Joseph Nissensohn
American Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
California, United States
TIME PERIOD
1981-1989
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
Joseph Nissensohn, an American serial killer, was arrested on September 5, 1990, in Atlanta, Georgia, for the murder of 46-year-old Sally Jo Tsaggaris, who was killed on May 3, 1989, in Tillicum, Washington. Nissensohn, born December 31, 1950, has been linked to at least three additional murders in California between 1981 and 1989, leading to multiple convictions for first-degree murder and a death sentence in California. Key evidence includes testimony from his wife, Cheryl Rose, who described Nissensohn's violent behavior during drug-fueled encounters with victims, including the disposal of Tsaggaris's body. Nissensohn currently resides on death row at San Quentin State Prison, with ongoing investigations into potential additional victims across multiple states.
Joseph Nissensohn is believed to have committed multiple murders across several states, with some speculation suggesting he may be linked to additional unsolved cases in Oklahoma and Nevada. Investigators and the public theorize that his early exposure to criminal activity through his father's police work may have influenced his violent behavior. There are also theories regarding his choice of victims, primarily sex workers, indicating a possible pattern in his selection process.
The Haunting Crimes of Joseph Nissensohn
On December 31, 1950, Joseph Michael Nissensohn entered the world in North Carolina, seemingly destined for a life more ordinary than the one he ultimately led. His early years unfolded in the bustling streets of New York City, where his father served as a detective embroiled in the infamous French Connection case. Despite this intriguing backdrop, young Joseph's life took a darker turn. After a stint in the Marine Corps, Nissensohn set off on a journey across America, hitchhiking his way westward. Settling into a life as a truck driver in the late 1960s, his travels exposed him to the country's red-light districts, where he indulged in drugs and engaged with prostitutes. It was during this turbulent time that he met Cheryl Rose, whom he married on August 22, 1989.
The Murder of Sally Tsaggaris
The turning point in Joseph Nissensohn's life came on September 5, 1990, when authorities arrested him at a motel in Atlanta, Georgia. He was charged with the gruesome murder of Sally Jo Tsaggaris, a 46-year-old prostitute found dead on May 3, 1989, in Tillicum, Washington. According to Cheryl, who was living with Nissensohn and her son in the area, the couple's life was a haze of drug use. Nissensohn, a participant in BDSM, had lured Tsaggaris with the promise of sex. High on methamphetamines, Nissensohn tortured and humiliated her before stabbing her twice when she resisted. Cheryl claimed she helped dispose of the body before fleeing to South Lake Tahoe, California, with Nissensohn.
In South Lake Tahoe, Nissensohn crossed paths with Kathy Graves, a 15-year-old runaway. As Cheryl later recounted, Nissensohn and the teenager engaged in a drug-fueled sexual relationship. On August 10, 1989, Nissensohn drove Cheryl and Graves to a secluded area where, according to Cheryl, he assaulted and murdered the girl. Afterward, the couple relocated to Florida, where Nissensohn allegedly threatened Cheryl's life, fearing her testimony against him. Following a severe beating from a new boyfriend, Cheryl found refuge in a homeless shelter, where she recounted to police the murders of Graves and Tsaggaris, implicating Nissensohn in three other killings in Oklahoma and Nevada.
The Legal Repercussions
By October 17, 1991, Joseph Nissensohn was found guilty of Sally Tsaggaris's murder and received a 25-year sentence in Washington State. However, the story didn't end there. In late 2007, Nissensohn, nearing parole, faced new charges in El Dorado County, California, for Kathy Graves's murder. This development delayed his release and led to his transfer to Pierce County Jail, pending extradition.
In October 2008, further charges emerged from the Monterey County Prosecutor's Office. Nissensohn stood accused of the murders of Tammy Lynn Jarschke, 13, and Tanja Jones, 14, who had vanished from a Seaside foster home on June 24, 1981. Their tragic fates were revealed when loggers discovered Jones's decomposed body in a forest on September 9, 1981, tied with electrical wire. Nearby, Jarschke's skeletal remains were found.
Trial and Sentencing
The legal proceedings gained momentum in February 2010, as a preliminary hearing sought to assess the evidence against Nissensohn. Key testimony came from Jesse Prieto, Nissensohn's former friend, who claimed they picked up the girls in 1981. According to Prieto, Nissensohn drove them to a wooded area, where they were assaulted and strangled. Despite his attorneys' efforts to dismiss the case due to insufficient evidence, the trial was set for July. The prosecution successfully consolidated the cases into a singular trial, despite the defense's objections.
November 2013 marked the start of Joseph Nissensohn's trial. The prosecution relied heavily on testimony from Prieto and Cheryl, both of whom had died before the trial commenced. Transcripts of their accounts were presented, despite Nissensohn's insistence on his innocence and claims that Cheryl had murdered Graves. The defense sought to discredit Cheryl's testimony due to inconsistencies in her narrative, but the jury delivered a guilty verdict in late October 2013. Subsequently, on December 11, 2013, Nissensohn was sentenced to death.
Current Status
As of April 2023, Joseph Nissensohn resides on California's death row, confined within the walls of San Quentin State Prison. His chilling narrative remains a haunting testament to the dark journey that ultimately led him there.
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First Known Murders
Tammy Lynn Jarschke and Tanja Jones go missing from a foster home in Seaside, California.
Murder of Sally Tsaggaris
Joseph Nissensohn murders prostitute Sally Jo Tsaggaris in Tillicum, Washington.
Arrest of Nissensohn
Nissensohn is arrested at a motel in Atlanta, Georgia, for the murder of Sally Tsaggaris.
Conviction in Washington
Nissensohn is found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
New Charges Filed
California files charges against Nissensohn for the murder of Kathy Graves.
Extradition to California
Nissensohn is extradited from Washington to California to face new murder charges.
Guilty Verdict
Nissensohn is found guilty of three counts of murder related to the deaths of Jarschke and Jones.
Death Sentence
Nissensohn is sentenced to death for his crimes in California.
Current Status
Nissensohn remains on death row at San Quentin State Prison.
Joseph Nissensohn, an American serial killer, was arrested on September 5, 1990, in Atlanta, Georgia, for the murder of 46-year-old Sally Jo Tsaggaris, who was killed on May 3, 1989, in Tillicum, Washington. Nissensohn, born December 31, 1950, has been linked to at least three additional murders in California between 1981 and 1989, leading to multiple convictions for first-degree murder and a death sentence in California. Key evidence includes testimony from his wife, Cheryl Rose, who described Nissensohn's violent behavior during drug-fueled encounters with victims, including the disposal of Tsaggaris's body. Nissensohn currently resides on death row at San Quentin State Prison, with ongoing investigations into potential additional victims across multiple states.
Joseph Nissensohn is believed to have committed multiple murders across several states, with some speculation suggesting he may be linked to additional unsolved cases in Oklahoma and Nevada. Investigators and the public theorize that his early exposure to criminal activity through his father's police work may have influenced his violent behavior. There are also theories regarding his choice of victims, primarily sex workers, indicating a possible pattern in his selection process.
The Haunting Crimes of Joseph Nissensohn
On December 31, 1950, Joseph Michael Nissensohn entered the world in North Carolina, seemingly destined for a life more ordinary than the one he ultimately led. His early years unfolded in the bustling streets of New York City, where his father served as a detective embroiled in the infamous French Connection case. Despite this intriguing backdrop, young Joseph's life took a darker turn. After a stint in the Marine Corps, Nissensohn set off on a journey across America, hitchhiking his way westward. Settling into a life as a truck driver in the late 1960s, his travels exposed him to the country's red-light districts, where he indulged in drugs and engaged with prostitutes. It was during this turbulent time that he met Cheryl Rose, whom he married on August 22, 1989.
The Murder of Sally Tsaggaris
The turning point in Joseph Nissensohn's life came on September 5, 1990, when authorities arrested him at a motel in Atlanta, Georgia. He was charged with the gruesome murder of Sally Jo Tsaggaris, a 46-year-old prostitute found dead on May 3, 1989, in Tillicum, Washington. According to Cheryl, who was living with Nissensohn and her son in the area, the couple's life was a haze of drug use. Nissensohn, a participant in BDSM, had lured Tsaggaris with the promise of sex. High on methamphetamines, Nissensohn tortured and humiliated her before stabbing her twice when she resisted. Cheryl claimed she helped dispose of the body before fleeing to South Lake Tahoe, California, with Nissensohn.
In South Lake Tahoe, Nissensohn crossed paths with Kathy Graves, a 15-year-old runaway. As Cheryl later recounted, Nissensohn and the teenager engaged in a drug-fueled sexual relationship. On August 10, 1989, Nissensohn drove Cheryl and Graves to a secluded area where, according to Cheryl, he assaulted and murdered the girl. Afterward, the couple relocated to Florida, where Nissensohn allegedly threatened Cheryl's life, fearing her testimony against him. Following a severe beating from a new boyfriend, Cheryl found refuge in a homeless shelter, where she recounted to police the murders of Graves and Tsaggaris, implicating Nissensohn in three other killings in Oklahoma and Nevada.
The Legal Repercussions
By October 17, 1991, Joseph Nissensohn was found guilty of Sally Tsaggaris's murder and received a 25-year sentence in Washington State. However, the story didn't end there. In late 2007, Nissensohn, nearing parole, faced new charges in El Dorado County, California, for Kathy Graves's murder. This development delayed his release and led to his transfer to Pierce County Jail, pending extradition.
In October 2008, further charges emerged from the Monterey County Prosecutor's Office. Nissensohn stood accused of the murders of Tammy Lynn Jarschke, 13, and Tanja Jones, 14, who had vanished from a Seaside foster home on June 24, 1981. Their tragic fates were revealed when loggers discovered Jones's decomposed body in a forest on September 9, 1981, tied with electrical wire. Nearby, Jarschke's skeletal remains were found.
Trial and Sentencing
The legal proceedings gained momentum in February 2010, as a preliminary hearing sought to assess the evidence against Nissensohn. Key testimony came from Jesse Prieto, Nissensohn's former friend, who claimed they picked up the girls in 1981. According to Prieto, Nissensohn drove them to a wooded area, where they were assaulted and strangled. Despite his attorneys' efforts to dismiss the case due to insufficient evidence, the trial was set for July. The prosecution successfully consolidated the cases into a singular trial, despite the defense's objections.
November 2013 marked the start of Joseph Nissensohn's trial. The prosecution relied heavily on testimony from Prieto and Cheryl, both of whom had died before the trial commenced. Transcripts of their accounts were presented, despite Nissensohn's insistence on his innocence and claims that Cheryl had murdered Graves. The defense sought to discredit Cheryl's testimony due to inconsistencies in her narrative, but the jury delivered a guilty verdict in late October 2013. Subsequently, on December 11, 2013, Nissensohn was sentenced to death.
Current Status
As of April 2023, Joseph Nissensohn resides on California's death row, confined within the walls of San Quentin State Prison. His chilling narrative remains a haunting testament to the dark journey that ultimately led him there.
Sources
No Recent News
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No Evidence Submitted
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Join the discussion
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First Known Murders
Tammy Lynn Jarschke and Tanja Jones go missing from a foster home in Seaside, California.
Murder of Sally Tsaggaris
Joseph Nissensohn murders prostitute Sally Jo Tsaggaris in Tillicum, Washington.
Arrest of Nissensohn
Nissensohn is arrested at a motel in Atlanta, Georgia, for the murder of Sally Tsaggaris.
Conviction in Washington
Nissensohn is found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
New Charges Filed
California files charges against Nissensohn for the murder of Kathy Graves.
Extradition to California
Nissensohn is extradited from Washington to California to face new murder charges.
Guilty Verdict
Nissensohn is found guilty of three counts of murder related to the deaths of Jarschke and Jones.
Death Sentence
Nissensohn is sentenced to death for his crimes in California.
Current Status
Nissensohn remains on death row at San Quentin State Prison.