Michael Durocher
Jacksonville Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Jacksonville, Florida
TIME PERIOD
1983-1988
VICTIMS
5 confirmed
Michael Durocher, an American convicted serial killer, murdered five individuals between 1983 and 1988 in Jacksonville, Florida. The first three victims were his girlfriend Grace Reed and her two children, six-month-old Joshua and five-year-old Candice, killed between November 25 and 30, 1983, during the Thanksgiving holiday. Durocher later killed Thomas Underwood III in 1986 during a robbery and, in 1988, he murdered his roommate Eddie Dwayne Childers with a hammer. After initially being sentenced to life imprisonment for Childers' murder, Durocher confessed to the earlier killings, resulting in four death sentences. He was executed by electrocution on August 25, 1993, at the age of 33. Significant evidence included Durocher's confessions and forensic links to the crime scenes, leading to his convictions.
Michael Durocher is believed to have had a troubled upbringing, which some speculate contributed to his violent behavior later in life. There is a theory that his early criminal activities and subsequent lack of stable relationships may have played a role in his eventual descent into serial murder. Additionally, some investigators suggest that Durocher's murders were driven by a combination of financial desperation and personal rage, particularly in the case of his girlfriend and her children.
The Dark Path of Michael Durocher: A Tale of Murder and Justice
A Sinister Beginning
Michael Alan Durocher was born on January 22, 1960, in Jacksonville, Florida. From the start, his life seemed to be marked by tumult and tragedy. Dropping out of high school, he took up work as a carpenter and landscaper. However, the shadows of his youth loomed large, as he was arrested several times for juvenile offenses. At the age of 20, he was convicted of grand theft and sentenced to jail in 1980. Little did anyone know that this young man's life would take a far more sinister turn.
The Jacksonville Triple Murders of 1983
In a haunting series of events between November 25 and 30, 1983, Durocher committed the unthinkable. He murdered his 29-year-old girlfriend, Grace Reed, along with their six-month-old son, Joshua Durocher, and Grace's five-year-old daughter, Candice Reed, in Jacksonville, Florida. His motives remain shrouded in mystery.
Durocher met Grace Reed and her daughter in New Jersey in 1981, and the relationship blossomed despite the distance. By early 1983, Grace had given birth to their son, Joshua. In a chilling narrative of betrayal, Durocher brought them to Florida, where their lives would tragically end. The exact details of the murders are murky, with Durocher offering different versions. In one account, he and Grace discussed a murder-suicide pact over Jack Daniel's, leading to the brutal killings. In another, he claimed doubts about Joshua's paternity drove his actions after New Jersey welfare authorities pursued child support.
The Murder of Thomas Underwood III
Fast forward to January 12, 1986. Durocher's killing spree continued with the murder of 27-year-old Thomas Underwood III. Driven by a twisted plan to rob a window decorations store, Durocher ended Underwood's life in cold blood. His actions were motivated by a desire to finance a trip to Louisiana, where he intended to kill his father. However, upon learning of his father's terminal cancer, Durocher abandoned the plan, but not before committing another heinous act.
The Death of Eddie Dwayne Childers
On August 6, 1988, Michael Durocher claimed his final victim, his 38-year-old roommate Eddie Dwayne Childers. In a brutal attack, Durocher bludgeoned Childers to death with a hammer over unpaid wages. The gruesome scene concluded with Childers' body being set on fire near a lake, where it was discovered by passers-by.
A Path to Justice
The law eventually caught up with Durocher. Three weeks after Childers' murder, a tip from Durocher's teenage girlfriend led police to him. A five-hour standoff ensued before his surrender on August 24, 1988. Convicted of Childers' murder, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in January 1989, a fate his subsequent confessions would alter.
While awaiting sentencing, Durocher confessed to Detective John Bradley about his involvement in the 1986 murder of Thomas Underwood. This led to another trial, where he was found guilty and sentenced to death on July 7, 1989. His journey through the justice system was far from over.
Confession and Consequences
Durocher contacted authorities again, confessing to the 1983 Jacksonville triple murders. With the skeletal remains of Candice and Joshua discovered just before his trial, the prosecution postponed proceedings to ensure justice was served. On March 6, 1991, Durocher pled guilty to these murders, and the jury swiftly recommended the death penalty.
Despite attempts by the state Office of Capital Collateral Representative to appeal his sentences, Durocher was resolute in his decision to face execution. On August 25, 1993, at the age of 33, he was executed by electrocution at Florida State Prison. His last meal was an unusual request of five pounds of fried jumbo shrimp, a pint of chocolate ice cream, and a two-liter bottle of Pepsi. Durocher declined to make a final statement before his execution.
A Case Closed
Michael Durocher's case remains a chilling reminder of the depths of human depravity and the pursuit of justice. As one of the few who volunteered for execution, his story is etched into the annals of true crime, a grim testament to a life marked by violence and its ultimate retribution.
Sources
For more detailed information, please refer to the original Wikipedia article: Michael Durocher
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Triple Murder Committed
Michael Durocher murders his girlfriend and her two children in Jacksonville.
Murder of Thomas Underwood
Durocher kills Thomas Underwood during a robbery at a window decorations store.
Murder of Eddie Childers
Durocher kills his roommate Eddie Childers with a hammer and burns the body.
Arrest After Standoff
Durocher surrenders to police after a five-hour standoff while armed.
Sentenced to Life
Durocher is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Eddie Childers.
Indicted for Triple Murder
Durocher is indicted for the murders of Grace Reed and her two children.
Guilty Plea for Triple Murder
Durocher pleads guilty to the murders of Grace Reed and her children.
Death Warrant Signed
Florida Governor signs death warrant for Durocher's execution.
Execution by Electrocution
Michael Durocher is executed by electric chair at Florida State Prison.
Michael Durocher, an American convicted serial killer, murdered five individuals between 1983 and 1988 in Jacksonville, Florida. The first three victims were his girlfriend Grace Reed and her two children, six-month-old Joshua and five-year-old Candice, killed between November 25 and 30, 1983, during the Thanksgiving holiday. Durocher later killed Thomas Underwood III in 1986 during a robbery and, in 1988, he murdered his roommate Eddie Dwayne Childers with a hammer. After initially being sentenced to life imprisonment for Childers' murder, Durocher confessed to the earlier killings, resulting in four death sentences. He was executed by electrocution on August 25, 1993, at the age of 33. Significant evidence included Durocher's confessions and forensic links to the crime scenes, leading to his convictions.
Michael Durocher is believed to have had a troubled upbringing, which some speculate contributed to his violent behavior later in life. There is a theory that his early criminal activities and subsequent lack of stable relationships may have played a role in his eventual descent into serial murder. Additionally, some investigators suggest that Durocher's murders were driven by a combination of financial desperation and personal rage, particularly in the case of his girlfriend and her children.
The Dark Path of Michael Durocher: A Tale of Murder and Justice
A Sinister Beginning
Michael Alan Durocher was born on January 22, 1960, in Jacksonville, Florida. From the start, his life seemed to be marked by tumult and tragedy. Dropping out of high school, he took up work as a carpenter and landscaper. However, the shadows of his youth loomed large, as he was arrested several times for juvenile offenses. At the age of 20, he was convicted of grand theft and sentenced to jail in 1980. Little did anyone know that this young man's life would take a far more sinister turn.
The Jacksonville Triple Murders of 1983
In a haunting series of events between November 25 and 30, 1983, Durocher committed the unthinkable. He murdered his 29-year-old girlfriend, Grace Reed, along with their six-month-old son, Joshua Durocher, and Grace's five-year-old daughter, Candice Reed, in Jacksonville, Florida. His motives remain shrouded in mystery.
Durocher met Grace Reed and her daughter in New Jersey in 1981, and the relationship blossomed despite the distance. By early 1983, Grace had given birth to their son, Joshua. In a chilling narrative of betrayal, Durocher brought them to Florida, where their lives would tragically end. The exact details of the murders are murky, with Durocher offering different versions. In one account, he and Grace discussed a murder-suicide pact over Jack Daniel's, leading to the brutal killings. In another, he claimed doubts about Joshua's paternity drove his actions after New Jersey welfare authorities pursued child support.
The Murder of Thomas Underwood III
Fast forward to January 12, 1986. Durocher's killing spree continued with the murder of 27-year-old Thomas Underwood III. Driven by a twisted plan to rob a window decorations store, Durocher ended Underwood's life in cold blood. His actions were motivated by a desire to finance a trip to Louisiana, where he intended to kill his father. However, upon learning of his father's terminal cancer, Durocher abandoned the plan, but not before committing another heinous act.
The Death of Eddie Dwayne Childers
On August 6, 1988, Michael Durocher claimed his final victim, his 38-year-old roommate Eddie Dwayne Childers. In a brutal attack, Durocher bludgeoned Childers to death with a hammer over unpaid wages. The gruesome scene concluded with Childers' body being set on fire near a lake, where it was discovered by passers-by.
A Path to Justice
The law eventually caught up with Durocher. Three weeks after Childers' murder, a tip from Durocher's teenage girlfriend led police to him. A five-hour standoff ensued before his surrender on August 24, 1988. Convicted of Childers' murder, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in January 1989, a fate his subsequent confessions would alter.
While awaiting sentencing, Durocher confessed to Detective John Bradley about his involvement in the 1986 murder of Thomas Underwood. This led to another trial, where he was found guilty and sentenced to death on July 7, 1989. His journey through the justice system was far from over.
Confession and Consequences
Durocher contacted authorities again, confessing to the 1983 Jacksonville triple murders. With the skeletal remains of Candice and Joshua discovered just before his trial, the prosecution postponed proceedings to ensure justice was served. On March 6, 1991, Durocher pled guilty to these murders, and the jury swiftly recommended the death penalty.
Despite attempts by the state Office of Capital Collateral Representative to appeal his sentences, Durocher was resolute in his decision to face execution. On August 25, 1993, at the age of 33, he was executed by electrocution at Florida State Prison. His last meal was an unusual request of five pounds of fried jumbo shrimp, a pint of chocolate ice cream, and a two-liter bottle of Pepsi. Durocher declined to make a final statement before his execution.
A Case Closed
Michael Durocher's case remains a chilling reminder of the depths of human depravity and the pursuit of justice. As one of the few who volunteered for execution, his story is etched into the annals of true crime, a grim testament to a life marked by violence and its ultimate retribution.
Sources
For more detailed information, please refer to the original Wikipedia article: Michael Durocher
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
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Triple Murder Committed
Michael Durocher murders his girlfriend and her two children in Jacksonville.
Murder of Thomas Underwood
Durocher kills Thomas Underwood during a robbery at a window decorations store.
Murder of Eddie Childers
Durocher kills his roommate Eddie Childers with a hammer and burns the body.
Arrest After Standoff
Durocher surrenders to police after a five-hour standoff while armed.
Sentenced to Life
Durocher is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Eddie Childers.
Indicted for Triple Murder
Durocher is indicted for the murders of Grace Reed and her two children.
Guilty Plea for Triple Murder
Durocher pleads guilty to the murders of Grace Reed and her children.
Death Warrant Signed
Florida Governor signs death warrant for Durocher's execution.
Execution by Electrocution
Michael Durocher is executed by electric chair at Florida State Prison.