Malcolm Robbins
American Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
California, United States
TIME PERIOD
1979-1980
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
Malcolm Joseph Robbins Jr., an American serial killer and sex offender, was convicted of raping and murdering at least four young boys and teenagers across four states—Texas, Maine, California, and New Jersey—between 1979 and 1980. He was apprehended on November 26, 1980, and subsequently sentenced to death in California, where he remained on death row until his death on January 27, 2023, at Corcoran State Prison. Robbins' criminal history was marked by a troubled upbringing, including early signs of mental impairment and a history of sexual abuse, which contributed to his violent behavior. Significant evidence leading to his conviction included forensic links to the crime scenes and testimonies from survivors and witnesses, although additional victims are suspected.
Investigators and the public theorize that Malcolm Robbins' troubled childhood, marked by poverty, abuse, and mental impairment, played a significant role in his development into a serial killer. Some speculate that his early experiences of sexual abuse and social isolation may have contributed to his violent behavior later in life. Additionally, there are suspicions that Robbins may have committed more crimes than the four for which he was convicted, as he operated across multiple states.
Malcolm Robbins: A Life of Crime and Its Consequences
The Early Years
Malcolm Joseph Robbins Jr. entered the world on July 7, 1960, in Rockland, Maine. Born into a troubled environment, his life was marked from the start by chaos and neglect. Allegations suggest that his mother conceived him with her incarcerated brother, Donald. Growing up in a large family that struggled with poverty, Robbins' childhood was anything but idyllic. His mother, a waitress who occasionally resorted to prostitution, relied heavily on welfare to support the family.
From an early age, Robbins showed signs of mental impairment. He couldn't walk until he was three, and his behavior led to expulsion from kindergarten. His home life was equally troubling, with claims of sexual abuse by his mother's housemates and bullying at school, both contributing to his status as a social outcast. Teachers often complained about his unwillingness to communicate and his unkempt appearance.
By 1970, a school psychologist visited the Robbins household to address Malcolm's declining academic performance. The psychologist's report painted a grim picture of the squalid conditions in which the family lived, conditions unsuitable for any child's development. A year later, Robbins was expelled from school and sent to an institution for delinquent youths. After a brief stay, he was transferred to the Pineland Hospital and Training Center in New Gloucester for observation, remaining there for nine months.
The Onset of Criminal Behavior
Robbins' release in 1973 did little to change the trajectory of his life. By 1974, he was back in the institution after being caught sexually abusing two boys. His mental state continued to deteriorate, leading to solitary confinement and a suicide attempt. Despite undergoing psychiatric treatment, his release in April 1975 was short-lived, as he was arrested again in September for another sexual assault.
The courts deemed him insane, and Robbins found himself once more at the institution for delinquent youths. His stay lasted until August 1976, when his aunt gained custody. Living with her and her husband, Robbins developed an interest in auto mechanics, learning to repair various car models.
However, his criminal tendencies persisted. In October 1976, Robbins was charged with child molestation, but the charges were dropped after the victim's parents intervened. Despite remaining at his aunt's house, he was required to undergo regular psychiatric treatment. These sessions revealed his aggressive nature and obsession with firearms. By June 1977, Robbins faced yet another charge of sexually abusing minors but escaped prosecution with only a small fine.
A Nomadic Existence
In early 1978, Robbins fled his home, embarking on relationships with several gay men. By mid-year, he left Maine for California, settling in Palm Springs with a 40-year-old lover. His life in California was transient; he moved to Los Angeles in late 1979, where he formed another relationship, only to relocate to Santa Barbara shortly thereafter.
Robbins' tendency to drift took him across multiple states, and those who knew him described him as a pathological liar and manipulator. Even as he returned to Los Angeles, he fabricated stories about working undercover with law enforcement, claiming involvement in the hunt for the elusive Freeway Killer. Such tales were dismissed due to his notorious dishonesty.
Arrest and Confessions
On November 26, 1980, Robbins' criminal escapades took a dark turn when he was arrested in Millville, New Jersey, for the murder of 9-year-old Evan Bailey. The boy had been abducted, raped, and murdered in Vineland just nine days earlier. Robbins led authorities to the crime scene, and the coroner confirmed the brutal nature of Bailey's death.
Shockingly, Robbins confessed not only to this crime but also to a string of murders across several states. His first known victim was 7-year-old Stephen Craig Little, killed on December 27, 1979, in Dallas, Texas. Robbins lured the child into his van, raped, and strangled him, then disposed of the body in a garbage can, setting it ablaze. Although Robbins later recanted, witness testimony placed him in Dallas at the time.
Robbins' next victim was 17-year-old William Byran Lepko, who disappeared from Wheeling, West Virginia, on January 29, 1980. The trail led investigators to a blue Chevrolet Nova registered in Robbins' name shortly after Lepko's disappearance. Robbins admitted to a violent encounter with Lepko but claimed he couldn't bury the body due to frozen ground. Lepko's remains were eventually found in February 1981.
Another victim was 6-year-old Christopher Michael Finney, who vanished on June 15, 1980, from Isla Vista, California. Witnesses saw the boy with a man matching Robbins' description. Finney's skeletal remains were discovered months later, with evidence pointing to a broken cervical vertebra. Robbins confessed to luring Finney away, raping, and then strangling him. A search of Robbins' apartment revealed Finney's T-shirt, a grim token from the crime.
Unconfirmed and Disproven Victims
Robbins either claimed responsibility for or was suspected in several other cases, though not all were substantiated. He mentioned killing an unidentified boy in Minden, Nevada, whose body was later identified as 15-year-old John Edward Powers from Sunnyvale, California. However, investigators could not definitively link Robbins to the crime.
He was also a suspect in the murders of Teresa Lynn Flores and Martha Joanne Mezo, whose bodies were discovered near the Salinas River in California. Although similarities existed with Finney's murder, Robbins was eventually cleared. He was briefly considered a suspect in the Atlanta Child Murders but was ruled out.
Trials, Sentence, and Imprisonment
Following Robbins' arrest, law enforcement from various states convened to strategize his prosecution. His trial for Evan Bailey's murder in New Jersey began in April 1981, culminating in Robbins pleading guilty and receiving a life sentence with possible parole after 30 years.
In 1983, he returned to California and pleaded guilty to the murder of Christopher Finney, resulting in a death sentence on May 12, 1983. Robbins subsequently faced trials for the murders of Stephen Little and William Byran Lepko, receiving convictions in both Texas and Maine.
By 1989, California's Attorney General John Van de Kamp sought Robbins' extradition for execution. With no legal precedent for such a case, New Jersey's Governor Thomas Kean signed an executive order for extradition, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court.
Robbins was contacted by Arizona authorities regarding the 1979 murder of Robert Craig Stevens but declined to cooperate, leaving the case unresolved.
Death
Robbins languished on California's death row until 2019, when Governor Gavin Newsom imposed a moratorium on capital punishment. Robbins was transferred to Corcoran State Prison, where his health deteriorated. On January 27, 2023, he died of natural causes at age 62, marking the end of a 42-year stint as one of California's longest-serving death row inmates.
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First Murder Committed
Malcolm Robbins murders 7-year-old Stephen Little in Dallas, Texas.
Second Murder Committed
17-year-old William Byran Lepko goes missing; later confirmed murdered by Robbins.
Third Murder Committed
6-year-old Christopher Michael Finney goes missing; later found murdered by Robbins.
Arrest of Malcolm Robbins
Robbins is arrested in New Jersey for the murder of 9-year-old Evan Bailey.
Guilty Plea in New Jersey
Robbins pleads guilty to the murder of Evan Bailey and is sentenced to life imprisonment.
Death Sentence in California
Robbins is sentenced to death for the murder of Christopher Finney after a plea bargain.
Extradition to New Jersey
Robbins is extradited to New Jersey to serve his life sentence after legal battles.
Death of Malcolm Robbins
Malcolm Robbins dies from natural causes while on death row in California.
Malcolm Joseph Robbins Jr., an American serial killer and sex offender, was convicted of raping and murdering at least four young boys and teenagers across four states—Texas, Maine, California, and New Jersey—between 1979 and 1980. He was apprehended on November 26, 1980, and subsequently sentenced to death in California, where he remained on death row until his death on January 27, 2023, at Corcoran State Prison. Robbins' criminal history was marked by a troubled upbringing, including early signs of mental impairment and a history of sexual abuse, which contributed to his violent behavior. Significant evidence leading to his conviction included forensic links to the crime scenes and testimonies from survivors and witnesses, although additional victims are suspected.
Investigators and the public theorize that Malcolm Robbins' troubled childhood, marked by poverty, abuse, and mental impairment, played a significant role in his development into a serial killer. Some speculate that his early experiences of sexual abuse and social isolation may have contributed to his violent behavior later in life. Additionally, there are suspicions that Robbins may have committed more crimes than the four for which he was convicted, as he operated across multiple states.
Malcolm Robbins: A Life of Crime and Its Consequences
The Early Years
Malcolm Joseph Robbins Jr. entered the world on July 7, 1960, in Rockland, Maine. Born into a troubled environment, his life was marked from the start by chaos and neglect. Allegations suggest that his mother conceived him with her incarcerated brother, Donald. Growing up in a large family that struggled with poverty, Robbins' childhood was anything but idyllic. His mother, a waitress who occasionally resorted to prostitution, relied heavily on welfare to support the family.
From an early age, Robbins showed signs of mental impairment. He couldn't walk until he was three, and his behavior led to expulsion from kindergarten. His home life was equally troubling, with claims of sexual abuse by his mother's housemates and bullying at school, both contributing to his status as a social outcast. Teachers often complained about his unwillingness to communicate and his unkempt appearance.
By 1970, a school psychologist visited the Robbins household to address Malcolm's declining academic performance. The psychologist's report painted a grim picture of the squalid conditions in which the family lived, conditions unsuitable for any child's development. A year later, Robbins was expelled from school and sent to an institution for delinquent youths. After a brief stay, he was transferred to the Pineland Hospital and Training Center in New Gloucester for observation, remaining there for nine months.
The Onset of Criminal Behavior
Robbins' release in 1973 did little to change the trajectory of his life. By 1974, he was back in the institution after being caught sexually abusing two boys. His mental state continued to deteriorate, leading to solitary confinement and a suicide attempt. Despite undergoing psychiatric treatment, his release in April 1975 was short-lived, as he was arrested again in September for another sexual assault.
The courts deemed him insane, and Robbins found himself once more at the institution for delinquent youths. His stay lasted until August 1976, when his aunt gained custody. Living with her and her husband, Robbins developed an interest in auto mechanics, learning to repair various car models.
However, his criminal tendencies persisted. In October 1976, Robbins was charged with child molestation, but the charges were dropped after the victim's parents intervened. Despite remaining at his aunt's house, he was required to undergo regular psychiatric treatment. These sessions revealed his aggressive nature and obsession with firearms. By June 1977, Robbins faced yet another charge of sexually abusing minors but escaped prosecution with only a small fine.
A Nomadic Existence
In early 1978, Robbins fled his home, embarking on relationships with several gay men. By mid-year, he left Maine for California, settling in Palm Springs with a 40-year-old lover. His life in California was transient; he moved to Los Angeles in late 1979, where he formed another relationship, only to relocate to Santa Barbara shortly thereafter.
Robbins' tendency to drift took him across multiple states, and those who knew him described him as a pathological liar and manipulator. Even as he returned to Los Angeles, he fabricated stories about working undercover with law enforcement, claiming involvement in the hunt for the elusive Freeway Killer. Such tales were dismissed due to his notorious dishonesty.
Arrest and Confessions
On November 26, 1980, Robbins' criminal escapades took a dark turn when he was arrested in Millville, New Jersey, for the murder of 9-year-old Evan Bailey. The boy had been abducted, raped, and murdered in Vineland just nine days earlier. Robbins led authorities to the crime scene, and the coroner confirmed the brutal nature of Bailey's death.
Shockingly, Robbins confessed not only to this crime but also to a string of murders across several states. His first known victim was 7-year-old Stephen Craig Little, killed on December 27, 1979, in Dallas, Texas. Robbins lured the child into his van, raped, and strangled him, then disposed of the body in a garbage can, setting it ablaze. Although Robbins later recanted, witness testimony placed him in Dallas at the time.
Robbins' next victim was 17-year-old William Byran Lepko, who disappeared from Wheeling, West Virginia, on January 29, 1980. The trail led investigators to a blue Chevrolet Nova registered in Robbins' name shortly after Lepko's disappearance. Robbins admitted to a violent encounter with Lepko but claimed he couldn't bury the body due to frozen ground. Lepko's remains were eventually found in February 1981.
Another victim was 6-year-old Christopher Michael Finney, who vanished on June 15, 1980, from Isla Vista, California. Witnesses saw the boy with a man matching Robbins' description. Finney's skeletal remains were discovered months later, with evidence pointing to a broken cervical vertebra. Robbins confessed to luring Finney away, raping, and then strangling him. A search of Robbins' apartment revealed Finney's T-shirt, a grim token from the crime.
Unconfirmed and Disproven Victims
Robbins either claimed responsibility for or was suspected in several other cases, though not all were substantiated. He mentioned killing an unidentified boy in Minden, Nevada, whose body was later identified as 15-year-old John Edward Powers from Sunnyvale, California. However, investigators could not definitively link Robbins to the crime.
He was also a suspect in the murders of Teresa Lynn Flores and Martha Joanne Mezo, whose bodies were discovered near the Salinas River in California. Although similarities existed with Finney's murder, Robbins was eventually cleared. He was briefly considered a suspect in the Atlanta Child Murders but was ruled out.
Trials, Sentence, and Imprisonment
Following Robbins' arrest, law enforcement from various states convened to strategize his prosecution. His trial for Evan Bailey's murder in New Jersey began in April 1981, culminating in Robbins pleading guilty and receiving a life sentence with possible parole after 30 years.
In 1983, he returned to California and pleaded guilty to the murder of Christopher Finney, resulting in a death sentence on May 12, 1983. Robbins subsequently faced trials for the murders of Stephen Little and William Byran Lepko, receiving convictions in both Texas and Maine.
By 1989, California's Attorney General John Van de Kamp sought Robbins' extradition for execution. With no legal precedent for such a case, New Jersey's Governor Thomas Kean signed an executive order for extradition, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court.
Robbins was contacted by Arizona authorities regarding the 1979 murder of Robert Craig Stevens but declined to cooperate, leaving the case unresolved.
Death
Robbins languished on California's death row until 2019, when Governor Gavin Newsom imposed a moratorium on capital punishment. Robbins was transferred to Corcoran State Prison, where his health deteriorated. On January 27, 2023, he died of natural causes at age 62, marking the end of a 42-year stint as one of California's longest-serving death row inmates.
Sources
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First Murder Committed
Malcolm Robbins murders 7-year-old Stephen Little in Dallas, Texas.
Second Murder Committed
17-year-old William Byran Lepko goes missing; later confirmed murdered by Robbins.
Third Murder Committed
6-year-old Christopher Michael Finney goes missing; later found murdered by Robbins.
Arrest of Malcolm Robbins
Robbins is arrested in New Jersey for the murder of 9-year-old Evan Bailey.
Guilty Plea in New Jersey
Robbins pleads guilty to the murder of Evan Bailey and is sentenced to life imprisonment.
Death Sentence in California
Robbins is sentenced to death for the murder of Christopher Finney after a plea bargain.
Extradition to New Jersey
Robbins is extradited to New Jersey to serve his life sentence after legal battles.
Death of Malcolm Robbins
Malcolm Robbins dies from natural causes while on death row in California.