their mark, striking Breslin four times in the chest and once in the leg. Breslin collapsed, and the campers quickly summoned medical aid.
The Aftermath
Joseph Breslin was rushed to Magic Valley Memorial Hospital in Twin Falls, Idaho. But the injuries proved fatal, and he died on June 28, 1982. Deputy Lawrence, meanwhile, was transported to St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise. He endured a coma for several days before emerging, permanently disabled, a condition that would remain until his death in 2012.
In the aftermath, authorities uncovered a chilling letter on Breslin’s body, a proclamation of his "New Year's resolution" to die before 1983, with instructions for his body to be thrown into a river. The registration of the crashed car led investigators back to Linda Cain, linking the recent murders to Breslin. The letters he left behind and his connection to the victims closed the case, yet left behind the enigma of his motives and the darkness of his mind.
Sources
For more information, visit the original Wikipedia article on Joseph Breslin.
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
Joseph Breslin kills a fellow patient in a mental institution.
Transferred to California Men's Colony
Breslin is transferred to a prison in California, where he meets Douglas Cain.
Attempted Murder
Breslin shoots a man in the head but the victim survives; he receives a plea deal.
Double Murder
Breslin stabs Linda Sue Cain and strangles her daughter, Desiree, in their apartment.
Flees to Nevada
After the murders, Breslin steals Cain's car and heads towards Nevada.
Car Crash and Shootout
Breslin crashes the stolen car and engages in a shootout with law enforcement and campers.
Breslin Dies
Joseph Breslin succumbs to his injuries from the shootout in a hospital.
Case Closed
Authorities link Breslin to the double murder after finding a letter and confirm the case is closed.