The Sinister Saga of Michael Bear Carson and Suzan Carson: A True Crime Tale

James Clifford Carson, later known as Michael Bear Carson, and Susan Barnes Carson, who became Suzan Bear Carson, were not your average couple. They were an infamous American serial killer duo whose reign of terror spanned from 1981 to 1983, casting a shadow across Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Ultimately, they were convicted of three murders, though their sinister activities hinted at far more.

The Descent Begins: Background

The story begins in 1977 in Phoenix, Arizona, where James Carson's life took a dark turn. His wife noticed alarming behavioral changes and, fearing for her safety and that of their daughter Jennifer, decided to leave him. Meanwhile, Carson found solace in the company of Susan Barnes, a divorcée with two teenage sons. Their shared interest in illicit drugs and mysticism drew them closer. Eventually, they married, and James adopted the name "Michael Bear," claiming divine intervention, while Susan transformed into "Suzan Bear."

In 1980, after a year-long European sojourn, the Carsons settled in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, diving deep into the counterculture and drug scene. Michael's ex-wife, terrified he might harm her or abduct their daughter, took drastic measures to escape his reach, including frequent moves and cutting off contact with mutual acquaintances.

The Murders Unfold

March 1981 marked the beginning of their murderous spree. Karen Barnes, a 23-year-old aspiring actress from Georgia and the Carsons' roommate, was brutally murdered in their San Francisco apartment. Stabbed thirteen times and her skull crushed, she was wrapped in a blanket and hidden in the basement. The investigation quickly zeroed in on the Carsons as prime suspects due to evidence suggesting Karen's killer was someone she knew. However, the couple vanished before the body was found. Later, they confessed that Suzan had declared Karen a witch, sealing her fate.

Seeking refuge, the Carsons fled to a mountain hideout near Grants Pass, Oregon, before moving to Alderpoint, California, in spring 1982. There, they lived on a marijuana farm, espousing anarchist ideals and predicting an impending nuclear apocalypse. In May 1982, tensions on the farm escalated when Michael shot and killed Clark Stephens, a fellow worker, following a dispute. Attempting to cover their tracks, they burned his body and buried it under chicken fertilizer. When Stephens was reported missing, the discovery of his charred remains led authorities back to the Carsons, who had once again fled.

As detectives scoured their abandoned belongings, they stumbled upon a chilling manifesto advocating the assassination of then-President Ronald Reagan. Despite this discovery, the Carsons remained elusive.

In November 1982, Michael was briefly detained in Los Angeles after being spotted hitchhiking, but due to a police error, he was released before Humboldt County detectives could question him. What he left behind was a trail of evidence, including a mugshot, address information, and a gun in a police car.

The Carsons resurfaced in January 1983, hitchhiking near Bakersfield. They were picked up by Jon Charles Hellyar, a 30-year-old en route to Santa Rosa. Suzan, convinced Hellyar was a witch, decided he had to die. An argument erupted while Hellyar drove along U.S. Route 101 in Sonoma County, escalating into a physical altercation. The car stopped on River Road, where Suzan stabbed Hellyar during a struggle over a gun. Michael gained control of the weapon and shot Hellyar in plain view of passing motorists, one of whom alerted the police. A high-speed chase ensued, culminating in the Carsons crashing Hellyar's car and being apprehended.

Confessions, Trials, and Aftermath

The Carsons initially confessed to the murders of Hellyar, Stephens, and Barnes during a press conference. However, by the time of the trial, they had recanted their confessions and pleaded not guilty. On June 12, 1984, they were convicted of Barnes' murder, receiving 25-year sentences. They were later convicted for the murders of Stephens and Hellyar, receiving sentences of 50 years to life and 75 years to life, respectively. The First District Court of Appeal upheld their third conviction in 1989, as it had done with the previous two convictions.

Michael is currently incarcerated at Mule Creek State Prison, while Suzan serves her sentence at the Central California Women's Facility. In interviews with KGO-TV, the San Francisco Chronicle, and homicide investigators, the Carsons described themselves as "vegetarian Moslem warriors." They claimed their mission was to eliminate individuals they believed were witches, earning them the moniker "the San Francisco Witch Killers."

They asserted that Karen Barnes had feigned conversion to their faith and was depleting Suzan's health and yogic powers. Their rationale for the other murders stemmed from alleged sexual assaults and abuse by Stephens and Hellyar. Despite their convictions, the Carsons have shown no remorse for their actions. They spoke of travels through Europe, the American Southwest, and California, maintaining a list of intended targets, including prominent figures like Reagan and Johnny Carson. Richard D. Reynolds, who chronicled their story in "Cry For War," suggested they were suspects in nearly a dozen other deaths in the U.S. and Europe.

Cultural Impact

The chilling tale of Michael Bear Carson and Suzan Carson has permeated popular culture, inspiring a nonfiction book by Richard D. Reynolds titled "Cry For War" and featuring in various true crime documentaries such as "Deadly Women," "Wicked Attraction," "The Devil You Know," and "Snapped: Killer Couples." Their story is also discussed in podcasts and television series, including an episode of "Criminology" and "This is Life with Lisa Ling." In 2018, their crimes were highlighted in the Netflix docu-series "Murder Mountain."

Sources

• Wikipedia URL: Michael Bear Carson and Suzan Carson