Michael Torrence: The Dark Tale of a Serial Killer

Background

Michael Rian Torrence (April 15, 1961 – September 6, 1996) was not just a name in the annals of crime; he was an American serial killer whose heinous acts shocked South Carolina in the late 1980s. Responsible for the brutal murders of three individuals from February to March 1987, Torrence committed two of these murders in collaboration with his brother and sister-in-law, Donna. His chilling journey through the justice system led him to be sentenced to death for one murder and two life terms for the others, culminating in an execution that he voluntarily opted for in 1996.

Quick Facts

• Born: April 15, 1961, Pine Ridge, South Carolina, U.S.
• Died: September 6, 1996 (aged 35) at Broad River Correctional Institution, Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
• Cause of Death: Execution by lethal injection
• Criminal Status: Executed
• Convictions: Murder (3 counts), Armed robbery, Burglary
• Criminal Penalty: Death
• Victims: 3
• Span of Crimes: February 11 – March 28, 1987
• Country: United States
• State: South Carolina
• Date Apprehended: April 6, 1987

Murders and Arrest

The saga begins in early 1987 when 20-year-old Donna Michele Webb Torrence, a topless dancer at "The Carriage House," a strip club near Fort Jackson, voiced her frustrations to her husband, 28-year-old Thomas John Torrence. She claimed that two patrons had taunted her, and in a twisted effort to exact revenge, Thomas enlisted the help of his younger brother, Michael. Together with Donna, they concocted a plan to rob these men.

The duo tracked down their targets—31-year-old Charles Alan Bush and 41-year-old Dennis Lollis, both engineers at the M. Lowenstein Corporation textile mill in Olympia—and located them at their shared room at the Red Roof Inn in Cayce. On February 11, Donna knocked on the door, feigning car trouble to persuade Bush to give her a ride. Once inside her family home, the trap was set. Michael, who had been lurking behind the door, slammed it shut as Bush entered, and together with Thomas, they unleashed a brutal assault using a tire thumper and a dog chain.

After overpowering Bush, the brothers stole the key to the motel room and headed to the Red Carpet Inn, where they found Lollis asleep. In a horrific act, they stabbed him over 20 times, leaving him for dead and absconding with whatever valuables they could find. The next day, Lollis's body was discovered, and forensic evidence confirmed the gruesome details of his murder.

As the dust settled, the Torrences fled Pine Ridge, seeking refuge in Charleston. However, their reign of terror was far from over. On March 28, Michael picked up a 20-year-old prostitute, Cynthia M. Williams. An argument erupted between them, leading to Michael pulling out a shotgun and shooting her directly in the chest. He callously discarded her body on I-526, where it was soon discovered by unsuspecting motorists. Given he was the last person seen with her, police quickly identified Michael as the prime suspect.

On April 6, 1987, both brothers were arrested at their Charleston home. During interrogation, they confessed to the murders of Bush and Lollis and even led authorities to where they had buried Bush's body.

Trial, Volunteering, and Execution

Following their arrest, the Torrences were held without bond in separate facilities—Donna and Thomas in Lexington County, while Michael was held in Charleston County. The severity of their crimes caught the attention of prosecutors, who seriously considered pursuing the death penalty against all three defendants. However, as the trial progressed, only Michael was ultimately sentenced to death for Lollis's murder, receiving life sentences for the other two murders, while Thomas also received a life term. Donna, hoping to mitigate her own punishment, accepted a plea deal in exchange for testifying against her husband and brother-in-law.

In a twist of fate, the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Michael's sentence just a year later, leading to a new trial in 1994. Once again, he was found guilty and resentenced to death. But what was truly remarkable was Torrence's own desire to expedite the process. He began petitioning to drop all his appeals, expressing a preference for execution over life imprisonment.

This decision led to frequent clashes with his court-appointed attorney, Joe Savitz, who believed Torrence was mentally unstable. Savitz cited his client's claims of having killed a family in Guatemala while working as a mercenary, a claim disputed by Torrence's father, who noted his son was incarcerated in North Carolina at that time.

Despite Savitz's concerns, Torrence remained resolute in his desire for death. He expressed no remorse for his victims during multiple interviews, asserting that he understood the gravity of his actions but felt no guilt. His insistence on dropping appeals was ultimately granted, and he was scheduled for execution on September 6, 1996.

As the date approached, Dennis Lollis's widow, Shelby, announced her intention to attend the execution, viewing it as a necessary act to honor her late husband. On the day of execution, Torrence was put to death by lethal injection at the Broad River Correctional Institution, all while Hurricane Fran loomed ominously over South Carolina.

Before his death, Torrence's lawyer read a handwritten statement in which he claimed to now "acknowledge and understand the effects" of his crimes. He expressed a wish that his execution might bring closure to the victims' families, and he proclaimed that he had accepted God as his savior. Interestingly, his last meal request—which included steak, shrimp, and lobster from a local Japanese restaurant—was denied, and instead, he received a humble serving of shrimp with cocktail sauce and strawberry shortcake.

In a grim coincidence, Torrence was executed on the same day as Douglas Franklin Wright, another serial killer put to death in Oregon.

Conclusion

Michael Torrence's story is a chilling reminder of the darkness that can reside within individuals and the devastating impact their actions can have on countless lives. His case, marked by violence, betrayal, and a controversial end, remains a haunting chapter in the annals of American criminal history.

Sources

• "Offender Information Michael R Torrence." North Carolina Department of Public Safety. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
• "Condemned man dies of lethal injection." United Press International. September 6, 1996. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
• "Three charged in killings." The Index-Journal. April 7, 1987.
• "Three family members held in Lexington slayings." The Greenville News. April 7, 1987.
• "Condemned killer ready to die." The Greenville News. September 20, 1994.
• "Three indicted in murders of engineers." The Index-Journal. July 22, 1987.
• "Blunt object used to kill Spartan man." The Greenville News. April 8, 1987.
• Gary Karr. "S.C. Executes Murderer; Oregon Plans First Execution In 34 Years." Associated Press. September 6, 1996. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022.
• "Death Row inmate says lawyer won't let him talk." The Times and Democrat. January 22, 1994.
• "Murderer wants state's top court to allow his execution." The Greenville News. September 21, 1994.
• "Woman wants to watch killer die." The Index-Journal. September 5, 1996.
• "South Carolina executes killer." The Index-Journal. September 6, 1996.
• "Oregon and South Carolina Execute Killers." The New York Times. September 7, 1996. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2022.