Lloyd Gomez
California Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
California, United States
TIME PERIOD
1950-1951
VICTIMS
9 confirmed
Lloyd Gomez, known as The Phantom Hobo Killer, committed a series of murders targeting vagrant men across California between 1950 and 1951, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals. He was apprehended on January 15, 1952, after being arrested for a separate crime, during which he confessed to the murders. Gomez was tried and convicted for the murder of Warren Cunningham, his second victim, and was sentenced to death. He was executed by gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison on October 16, 1953. Key evidence linking Gomez to the murders included his confession and the modus operandi of targeting homeless men, often using brutal methods such as bludgeoning and shooting.
Lloyd Gomez is believed to have targeted vagrant men due to his own experiences with homelessness and a desire for control over those he perceived as weaker. Some speculate that his violent tendencies may have been exacerbated by his tumultuous childhood and lack of education, leading him to a life of crime. Additionally, there are theories that his choice of victims reflects a deeper societal issue regarding the treatment and visibility of homeless individuals during that era.
The Tale of Lloyd Gomez: The Phantom Hobo Killer
Early Life of a Drifter
Lloyd Gomez, known infamously as The Phantom Hobo Killer, was born on December 6, 1923, in Caliente, Nevada. His heritage was a blend of Native American and Mexican roots. Tragedy marked the early years of his life with the death of his mother when he was still a child. Struggling with poverty and lacking formal education, Gomez left his family's home in 1939. His life spiraled into homelessness, and he roamed the west coast of the United States, often hitching rides on freight trains. In these transient years, he adopted the alias Harry Jenks, a name that would accompany him through his darker deeds.
In the midst of World War II, 1942 brought Gomez into the sights of law enforcement when he was arrested by Sacramento County deputies under suspicion of draft dodging. Later that year, Gomez's criminal tendencies surfaced when he accosted a young boy near Caliente, forcibly taking the boy's rifle before fleeing. This act led to his arrest in Cedar City, Utah, and subsequent extradition to Nevada. Convicted of armed robbery, he was sentenced to a two-and-a-half to 20-year imprisonment. Released on parole in 1946, Gomez's freedom was short-lived as he returned to prison in 1948 for assault. Ever elusive, he slipped away from a prison camp in a moment of inattention from the guards, disappearing for two years.
As time wore on, Gomez's motivations shifted toward financial gain, marking the beginning of a grisly series of robberies and murders. His chosen victims were fellow vagrants, men roughly middle-aged, whom he preyed upon along the railroad tracks. His methods were as varied as they were brutal, ranging from shootings to bludgeoning with wooden planks, wine bottles, and rocks. Intriguingly, Gomez took a pause in his killing spree, a hiatus of seven and a half months, during which law enforcement struggled to connect the dots of his deadly game.
The Murders
The summer of 1950 marked the onset of Gomez's murderous path. His first victim, an unidentified man, met his end with a wine bottle smashed against his head, yielding a mere five cents to his killer. On November 11, 1950, Warren Hood Cunningham, aged 42, met a similar fate when he accused Gomez of beer theft. Shot dead in a moment of heated confrontation, Cunningham's murder had a witness, John Kapusta, who could not identify Gomez due to his blindness in one eye.
A mere eight days later, in Mojave, Gomez struck again. Earl Franklin Woods, 50, succumbed to a savage attack with a large rock. Attempting to evade capture, Gomez disposed of the rifle used in Cunningham's murder and fled towards Los Angeles. However, he was arrested on unrelated vagrancy charges, serving a 30-day sentence before returning to his transient lifestyle.
May 26, 1951, saw the resumption of Gomez's killing spree. Elmer Cushman, seated in a rail car, fell victim to a brutal beating that netted Gomez $16. Merely ten days later, another unidentified man was killed as he slept, Gomez stealing $20 from his coat. As June unfolded, George Jones, 60, was murdered near a hobo camp in Merced, succumbing to a blow that fractured his skull. His death yielded Gomez $24.50, the largest sum taken from any victim.
On July 17, Gomez claimed Arvid Ostlund's life near Roseville, crushing his victim's head with a large stone and stealing a solitary dollar. August brought two more deaths: an unidentified man near the railroad tracks and Roy Chester Hansen, killed on August 16, by a similar method. Hansen's body was discovered by railroad workers in Ben Ali, Sacramento, marking a grim end to Gomez's spree.
Arrest and Confession
As the bodies of these men emerged, law enforcement realized a serial killer was at large. By January 15, 1952, authorities apprehended Gomez, noting a large slash across his face. In custody, Gomez confessed to the murders of nine men, expressing disdain for the meager $62.26 he gained from their deaths.
The Victims
Unidentified Man: Summer 1950, killed by a head injury from a wine bottle, five cents stolen.
Warren Hood Cunningham: November 11, 1950, shot to death, the only victim killed this way.
Earl Franklin Woods: November 18/19, 1950, killed in Mojave with a rock.
Elmer M. Cushman: May 1951, beaten to death, $16.50 stolen.
Unidentified Man: June 9, 1951, beaten to death.
George Jones: June 22, 1951, killed near Merced, $24.50 stolen.
Arvid Ostlund: July 17, 1951, killed near Roseville, $1 stolen.
Unidentified Man: August 18, 1951, beaten to death.
Roy Chester Hansen: August 16, 1951, killed near Sacramento.
Trial and Execution
Though Gomez confessed to all nine murders, his trial focused on the murder of Warren Hood Cunningham. Gomez guided detectives to Cunningham's murder scene, recounting the events with chilling clarity. Despite efforts by his defense to move the trial due to pretrial publicity, the request was denied by Superior Court Judge Raymond Coughlin. The trial commenced in June 1952, with Gomez's behavior unpredictable. On June 10, 1952, he was sentenced to death and transferred to San Quentin State Prison.
On October 15, 1953, Gomez's final hours unfolded with an interview over his last meal of fried chicken, potatoes, peas, and pie. Unrepentant and calm, he declined religious comfort, reflecting a stoic acceptance of his fate. The following day, he was executed in the gas chamber, his last words to a guard: "I don't want to live anymore."
Manuel Gomez: A Family's Dark Legacy
Lloyd's father, Manuel Gomez, faced his own legal troubles when arrested in Nevada on January 2, 1943, for the murder of Jesus Maria Garcia. Convicted and sentenced to life, Manuel's time in prison was marred by illness, leading to his death on February 22, 1954, just months after Lloyd's execution.
See Also
- Capital punishment in California
- List of serial killers in the United States
- List of serial killers by number of victims
- List of people executed in the United States in 1953
Sources
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First Murder
Lloyd Gomez kills his first victim, an unidentified man, using a wine bottle.
Warren Cunningham Murdered
Gomez shoots Warren Hood Cunningham after an argument over stolen beer.
Earl Woods Murdered
Gomez murders 50-year-old Earl Franklin Woods by bashing him with a rock.
Killing Resumes
Gomez resumes his killing spree, beating Elmer Cushman to death.
George Jones Murdered
Gomez kills 60-year-old George Jones near Merced, stealing money from him.
Arrested
Gomez is arrested for vagrancy and confesses to the murders while in jail.
Sentenced to Death
Gomez is sentenced to death for the murder of Warren Cunningham.
Final Interview
Gomez gives his final interview before execution, showing indifference.
Executed
Lloyd Gomez is executed by gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison.
Lloyd Gomez, known as The Phantom Hobo Killer, committed a series of murders targeting vagrant men across California between 1950 and 1951, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals. He was apprehended on January 15, 1952, after being arrested for a separate crime, during which he confessed to the murders. Gomez was tried and convicted for the murder of Warren Cunningham, his second victim, and was sentenced to death. He was executed by gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison on October 16, 1953. Key evidence linking Gomez to the murders included his confession and the modus operandi of targeting homeless men, often using brutal methods such as bludgeoning and shooting.
Lloyd Gomez is believed to have targeted vagrant men due to his own experiences with homelessness and a desire for control over those he perceived as weaker. Some speculate that his violent tendencies may have been exacerbated by his tumultuous childhood and lack of education, leading him to a life of crime. Additionally, there are theories that his choice of victims reflects a deeper societal issue regarding the treatment and visibility of homeless individuals during that era.
The Tale of Lloyd Gomez: The Phantom Hobo Killer
Early Life of a Drifter
Lloyd Gomez, known infamously as The Phantom Hobo Killer, was born on December 6, 1923, in Caliente, Nevada. His heritage was a blend of Native American and Mexican roots. Tragedy marked the early years of his life with the death of his mother when he was still a child. Struggling with poverty and lacking formal education, Gomez left his family's home in 1939. His life spiraled into homelessness, and he roamed the west coast of the United States, often hitching rides on freight trains. In these transient years, he adopted the alias Harry Jenks, a name that would accompany him through his darker deeds.
In the midst of World War II, 1942 brought Gomez into the sights of law enforcement when he was arrested by Sacramento County deputies under suspicion of draft dodging. Later that year, Gomez's criminal tendencies surfaced when he accosted a young boy near Caliente, forcibly taking the boy's rifle before fleeing. This act led to his arrest in Cedar City, Utah, and subsequent extradition to Nevada. Convicted of armed robbery, he was sentenced to a two-and-a-half to 20-year imprisonment. Released on parole in 1946, Gomez's freedom was short-lived as he returned to prison in 1948 for assault. Ever elusive, he slipped away from a prison camp in a moment of inattention from the guards, disappearing for two years.
As time wore on, Gomez's motivations shifted toward financial gain, marking the beginning of a grisly series of robberies and murders. His chosen victims were fellow vagrants, men roughly middle-aged, whom he preyed upon along the railroad tracks. His methods were as varied as they were brutal, ranging from shootings to bludgeoning with wooden planks, wine bottles, and rocks. Intriguingly, Gomez took a pause in his killing spree, a hiatus of seven and a half months, during which law enforcement struggled to connect the dots of his deadly game.
The Murders
The summer of 1950 marked the onset of Gomez's murderous path. His first victim, an unidentified man, met his end with a wine bottle smashed against his head, yielding a mere five cents to his killer. On November 11, 1950, Warren Hood Cunningham, aged 42, met a similar fate when he accused Gomez of beer theft. Shot dead in a moment of heated confrontation, Cunningham's murder had a witness, John Kapusta, who could not identify Gomez due to his blindness in one eye.
A mere eight days later, in Mojave, Gomez struck again. Earl Franklin Woods, 50, succumbed to a savage attack with a large rock. Attempting to evade capture, Gomez disposed of the rifle used in Cunningham's murder and fled towards Los Angeles. However, he was arrested on unrelated vagrancy charges, serving a 30-day sentence before returning to his transient lifestyle.
May 26, 1951, saw the resumption of Gomez's killing spree. Elmer Cushman, seated in a rail car, fell victim to a brutal beating that netted Gomez $16. Merely ten days later, another unidentified man was killed as he slept, Gomez stealing $20 from his coat. As June unfolded, George Jones, 60, was murdered near a hobo camp in Merced, succumbing to a blow that fractured his skull. His death yielded Gomez $24.50, the largest sum taken from any victim.
On July 17, Gomez claimed Arvid Ostlund's life near Roseville, crushing his victim's head with a large stone and stealing a solitary dollar. August brought two more deaths: an unidentified man near the railroad tracks and Roy Chester Hansen, killed on August 16, by a similar method. Hansen's body was discovered by railroad workers in Ben Ali, Sacramento, marking a grim end to Gomez's spree.
Arrest and Confession
As the bodies of these men emerged, law enforcement realized a serial killer was at large. By January 15, 1952, authorities apprehended Gomez, noting a large slash across his face. In custody, Gomez confessed to the murders of nine men, expressing disdain for the meager $62.26 he gained from their deaths.
The Victims
Unidentified Man: Summer 1950, killed by a head injury from a wine bottle, five cents stolen.
Warren Hood Cunningham: November 11, 1950, shot to death, the only victim killed this way.
Earl Franklin Woods: November 18/19, 1950, killed in Mojave with a rock.
Elmer M. Cushman: May 1951, beaten to death, $16.50 stolen.
Unidentified Man: June 9, 1951, beaten to death.
George Jones: June 22, 1951, killed near Merced, $24.50 stolen.
Arvid Ostlund: July 17, 1951, killed near Roseville, $1 stolen.
Unidentified Man: August 18, 1951, beaten to death.
Roy Chester Hansen: August 16, 1951, killed near Sacramento.
Trial and Execution
Though Gomez confessed to all nine murders, his trial focused on the murder of Warren Hood Cunningham. Gomez guided detectives to Cunningham's murder scene, recounting the events with chilling clarity. Despite efforts by his defense to move the trial due to pretrial publicity, the request was denied by Superior Court Judge Raymond Coughlin. The trial commenced in June 1952, with Gomez's behavior unpredictable. On June 10, 1952, he was sentenced to death and transferred to San Quentin State Prison.
On October 15, 1953, Gomez's final hours unfolded with an interview over his last meal of fried chicken, potatoes, peas, and pie. Unrepentant and calm, he declined religious comfort, reflecting a stoic acceptance of his fate. The following day, he was executed in the gas chamber, his last words to a guard: "I don't want to live anymore."
Manuel Gomez: A Family's Dark Legacy
Lloyd's father, Manuel Gomez, faced his own legal troubles when arrested in Nevada on January 2, 1943, for the murder of Jesus Maria Garcia. Convicted and sentenced to life, Manuel's time in prison was marred by illness, leading to his death on February 22, 1954, just months after Lloyd's execution.
See Also
- Capital punishment in California
- List of serial killers in the United States
- List of serial killers by number of victims
- List of people executed in the United States in 1953
Sources
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
Lloyd Gomez kills his first victim, an unidentified man, using a wine bottle.
Warren Cunningham Murdered
Gomez shoots Warren Hood Cunningham after an argument over stolen beer.
Earl Woods Murdered
Gomez murders 50-year-old Earl Franklin Woods by bashing him with a rock.
Killing Resumes
Gomez resumes his killing spree, beating Elmer Cushman to death.
George Jones Murdered
Gomez kills 60-year-old George Jones near Merced, stealing money from him.
Arrested
Gomez is arrested for vagrancy and confesses to the murders while in jail.
Sentenced to Death
Gomez is sentenced to death for the murder of Warren Cunningham.
Final Interview
Gomez gives his final interview before execution, showing indifference.
Executed
Lloyd Gomez is executed by gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison.