Michael Singh
American Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Gallup, New Mexico
TIME PERIOD
1975-1982
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Michael Herbert Singh, a Trinidadian-born American, committed a series of murders between 1975 and 1982, primarily in New Mexico and Missouri. His first known victim was 16-year-old Candace Lynn Starr, whom he kidnapped at gunpoint from her home in Los Angeles on September 21, 1975, and later shot in Gallup, New Mexico. Following this, Singh murdered his first wife, Mary Singh, in 1977, and his second wife in 1982, for which he was apprehended on May 26, 1982. Singh was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the final murder and was subsequently detained at a mental health facility until his death on March 30, 2005, when he was stabbed by a fellow inmate. Key evidence in the case included witness accounts of the kidnapping and the eventual identification of Starr through DNA matching in 2009, which linked her to Singh's earlier crimes.
Michael Singh is theorized to have been influenced by his traumatic experiences during the Vietnam War, which may have contributed to his violent behavior. Some believe that his struggles with mental health issues, particularly after his military service and business failures, played a significant role in his descent into serial killing. Additionally, there is speculation that his change of name and relocation were attempts to escape his past and start anew, but ultimately led to further violence.
The Troubling Tale of Michael Herbert Singh
Michael Herbert Singh, born Rupert Sookman on February 25, 1945, in Trinidad and Tobago, is a name etched in the annals of American serial killers. His story, spanning from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s, is one of violence and tragedy, leaving behind a trail of heartbreak across two states—New Mexico and Missouri.
Early Life
The roots of Singh's tumultuous life were planted in the vibrant landscapes of Trinidad and Tobago. He was one of seven children born to Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonian parents. Little is documented about his childhood, but after completing high school, he pursued a career in education, teaching at both elementary and high school levels. Seeking a new life, Singh and his family relocated to Denver, Colorado, hoping to escape the racial discrimination they faced back home.
In Denver, Singh enlisted in the United States Army and served during the Vietnam War. After an honorable discharge, he returned to Denver and ventured into the clothing business. However, his entrepreneurial dreams floundered, leaving him without an income. He re-enlisted in the Army but soon left again, unable to adjust. Seeking a fresh start, he moved to Los Angeles, California, and adopted the name Michael Herbert Singh.
The Murders
Candace Starr
In the bustling city of Los Angeles, 1975 marked the beginning of a dark chapter in Singh's life. He entered into a relationship with 16-year-old Candace Lynn Starr. However, Singh's violent tendencies soon surfaced, causing the young girl to end the relationship. Unable to accept this rejection, Singh resorted to a terrifying act of violence. On September 21, he abducted Starr at gunpoint from her home, witnessed by her two younger sisters. The harrowing ordeal ended at a convenience store in Gallup, New Mexico, where Singh shot Starr dead. Despite witnesses catching a glimpse of Singh and his van, the authorities could not identify the victim for decades. Starr's identity remained a mystery until 2009, when DNA evidence linked her to a profile on The Doe Network.
Mary Singh
After escaping the initial murder scene, Singh relocated to Springfield, Missouri. There, he married Mary Ann Spain, a 29-year-old divorcée and mother of two, who worked as an operating room technician. However, the marriage quickly descended into acrimony, marred by Singh's aggression. On September 23, 1976, a heated argument culminated in Singh shooting Mary in front of her home. Her young daughter witnessed the murder and immediately alerted the neighbors, who called the police. The autopsy revealed Mary had been shot in the chin, with three more bullets striking her chest and arm.
Singh was apprehended later that day near Houston, Missouri. The arresting officer found a pistol in his car, and despite Singh's claims of being an unemployed construction worker, he was extradited back to Missouri. There, he faced second-degree murder charges and was held on a $75,000 bail.
Legal Proceedings
Singh's trial was initially set for March 1977. However, a violent outburst during a hearing led to a postponement as he required a second mental evaluation. Despite showing erratic behavior, psychiatrists at the Fulton State Hospital deemed him sane, and the trial was rescheduled for August 1.
In an attempt to delay proceedings, Singh made several legal maneuvers, including filing a petition against Circuit Judge James H. Keet, citing bias. His requests for delay were denied, and the trial proceeded with Mary's two children testifying as primary witnesses. A forensic pathologist detailed the fatal gunshot wounds, emphasizing the bullet that took Mary's life.
In his defense, Singh portrayed Mary as the aggressor, alleging she was a closeted bisexual attempting to coerce him into unwanted relationships. These claims were refuted by family and witnesses, including the arresting officer. The jury convicted Singh of manslaughter in a 12–1 decision, sentencing him to ten years in prison. Despite his conviction, Singh was awarded half of Mary's $9,500 life insurance policy in 1980, as the manslaughter charge did not disqualify him from the claim.
Susan Singh
After serving four years, Singh was transferred to the Missouri Department of Corrections Honor Center in Kansas City. Here, he married Susan Irving, but the cycle of violence continued. On May 13, 1982, Susan filed an assault complaint against Singh, accusing him of kicking her in the face and ribs. Before the scheduled court appearance, Singh absconded during a work release and abducted Susan. On May 25, he brutally murdered her in a rural area near Camden Point.
Police discovered Singh attempting to bury Susan's body after responding to a trespassing complaint. A chase ensued, ending with Singh's arrest. While awaiting trial, he attempted a prison escape on July 4, but his plan was foiled by a fellow inmate.
Imprisonment and Death
Singh's murder trial for Susan's death was scheduled for July 16, 1984. Despite some psychiatrists declaring him "grossly disturbed," he was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to the Fulton Medical Clinic for treatment.
The story of Michael Singh came to a violent end on March 30, 2005. While at the Fulton Medical Clinic, he was stabbed to death by Rahaman M. Muhammad, an inmate who sought a return to police custody. Four years after Singh's death, DNA evidence conclusively identified him as Candace Starr's murderer.
Sources
For further reading and verification, please refer to the original article on Wikipedia.
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Candace Starr Kidnapped and Murdered
Michael Singh kidnaps Candace Starr at gunpoint and later murders her in Gallup, New Mexico.
Mary Singh Murdered
Singh shoots his wife Mary Ann Spain during an argument in Springfield, Missouri.
Singh Arrested
Michael Singh is arrested shortly after the murder of his wife Mary Singh.
Singh Convicted of Manslaughter
Singh is found guilty of manslaughter in the death of his wife Mary and sentenced to 10 years.
Susan Singh Murdered
Singh abducts and murders his wife Susan Irving near Camden Point, Missouri.
Singh Apprehended
Michael Singh is arrested after attempting to escape following the murder of his wife Susan.
Trial for Susan's Murder
Singh's trial for the murder of Susan Irving begins; he is found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Singh's Death
Michael Singh is stabbed to death by a fellow inmate at the Fulton Medical Clinic.
Candace Starr Identified
Candace Starr is identified as a victim of Singh after DNA evidence matches her profile.
Michael Herbert Singh, a Trinidadian-born American, committed a series of murders between 1975 and 1982, primarily in New Mexico and Missouri. His first known victim was 16-year-old Candace Lynn Starr, whom he kidnapped at gunpoint from her home in Los Angeles on September 21, 1975, and later shot in Gallup, New Mexico. Following this, Singh murdered his first wife, Mary Singh, in 1977, and his second wife in 1982, for which he was apprehended on May 26, 1982. Singh was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the final murder and was subsequently detained at a mental health facility until his death on March 30, 2005, when he was stabbed by a fellow inmate. Key evidence in the case included witness accounts of the kidnapping and the eventual identification of Starr through DNA matching in 2009, which linked her to Singh's earlier crimes.
Michael Singh is theorized to have been influenced by his traumatic experiences during the Vietnam War, which may have contributed to his violent behavior. Some believe that his struggles with mental health issues, particularly after his military service and business failures, played a significant role in his descent into serial killing. Additionally, there is speculation that his change of name and relocation were attempts to escape his past and start anew, but ultimately led to further violence.
The Troubling Tale of Michael Herbert Singh
Michael Herbert Singh, born Rupert Sookman on February 25, 1945, in Trinidad and Tobago, is a name etched in the annals of American serial killers. His story, spanning from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s, is one of violence and tragedy, leaving behind a trail of heartbreak across two states—New Mexico and Missouri.
Early Life
The roots of Singh's tumultuous life were planted in the vibrant landscapes of Trinidad and Tobago. He was one of seven children born to Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonian parents. Little is documented about his childhood, but after completing high school, he pursued a career in education, teaching at both elementary and high school levels. Seeking a new life, Singh and his family relocated to Denver, Colorado, hoping to escape the racial discrimination they faced back home.
In Denver, Singh enlisted in the United States Army and served during the Vietnam War. After an honorable discharge, he returned to Denver and ventured into the clothing business. However, his entrepreneurial dreams floundered, leaving him without an income. He re-enlisted in the Army but soon left again, unable to adjust. Seeking a fresh start, he moved to Los Angeles, California, and adopted the name Michael Herbert Singh.
The Murders
Candace Starr
In the bustling city of Los Angeles, 1975 marked the beginning of a dark chapter in Singh's life. He entered into a relationship with 16-year-old Candace Lynn Starr. However, Singh's violent tendencies soon surfaced, causing the young girl to end the relationship. Unable to accept this rejection, Singh resorted to a terrifying act of violence. On September 21, he abducted Starr at gunpoint from her home, witnessed by her two younger sisters. The harrowing ordeal ended at a convenience store in Gallup, New Mexico, where Singh shot Starr dead. Despite witnesses catching a glimpse of Singh and his van, the authorities could not identify the victim for decades. Starr's identity remained a mystery until 2009, when DNA evidence linked her to a profile on The Doe Network.
Mary Singh
After escaping the initial murder scene, Singh relocated to Springfield, Missouri. There, he married Mary Ann Spain, a 29-year-old divorcée and mother of two, who worked as an operating room technician. However, the marriage quickly descended into acrimony, marred by Singh's aggression. On September 23, 1976, a heated argument culminated in Singh shooting Mary in front of her home. Her young daughter witnessed the murder and immediately alerted the neighbors, who called the police. The autopsy revealed Mary had been shot in the chin, with three more bullets striking her chest and arm.
Singh was apprehended later that day near Houston, Missouri. The arresting officer found a pistol in his car, and despite Singh's claims of being an unemployed construction worker, he was extradited back to Missouri. There, he faced second-degree murder charges and was held on a $75,000 bail.
Legal Proceedings
Singh's trial was initially set for March 1977. However, a violent outburst during a hearing led to a postponement as he required a second mental evaluation. Despite showing erratic behavior, psychiatrists at the Fulton State Hospital deemed him sane, and the trial was rescheduled for August 1.
In an attempt to delay proceedings, Singh made several legal maneuvers, including filing a petition against Circuit Judge James H. Keet, citing bias. His requests for delay were denied, and the trial proceeded with Mary's two children testifying as primary witnesses. A forensic pathologist detailed the fatal gunshot wounds, emphasizing the bullet that took Mary's life.
In his defense, Singh portrayed Mary as the aggressor, alleging she was a closeted bisexual attempting to coerce him into unwanted relationships. These claims were refuted by family and witnesses, including the arresting officer. The jury convicted Singh of manslaughter in a 12–1 decision, sentencing him to ten years in prison. Despite his conviction, Singh was awarded half of Mary's $9,500 life insurance policy in 1980, as the manslaughter charge did not disqualify him from the claim.
Susan Singh
After serving four years, Singh was transferred to the Missouri Department of Corrections Honor Center in Kansas City. Here, he married Susan Irving, but the cycle of violence continued. On May 13, 1982, Susan filed an assault complaint against Singh, accusing him of kicking her in the face and ribs. Before the scheduled court appearance, Singh absconded during a work release and abducted Susan. On May 25, he brutally murdered her in a rural area near Camden Point.
Police discovered Singh attempting to bury Susan's body after responding to a trespassing complaint. A chase ensued, ending with Singh's arrest. While awaiting trial, he attempted a prison escape on July 4, but his plan was foiled by a fellow inmate.
Imprisonment and Death
Singh's murder trial for Susan's death was scheduled for July 16, 1984. Despite some psychiatrists declaring him "grossly disturbed," he was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to the Fulton Medical Clinic for treatment.
The story of Michael Singh came to a violent end on March 30, 2005. While at the Fulton Medical Clinic, he was stabbed to death by Rahaman M. Muhammad, an inmate who sought a return to police custody. Four years after Singh's death, DNA evidence conclusively identified him as Candace Starr's murderer.
Sources
For further reading and verification, please refer to the original article on Wikipedia.
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
Loading comments...
Candace Starr Kidnapped and Murdered
Michael Singh kidnaps Candace Starr at gunpoint and later murders her in Gallup, New Mexico.
Mary Singh Murdered
Singh shoots his wife Mary Ann Spain during an argument in Springfield, Missouri.
Singh Arrested
Michael Singh is arrested shortly after the murder of his wife Mary Singh.
Singh Convicted of Manslaughter
Singh is found guilty of manslaughter in the death of his wife Mary and sentenced to 10 years.
Susan Singh Murdered
Singh abducts and murders his wife Susan Irving near Camden Point, Missouri.
Singh Apprehended
Michael Singh is arrested after attempting to escape following the murder of his wife Susan.
Trial for Susan's Murder
Singh's trial for the murder of Susan Irving begins; he is found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Singh's Death
Michael Singh is stabbed to death by a fellow inmate at the Fulton Medical Clinic.
Candace Starr Identified
Candace Starr is identified as a victim of Singh after DNA evidence matches her profile.