Lee Roy Martin
Gaffney Strangler Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Gaffney, South Carolina
TIME PERIOD
1967-1968
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
Lee Roy Martin, known as the Gaffney Strangler, was an American serial killer who murdered four individuals, including two women and two girls, in Gaffney, South Carolina, between 1967 and 1968. The first victim, Annie Lucille Dedmond, was murdered on May 20, 1967, followed by Nancy Carol Parris and Nancy Christine Rhinehart in February 1968, and finally, Opal Dianne Buckson on February 13, 1968. Martin was apprehended on February 15, 1969, after he anonymously confessed to a local newspaper editor, providing details that led police to the victims' bodies. He was convicted of four counts of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, where he died from stab wounds on May 31, 1972, at the age of 35. Significant evidence included eyewitness accounts and Martin's own confessions, which played a crucial role in the investigation and subsequent conviction.
Lee Roy Martin is believed to have committed the murders of four victims, with speculation suggesting he may have been responsible for additional unsolved cases in the region. Some theorize that his background as a family man and employee at a textile mill may have played a role in his ability to evade suspicion for a time. Additionally, there is speculation that his anonymous tip to the local editor was an attempt to shift blame from himself, indicating a calculated nature to his actions.
The Gaffney Strangler: The Chilling Story of Lee Roy Martin
Introduction
In the late 1960s, the small town of Gaffney, South Carolina, was gripped by terror. The serene community became the hunting ground of a serial killer who prowled the streets, preying on unsuspecting women and girls. This is the story of Lee Roy Martin, infamously known as "The Gaffney Strangler," a man who would forever scar the town with his heinous crimes.
Background
Born on April 25, 1937, in Gaffney, Lee Roy Martin appeared to be an ordinary man. He worked at a textile mill in Cherokee County, was married, and had three children. His seemingly normal exterior masked the darkness that lay beneath—a darkness that would soon unravel a series of brutal murders.
A Trail of Tragedy
The nightmare began on May 20, 1967, when 32-year-old Annie Lucille Dedmond was found strangled and raped. Her husband, Roger Dedmond, bore the brunt of the blame and was convicted of her murder, receiving an 18-year prison sentence. Unbeknownst to the community, the real killer walked free, ready to strike again.
Nine months later, in February 1968, the town was rocked by another tragedy. Nancy Carol Parris, a 20-year-old woman, vanished after taking her dog for a walk. Her husband reported her missing, and soon after, her nude body was discovered on a riverbank beneath a bridge. Like Dedmond, she had been strangled and raped.
Just days after Parris's disappearance, 14-year-old Nancy Christine Rhinehart was found buried under a brush pile, with one foot protruding from the earth—a chilling sight that would haunt the investigators. She, too, was strangled and raped.
Then came the audacious phone call on February 8, 1968. The editor of The Gaffney Ledger, Bill Gibbons, received an anonymous tip. The caller, who identified himself as the killer, provided directions to where two of the victims' bodies could be found. The voice on the line claimed responsibility for Annie Dedmond's murder, asserting that her husband was innocent. Gibbons relayed the information to the police, who confirmed the grim discovery of Parris's and Rhinehart's bodies. Four days later, the same caller ominously warned of more killings to come.
On February 13, 1968, the terror reached new heights when 15-year-old Opal Dianne Buckson was abducted. She was snatched off the street while walking to a school bus stop with her sister, who managed to provide authorities with a description of the vehicle involved. Days later, Buckson's body was found in a wooded area, evidence of a struggle clear. She had been strangled and stabbed, her life brutally extinguished.
The Hunt for a Killer
The community was on edge, and local residents took matters into their own hands. On the morning of Buckson's abduction, Henry Transou and Lester Skinner patrolled the area, on the lookout for the car described by police. Their vigilance paid off when they spotted a suspicious vehicle backing down a dirt path with a man standing beside it. As they drove by, the man hurried into the car and sped away. The two men jotted down the license plate number and promptly reported it, leading investigators to Lee Roy Martin.
On February 27, 1968, Martin was arrested. During questioning, Martin directed authorities to the bodies' locations, but due to procedural missteps, including not providing him with adequate legal counsel, the death penalty was not pursued. Convicted of the first-degree murders of Dedmond, Parris, Rhinehart, and Buckson, he received four life sentences.
In a twist of fate, Roger Dedmond, wrongfully imprisoned for his wife's murder, was released from Union County Prison Camp on March 1, 1968, with all charges against him dropped. Martin's motive remained a subject of speculation—while many believed he targeted young women, Martin himself claimed in interviews and discussions with his mother that a violent split personality had seized control of him.
The Final Chapter
On May 31, 1972, while serving his sentence at Central Correctional Institution in Columbia, Martin met a violent end. Fellow inmate Kenneth Marshall Rumsey stabbed him to death, only to take his own life five years later.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
The story of Lee Roy Martin left an indelible mark on Gaffney, a chilling reminder of the evil that can lurk in the most unsuspecting places. It captured the public imagination, becoming the subject of the Season 3 premiere of Investigation Discovery's series A Crime to Remember in 2015, an episode aptly titled "Lock Up Your Daughters."
Sources
For more details on the case, refer to the original Wikipedia article on Lee Roy Martin: Wikipedia URL.
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First Murder Committed
Annie Lucille Dedmond is murdered, initially leading to her husband's wrongful conviction.
Second Murder Victim Found
Nancy Carol Parris is abducted and later found dead, having been strangled and raped.
Third Murder Victim Found
Nancy Christine Rhinehart, 14, is found dead, also having been strangled and raped.
Fourth Victim Abducted
Opal Dianne Buckson is abducted; her body is later discovered, leading to a police investigation.
Lee Roy Martin Arrested
Martin is arrested after being linked to the abduction and murders; he confesses to the crimes.
Roger Dedmond Released
Roger Dedmond is released from prison after charges against him for his wife's murder are dropped.
Trial and Conviction
Lee Roy Martin is convicted of four counts of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Martin's Death
Lee Roy Martin is stabbed to death by a fellow inmate in prison.
Lee Roy Martin, known as the Gaffney Strangler, was an American serial killer who murdered four individuals, including two women and two girls, in Gaffney, South Carolina, between 1967 and 1968. The first victim, Annie Lucille Dedmond, was murdered on May 20, 1967, followed by Nancy Carol Parris and Nancy Christine Rhinehart in February 1968, and finally, Opal Dianne Buckson on February 13, 1968. Martin was apprehended on February 15, 1969, after he anonymously confessed to a local newspaper editor, providing details that led police to the victims' bodies. He was convicted of four counts of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, where he died from stab wounds on May 31, 1972, at the age of 35. Significant evidence included eyewitness accounts and Martin's own confessions, which played a crucial role in the investigation and subsequent conviction.
Lee Roy Martin is believed to have committed the murders of four victims, with speculation suggesting he may have been responsible for additional unsolved cases in the region. Some theorize that his background as a family man and employee at a textile mill may have played a role in his ability to evade suspicion for a time. Additionally, there is speculation that his anonymous tip to the local editor was an attempt to shift blame from himself, indicating a calculated nature to his actions.
The Gaffney Strangler: The Chilling Story of Lee Roy Martin
Introduction
In the late 1960s, the small town of Gaffney, South Carolina, was gripped by terror. The serene community became the hunting ground of a serial killer who prowled the streets, preying on unsuspecting women and girls. This is the story of Lee Roy Martin, infamously known as "The Gaffney Strangler," a man who would forever scar the town with his heinous crimes.
Background
Born on April 25, 1937, in Gaffney, Lee Roy Martin appeared to be an ordinary man. He worked at a textile mill in Cherokee County, was married, and had three children. His seemingly normal exterior masked the darkness that lay beneath—a darkness that would soon unravel a series of brutal murders.
A Trail of Tragedy
The nightmare began on May 20, 1967, when 32-year-old Annie Lucille Dedmond was found strangled and raped. Her husband, Roger Dedmond, bore the brunt of the blame and was convicted of her murder, receiving an 18-year prison sentence. Unbeknownst to the community, the real killer walked free, ready to strike again.
Nine months later, in February 1968, the town was rocked by another tragedy. Nancy Carol Parris, a 20-year-old woman, vanished after taking her dog for a walk. Her husband reported her missing, and soon after, her nude body was discovered on a riverbank beneath a bridge. Like Dedmond, she had been strangled and raped.
Just days after Parris's disappearance, 14-year-old Nancy Christine Rhinehart was found buried under a brush pile, with one foot protruding from the earth—a chilling sight that would haunt the investigators. She, too, was strangled and raped.
Then came the audacious phone call on February 8, 1968. The editor of The Gaffney Ledger, Bill Gibbons, received an anonymous tip. The caller, who identified himself as the killer, provided directions to where two of the victims' bodies could be found. The voice on the line claimed responsibility for Annie Dedmond's murder, asserting that her husband was innocent. Gibbons relayed the information to the police, who confirmed the grim discovery of Parris's and Rhinehart's bodies. Four days later, the same caller ominously warned of more killings to come.
On February 13, 1968, the terror reached new heights when 15-year-old Opal Dianne Buckson was abducted. She was snatched off the street while walking to a school bus stop with her sister, who managed to provide authorities with a description of the vehicle involved. Days later, Buckson's body was found in a wooded area, evidence of a struggle clear. She had been strangled and stabbed, her life brutally extinguished.
The Hunt for a Killer
The community was on edge, and local residents took matters into their own hands. On the morning of Buckson's abduction, Henry Transou and Lester Skinner patrolled the area, on the lookout for the car described by police. Their vigilance paid off when they spotted a suspicious vehicle backing down a dirt path with a man standing beside it. As they drove by, the man hurried into the car and sped away. The two men jotted down the license plate number and promptly reported it, leading investigators to Lee Roy Martin.
On February 27, 1968, Martin was arrested. During questioning, Martin directed authorities to the bodies' locations, but due to procedural missteps, including not providing him with adequate legal counsel, the death penalty was not pursued. Convicted of the first-degree murders of Dedmond, Parris, Rhinehart, and Buckson, he received four life sentences.
In a twist of fate, Roger Dedmond, wrongfully imprisoned for his wife's murder, was released from Union County Prison Camp on March 1, 1968, with all charges against him dropped. Martin's motive remained a subject of speculation—while many believed he targeted young women, Martin himself claimed in interviews and discussions with his mother that a violent split personality had seized control of him.
The Final Chapter
On May 31, 1972, while serving his sentence at Central Correctional Institution in Columbia, Martin met a violent end. Fellow inmate Kenneth Marshall Rumsey stabbed him to death, only to take his own life five years later.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
The story of Lee Roy Martin left an indelible mark on Gaffney, a chilling reminder of the evil that can lurk in the most unsuspecting places. It captured the public imagination, becoming the subject of the Season 3 premiere of Investigation Discovery's series A Crime to Remember in 2015, an episode aptly titled "Lock Up Your Daughters."
Sources
For more details on the case, refer to the original Wikipedia article on Lee Roy Martin: Wikipedia URL.
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
Annie Lucille Dedmond is murdered, initially leading to her husband's wrongful conviction.
Second Murder Victim Found
Nancy Carol Parris is abducted and later found dead, having been strangled and raped.
Third Murder Victim Found
Nancy Christine Rhinehart, 14, is found dead, also having been strangled and raped.
Fourth Victim Abducted
Opal Dianne Buckson is abducted; her body is later discovered, leading to a police investigation.
Lee Roy Martin Arrested
Martin is arrested after being linked to the abduction and murders; he confesses to the crimes.
Roger Dedmond Released
Roger Dedmond is released from prison after charges against him for his wife's murder are dropped.
Trial and Conviction
Lee Roy Martin is convicted of four counts of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Martin's Death
Lee Roy Martin is stabbed to death by a fellow inmate in prison.