Lesley Eugene Warren
American Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
North Carolina, United States
TIME PERIOD
1989-1990
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
Lesley Eugene Warren, known as "The Babyface Killer," is an American serial killer who murdered at least three women in North and South Carolina between 1989 and 1990. He was apprehended on July 21, 1990, and is currently serving a death sentence in North Carolina for his crimes, with additional confessions to five other murders that remain uncharged. The case is considered solved with Warren's conviction and imprisonment.
The content discusses Lesley Eugene Warren's early life and background, hinting at factors that may have contributed to his criminal behavior, such as childhood trauma and antisocial tendencies. Community speculation might arise around whether these early experiences directly influenced his later actions as a serial killer. Additionally, the mention of his confession to more murders than he was charged with could lead to theories about the extent of his criminal activities and the possibility of other unidentified victims.
Lesley Eugene Warren
Overview
Lesley Eugene Warren, born on October 15, 1967, in Candler, North Carolina, is a notorious American serial killer infamously dubbed "The Babyface Killer." Warren is responsible for the murders of at least three women across North and South Carolina between 1989 and 1990. Convicted and sentenced to death in North Carolina, he later confessed to five additional murders, including one in New York, though he was never formally charged for them.
Quick Facts
- Born: October 15, 1967 (age 57)
- Birthplace: Candler, North Carolina, U.S.
- Other Names: The Babyface Killer
- Convictions:
- North Carolina: First-degree murder x2
- South Carolina: Murder
- Criminal Penalty:
- North Carolina: Death x2
- South Carolina: Life imprisonment
- Victims: 3 (convicted), 4 (confirmed), 8 (confessed)
- Span of Crimes: 1987–1990
- Country: United States
- States: New York, South Carolina, North Carolina
- Date Apprehended: July 21, 1990
- Imprisoned at: Central Prison, Raleigh, North Carolina
Early Life
Lesley Eugene Warren's early life was marked by turmoil. He was the elder of two sons born to Douglas Eugene Warren and Phyllis West. From a young age, Warren displayed signs of antisocial behavior, struggling to form emotional connections. This emotional detachment intensified with the birth of his younger brother, Laron Ray, in 1970.
Financial instability plagued the Warren family after Laron's birth, and Douglas's increasing volatility led to physical abuse. A particularly harrowing incident occurred in 1971 when Douglas set fire to the family's trailer, narrowly missing killing Phyllis and one of the boys. Following this, Phyllis secured a divorce and full custody, while Douglas's harassment continued, resulting in a restraining order against him.
In September 1974, Lesley began attending Emma Elementary School in Candler, where he faced frequent conflicts with classmates. His lack of interest in academics or sports contributed to his unpopularity. By 1981, at Erwin High School, his relationship with his mother soured, adding to his stress and negatively impacting his studies. School psychologists recommended therapy, leading to a rapid decline in his mental health by the end of that year.
As Warren gravitated toward petty criminals, he became embroiled in burglaries and substance abuse. In January 1982, he was arrested for vandalism and expelled from school. Following a psychological evaluation at Broughton Hospital, he was diagnosed with conduct disorder and schizoid personality disorder, subsequently receiving treatment. However, after being expelled from Enka High School for excessive absences, he was thrown out of his mother's house for a night after she discovered marijuana in his room.
Assault on Betty Pressley
In an alarming turn of events, Warren returned home the day after being ejected and abducted his neighbor, Betty Pressley. He dragged her into the basement, tying her up. When a friend of Pressley came looking for her, he stumbled upon the scene and confronted Warren. In a shocking escalation, Warren shot the friend but was unable to kill him. The friend managed to free Pressley and call the police.
Warren was arrested shortly thereafter, on October 4, 1982, and he confessed to the assault during questioning. Despite his admission, he faced a juvenile justice system that would give him a minor sentence. Warren was sent to the Juvenile Evaluation Center, remaining there until October 1985.
Upon his release, he returned to live with his mother and enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 4, 1986. He was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he quickly rose to the rank of Specialist and married Tracy Bradshaw, with whom he had two sons. His military career took a downturn, leading to a dishonorable discharge in June 1987.
Murders
Patsy Vineyard
Warren's first confirmed murder occurred on May 15, 1987, when he killed 20-year-old Patsy Diane Vineyard, the wife of a fellow soldier. Michael Vineyard was away on a military exercise when Warren began an illicit affair with Patsy. On that fateful day, after using drugs together, Warren raped and strangled her before disposing of her body in the Black River, near Sackets Harbor. Her remains were discovered floating in Lake Ontario a month later.
After being apprehended for going AWOL in February 1988, Warren faced a brief incarceration and subsequent demotion. He spent the summer of 1988 living in homeless shelters in New York City and battling drug addiction before moving back to South Carolina in the fall.
Carolina Murders
Warren's violent tendencies escalated further as he began working as a truck driver. On August 26, 1988, he encountered 42-year-old Velma Faye Gray after her car accident. Under the guise of assistance, he lured her to a secluded area, where he brutally beat and strangled her before dumping her body in Lake Bowen, where it would later be discovered by fishermen.
On Christmas Day 1988, Warren murdered Jayme Denise Hurley, a counselor at the Juvenile Evaluation Center. After physically assaulting and strangling her, he confided in his brother Laron about the crime, who assisted him in burying her body in the snake-infested Pisgah National Forest. When Hurley's father reported her missing, investigators soon focused on Warren, who was arrested on May 28, 1990. Despite the mounting evidence, he only faced charges for misdemeanor larceny due to the absence of a body.
On June 6, Warren was released on bail, during which he confessed to his wife about Hurley’s murder and to his mother about Vineyard's murder. His mother subsequently reported these confessions to the police, leading to him being named a prime suspect.
In July 1990, Warren met Teri Quinby in High Point, North Carolina, and later murdered 21-year-old Katherine Noel Johnson after a night out together on July 16. He raped and strangled her with her own bra, leaving her body in her car, which was soon discovered, igniting a major investigation into Warren's activities.
Arrest
Following a press conference on July 7, where Warren was identified as a suspect in multiple murders, his brother contacted authorities, revealing his role in disposing of Hurley’s body. Warren was apprehended on July 21, 1990, at Quinby’s house without incident.
After his arrest, Warren confessed to the murders and cooperated with law enforcement, claiming he was responsible for four additional murders that had not yet been connected to him. He detailed the murder of a Hispanic girl named Mary in South Carolina and two men during a drug deal in Asheville, while downplaying his involvement in Hurley's death, claiming it was accidental.
Trials and Sentences
Warren faced a series of trials following his arrest, beginning with extradition to South Carolina for Velma Gray's murder. In August 1991, he was extradited and underwent psychiatric evaluation, which concluded he was sane. His trial commenced on April 13, 1993, and he pled guilty, receiving a life sentence.
Afterward, Warren was extradited to North Carolina to stand trial for Hurley's murder in early 1995. His own confessions and the evidence against him led to a guilty verdict, and he was sentenced to death on October 6, 1995. As part of the ongoing investigations into his crimes, he was also tried for the murder of Katherine Johnson in early 1996, where he was again sentenced to death, demonstrating a chilling indifference to the weight of his actions throughout the proceedings.
Appeals and Current Status
Warren was transferred to death row at Central Prison in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he has remained since. His appeals to overturn his death sentence were denied in 1998. In 2009, he joined 146 other inmates in filing petitions under the Racial Justice Act, arguing that his sentence was influenced by racial bias due to the ethnicity of his victims. However, the court found no merit in his claims, stating he received a fair trial.
His case garnered attention in 2014 when it was featured in an episode of the true crime documentary series Handsome Devils on Investigation Discovery. As of February 2025, Warren remains on death row, awaiting execution, having exhausted all potential avenues for appeal.
Sources
- Dawn DeCwikiel-Kane (July 28, 1990). "CONFESSED KILLER MADE OTHERS CARE". News & Record. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023.
- Anita Kumar (March 28, 1996). "KILLER FACES SECOND DEATH SENTENCE". News & Record. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023.
- "A confession by the Candler man accused of killing three women". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. July 22, 1990. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023.
- "Man's murder confessions shock friend". The News & Observer. July 23, 1990 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Accused serial killer confesses to murder". United Press International. July 21, 1990. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023.
- "N.C. man held in serial killings Body of one victim found in Lake Bowen". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. July 21, 1990. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023.
- Anita Kumar (March 29, 1996). "KILLER GETS 2ND DEATH SENTENCE". News & Record. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023.
- "Authorities arrest suspected serial killer". United Press International. July 20, 1990. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023.
- "GUILTY IN DEATH: Warren gets life in prison". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. September 16, 1993. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023.
- "NC death penalty loophole gives killers wiggle room". Lexipol. August 13, 2010. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023.
- "Serial killer who murdered High Point woman to be focus of documentary". WGHP. August 14, 2014. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023.
Bibliography
- Wensley Clarkson (January 1, 2004). Romeo Killer. Blake Publishing. ISBN 1844540413.
See also
- Capital punishment in North Carolina
- List of death row inmates in North Carolina
- List of serial killers in the United States
For a true crime enthusiast, Lesley Eugene Warren's story is not just a case of murder; it's an exploration of a troubled mind and a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of everyday life.
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Lesley Eugene Warren, known as "The Babyface Killer," is an American serial killer who murdered at least three women in North and South Carolina between 1989 and 1990. He was apprehended on July 21, 1990, and is currently serving a death sentence in North Carolina for his crimes, with additional confessions to five other murders that remain uncharged. The case is considered solved with Warren's conviction and imprisonment.
The content discusses Lesley Eugene Warren's early life and background, hinting at factors that may have contributed to his criminal behavior, such as childhood trauma and antisocial tendencies. Community speculation might arise around whether these early experiences directly influenced his later actions as a serial killer. Additionally, the mention of his confession to more murders than he was charged with could lead to theories about the extent of his criminal activities and the possibility of other unidentified victims.
Lesley Eugene Warren
Overview
Lesley Eugene Warren, born on October 15, 1967, in Candler, North Carolina, is a notorious American serial killer infamously dubbed "The Babyface Killer." Warren is responsible for the murders of at least three women across North and South Carolina between 1989 and 1990. Convicted and sentenced to death in North Carolina, he later confessed to five additional murders, including one in New York, though he was never formally charged for them.
Quick Facts
- Born: October 15, 1967 (age 57)
- Birthplace: Candler, North Carolina, U.S.
- Other Names: The Babyface Killer
- Convictions:
- North Carolina: First-degree murder x2
- South Carolina: Murder
- Criminal Penalty:
- North Carolina: Death x2
- South Carolina: Life imprisonment
- Victims: 3 (convicted), 4 (confirmed), 8 (confessed)
- Span of Crimes: 1987–1990
- Country: United States
- States: New York, South Carolina, North Carolina
- Date Apprehended: July 21, 1990
- Imprisoned at: Central Prison, Raleigh, North Carolina
Early Life
Lesley Eugene Warren's early life was marked by turmoil. He was the elder of two sons born to Douglas Eugene Warren and Phyllis West. From a young age, Warren displayed signs of antisocial behavior, struggling to form emotional connections. This emotional detachment intensified with the birth of his younger brother, Laron Ray, in 1970.
Financial instability plagued the Warren family after Laron's birth, and Douglas's increasing volatility led to physical abuse. A particularly harrowing incident occurred in 1971 when Douglas set fire to the family's trailer, narrowly missing killing Phyllis and one of the boys. Following this, Phyllis secured a divorce and full custody, while Douglas's harassment continued, resulting in a restraining order against him.
In September 1974, Lesley began attending Emma Elementary School in Candler, where he faced frequent conflicts with classmates. His lack of interest in academics or sports contributed to his unpopularity. By 1981, at Erwin High School, his relationship with his mother soured, adding to his stress and negatively impacting his studies. School psychologists recommended therapy, leading to a rapid decline in his mental health by the end of that year.
As Warren gravitated toward petty criminals, he became embroiled in burglaries and substance abuse. In January 1982, he was arrested for vandalism and expelled from school. Following a psychological evaluation at Broughton Hospital, he was diagnosed with conduct disorder and schizoid personality disorder, subsequently receiving treatment. However, after being expelled from Enka High School for excessive absences, he was thrown out of his mother's house for a night after she discovered marijuana in his room.
Assault on Betty Pressley
In an alarming turn of events, Warren returned home the day after being ejected and abducted his neighbor, Betty Pressley. He dragged her into the basement, tying her up. When a friend of Pressley came looking for her, he stumbled upon the scene and confronted Warren. In a shocking escalation, Warren shot the friend but was unable to kill him. The friend managed to free Pressley and call the police.
Warren was arrested shortly thereafter, on October 4, 1982, and he confessed to the assault during questioning. Despite his admission, he faced a juvenile justice system that would give him a minor sentence. Warren was sent to the Juvenile Evaluation Center, remaining there until October 1985.
Upon his release, he returned to live with his mother and enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 4, 1986. He was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he quickly rose to the rank of Specialist and married Tracy Bradshaw, with whom he had two sons. His military career took a downturn, leading to a dishonorable discharge in June 1987.
Murders
Patsy Vineyard
Warren's first confirmed murder occurred on May 15, 1987, when he killed 20-year-old Patsy Diane Vineyard, the wife of a fellow soldier. Michael Vineyard was away on a military exercise when Warren began an illicit affair with Patsy. On that fateful day, after using drugs together, Warren raped and strangled her before disposing of her body in the Black River, near Sackets Harbor. Her remains were discovered floating in Lake Ontario a month later.
After being apprehended for going AWOL in February 1988, Warren faced a brief incarceration and subsequent demotion. He spent the summer of 1988 living in homeless shelters in New York City and battling drug addiction before moving back to South Carolina in the fall.
Carolina Murders
Warren's violent tendencies escalated further as he began working as a truck driver. On August 26, 1988, he encountered 42-year-old Velma Faye Gray after her car accident. Under the guise of assistance, he lured her to a secluded area, where he brutally beat and strangled her before dumping her body in Lake Bowen, where it would later be discovered by fishermen.
On Christmas Day 1988, Warren murdered Jayme Denise Hurley, a counselor at the Juvenile Evaluation Center. After physically assaulting and strangling her, he confided in his brother Laron about the crime, who assisted him in burying her body in the snake-infested Pisgah National Forest. When Hurley's father reported her missing, investigators soon focused on Warren, who was arrested on May 28, 1990. Despite the mounting evidence, he only faced charges for misdemeanor larceny due to the absence of a body.
On June 6, Warren was released on bail, during which he confessed to his wife about Hurley’s murder and to his mother about Vineyard's murder. His mother subsequently reported these confessions to the police, leading to him being named a prime suspect.
In July 1990, Warren met Teri Quinby in High Point, North Carolina, and later murdered 21-year-old Katherine Noel Johnson after a night out together on July 16. He raped and strangled her with her own bra, leaving her body in her car, which was soon discovered, igniting a major investigation into Warren's activities.
Arrest
Following a press conference on July 7, where Warren was identified as a suspect in multiple murders, his brother contacted authorities, revealing his role in disposing of Hurley’s body. Warren was apprehended on July 21, 1990, at Quinby’s house without incident.
After his arrest, Warren confessed to the murders and cooperated with law enforcement, claiming he was responsible for four additional murders that had not yet been connected to him. He detailed the murder of a Hispanic girl named Mary in South Carolina and two men during a drug deal in Asheville, while downplaying his involvement in Hurley's death, claiming it was accidental.
Trials and Sentences
Warren faced a series of trials following his arrest, beginning with extradition to South Carolina for Velma Gray's murder. In August 1991, he was extradited and underwent psychiatric evaluation, which concluded he was sane. His trial commenced on April 13, 1993, and he pled guilty, receiving a life sentence.
Afterward, Warren was extradited to North Carolina to stand trial for Hurley's murder in early 1995. His own confessions and the evidence against him led to a guilty verdict, and he was sentenced to death on October 6, 1995. As part of the ongoing investigations into his crimes, he was also tried for the murder of Katherine Johnson in early 1996, where he was again sentenced to death, demonstrating a chilling indifference to the weight of his actions throughout the proceedings.
Appeals and Current Status
Warren was transferred to death row at Central Prison in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he has remained since. His appeals to overturn his death sentence were denied in 1998. In 2009, he joined 146 other inmates in filing petitions under the Racial Justice Act, arguing that his sentence was influenced by racial bias due to the ethnicity of his victims. However, the court found no merit in his claims, stating he received a fair trial.
His case garnered attention in 2014 when it was featured in an episode of the true crime documentary series Handsome Devils on Investigation Discovery. As of February 2025, Warren remains on death row, awaiting execution, having exhausted all potential avenues for appeal.
Sources
- Dawn DeCwikiel-Kane (July 28, 1990). "CONFESSED KILLER MADE OTHERS CARE". News & Record. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023.
- Anita Kumar (March 28, 1996). "KILLER FACES SECOND DEATH SENTENCE". News & Record. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023.
- "A confession by the Candler man accused of killing three women". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. July 22, 1990. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023.
- "Man's murder confessions shock friend". The News & Observer. July 23, 1990 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Accused serial killer confesses to murder". United Press International. July 21, 1990. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023.
- "N.C. man held in serial killings Body of one victim found in Lake Bowen". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. July 21, 1990. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023.
- Anita Kumar (March 29, 1996). "KILLER GETS 2ND DEATH SENTENCE". News & Record. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023.
- "Authorities arrest suspected serial killer". United Press International. July 20, 1990. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023.
- "GUILTY IN DEATH: Warren gets life in prison". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. September 16, 1993. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023.
- "NC death penalty loophole gives killers wiggle room". Lexipol. August 13, 2010. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023.
- "Serial killer who murdered High Point woman to be focus of documentary". WGHP. August 14, 2014. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023.
Bibliography
- Wensley Clarkson (January 1, 2004). Romeo Killer. Blake Publishing. ISBN 1844540413.
See also
- Capital punishment in North Carolina
- List of death row inmates in North Carolina
- List of serial killers in the United States
For a true crime enthusiast, Lesley Eugene Warren's story is not just a case of murder; it's an exploration of a troubled mind and a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of everyday life.
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...