The Forest Killer: The Chilling Crimes of Michael Cox

Introduction

In the serene town of Placerville, California, a series of gruesome murders shattered the tranquility of the community in the summer of 1984. The perpetrator was Michael Anthony Cox, a man who would come to be known as "The Forest Killer," a moniker bestowed upon him by the media. Born on May 17, 1956, in Monterey County, California, Cox's life was marred by a troubled past, leading to his conviction for the murders of three teenage girls. He now awaits execution following his death sentence in 1985.

Early Life

Michael Anthony Cox's life began in the scenic landscapes of Monterey County, California, where he was the eldest of seven siblings. His early years were marked by family turmoil; his biological father parted ways with his mother, Jean Stokes, during her pregnancy. Jean later married Forest Jayne, a man who cast a shadow over Cox's adolescence. Jayne was suspected of molesting Cox and was known to have drugged and molested a neighborhood boy in 1969, a scandal that prompted the family to flee Monterey County.

A dramatic incident occurred during a snowstorm, when Jayne accidentally drove their family car off a cliff. Cox heroically saved his mother and one of his younger brothers, taking on the responsibility of caring for his siblings while his mother recovered from broken ribs in the hospital. As he grew, Cox attended El Dorado High School, where he worked as a student aid in the library. Yet his life was further complicated by epilepsy and an alcohol addiction.

The Murders

After completing high school, Cox found employment with a youth forestry conservation crew, a job that introduced him to several local adolescents. Among them were Debbie and Denise Galston, 14-year-old twins living in a foster home in Placerville. Cox's interactions with Denise were anything but friendly; he often insulted her with derogatory terms, calling her a "slut" and a "hoser."

On June 12, 1984, Denise was socializing with friends near a local landmark, the Bell Tower, a popular hangout spot for teenagers. Cox, driving nearby, approached 17-year-old Joanna Napoletano, a fellow resident of the Galston twins' foster home. He offered her a ride to a party at a nearby park, but his intentions quickly turned sinister as he made unwanted advances. Napoletano managed to escape and confided in Denise about the encounter.

Later that night, Denise found herself alone and was approached by Cox once more. He lured her into his car under the pretense of attending a party, and Napoletano reluctantly joined them. The ride soon turned into a nightmare when Cox drove to a secluded underpass, brandished a knife, and attacked Denise, stabbing her in the throat. Napoletano escaped and flagged down a passing car but, out of fear, kept silent about the attack. Cox disposed of Denise's body in the dense woodlands of Pollock Pines in the Eldorado National Forest.

Two weeks later, on June 29, Cox encountered 17-year-old Lynda Burrill at a downtown Placerville club. He persuaded her to accompany him to the parking lot, where he kidnapped and murdered her in a remote location. Then, on August 8, Debbie Galston, Denise's twin, fell prey to Cox while walking to a party. He killed her in a manner reminiscent of her sister's murder and left her body near an oil rig.

The Investigation

The unsettling discovery of Denise Galston's partial remains by a logging crew on July 31 ignited fear among Placerville's residents. Just five days later, Lynda Burrill's remains were unearthed, prompting investigators to suspect a single killer. Although Debbie Galston's body had yet to be found by early September, some of her clothes were discovered along a highway. Her skeletal remains were eventually located in late October, identified through dental records.

On August 12, a Placer County police officer stumbled upon Cox sleeping in his car. The officer's search revealed a fully loaded .357-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver, handcuffs, and a knife with its scabbard. Despite being interviewed twice as a suspect, Cox denied any involvement in the murders. However, Joanna Napoletano's eventual decision to share her story led to Cox's arrest on November 10, 1984.

Trial and Imprisonment

Cox faced indictment on three murder charges on November 14, 1984, to which he pleaded not guilty in January 1985. His trial, held in July of that year, culminated in a guilty verdict. During the penalty phase, Cox's defense attorneys implored the jury to consider his troubled upbringing as a mitigating factor against the death penalty. Nevertheless, on August 7, the jury returned a death sentence. Cox was subsequently transferred to San Quentin State Prison, where he remains on death row.

Sources

• [Jury recommends death penalty for El Dorado County Murderer. The Press-Tribune. August 8, 1985.]
• [Attorney asks jury to spare triple killer. The Sacramento Bee. August 7, 1985.]
• [People v. Cox (2003).]
• [Lambert, Marjie. January 19, 1985. Cox pleads innocent to murdering 3 teenagers. The Sacramento Bee.]
• [Remains of third person found. Ukiah Daily Journal. October 30, 1994.]
• [Information sought on slayings of El Dorado girls. The Sacramento Bee. August 30, 1984.]
• [Flinn, John. September 1, 1984. Killer preys on teenage girls. The San Francisco Examiner.]
• [Lambert, Marjie. November 17, 1984. New evidence resulted in slaying suspect's arrest. The Sacramento Bee.]
• [Man convicted of teen killings. Record Searchlight. July 19, 1985.]

For more details on Michael Cox, please refer to the Wikipedia article.