The Tale of the Missoula Mauler: Wayne Nance

In the shadowy realms of Montana's unforgiving landscape, Wayne Nathan Nance, known as "The Missoula Mauler," cast a long and terrifying shadow. Born on October 18, 1955, in Clinton, Montana, Nance would become infamous not through trial or conviction, but through a series of grisly murders attributed to him posthumously. His death on September 4, 1986, at the hands of a would-be victim marked the end of a dark chapter in Missoula's history, but not before a trail of horror was uncovered.

Early Life and Dark Promises

Wayne Nance came into the world as the son of George Edwin Nance, a long-haul truck driver, and Charlene Mae Mackie, a waitress. He grew up in a motor home outside Milltown, Montana, just east of Missoula. From an early age, Nance was described as academically gifted yet eccentric, a juvenile delinquent with a penchant for the macabre. Friends recall his boasts of Satanic worship and his desire to commit murder before the age of nineteen. By 1974, Nance had graduated from Sentinel High School, leaving behind a reputation that hinted at a dark future.

A Startling Beginning in the 1970s

Nance's sinister journey possibly began on April 11, 1974, with the murder of Donna Lorraine Pounds in West Riverside, Montana. At 39 years old, Pounds encountered Nance in her home, where he wielded her husband's .22 caliber Luger rifle. He fired a warning shot into the bedroom wall, tied her with a white clothesline, and tragically, after raping her, shot her five times in the head in her basement. Witnesses placed Nance, a familiar face at the Pounds residence, near the scene. Yet, despite the evidence, insufficient proof meant Nance never faced charges for this heinous crime.

Following high school, Nance served in the U.S. Navy from 1974 until 1977, when misconduct charges led to his discharge. His travels during military service opened the possibility of additional, undiscovered crimes.

The Murky 1980s

Nance's trail of terror continued into the 1980s, coinciding with the disappearance of Devonna Nelson in Seattle, Washington, in July 1978. Her body, discovered in 1980 near Missoula, bore the signs of a violent end. Though not definitively linked, Nance remained a suspect in her murder, as well as in the death of Marcella Cheri "Marci" Bachmann. Bachmann, a runaway from Vancouver, Washington, was found in December 1984, buried in a shallow grave. Nance, who had been seen with Bachmann, was strongly suspected of her murder, with her remains identified through DNA in 2006.

Janet Lee Lucas's skeletal remains, discovered in 1985, added to the tapestry of terror. Known initially as "Christy Crystal Creek," Lucas wasn't identified until 2021, with Nance as the primary suspect in her murder.

The Shook Murders

Nance's brutality reached a crescendo on December 12, 1985, when he murdered Michael and Teresa Shook in Ravalli County, Montana. Introducing himself as "Conan the Barbarian," Nance invaded their home, shooting Teresa and stabbing Michael. The couple's four children, locked away by Nance, survived the attack, later rescued by neighbors. Evidence found in Nance's possession linked him to these murders, cementing his reputation as a cold-blooded killer.

The Final Assault

On September 3, 1986, Nance met his demise while attempting to murder Douglas and Kristen Wells. A co-worker of Doug's, Nance attacked him, tied up the couple, and stabbed Doug. Despite his injuries, Doug managed to shoot Nance in a dramatic struggle. Nance succumbed to his injuries the following day, marking the end of his reign of terror.

The Aftermath

Following Nance's death, authorities connected him to multiple unsolved murders through physical evidence. His chilling legacy remains a haunting chapter in Montana's history, a reminder of the darkness that can lurk behind seemingly ordinary facades.

Sources

This narrative has been adapted from the comprehensive details found on Wikipedia, preserving the full account of Wayne Nance's life and crimes.