Michigan Murders
Michigan Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Ann Arbor, Michigan
TIME PERIOD
1967-1969
VICTIMS
7 confirmed
Between July 1967 and July 1969, a series of brutal homicides targeting young women occurred in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti areas of Michigan, attributed to John Norman Collins, also known as the Michigan Murderer or the Co-Ed Killer. Collins was apprehended on July 30, 1969, and subsequently convicted of first-degree murder, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. The case is considered solved, with Collins currently incarcerated at the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility.
Theories surrounding the Michigan Murders suggest that the perpetrator, John Norman Collins, exhibited a specific pattern in his choice of victims, all of whom were young women who were menstruating at the time of their deaths. This detail has led investigators to speculate that the murderer’s rage may have been triggered by this biological factor, intertwining sexual motives with a psychological need for control and dominance. Additionally, there are theories about the possibility of other alleged murders linked to Collins, indicating a broader scope of his criminal behavior beyond the confirmed cases.
The Michigan Murders: A Chilling Tale of Terror in Southeastern Michigan
The Michigan Murders represent a haunting chapter in the annals of true crime, marked by a series of brutal killings of young women in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti areas between 1967 and 1969. The shadowy figure behind these heinous acts, known variously as the Ypsilanti Ripper, the Michigan Murderer, and the Co-Ed Killer, left an indelible mark on the community and the nation.
Key Facts
- Perpetrator: John Norman Collins (also known as John Norman Chapman)
- Born: June 17, 1947, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- Conviction: First-degree murder for the death of Karen Sue Beineman
- Criminal Penalty: Life imprisonment
- Victims: 7 confirmed (1 in California, 5 alleged)
- Span of Crimes: July 9, 1967 – July 23, 1969
- Date Apprehended: July 30, 1969
- Imprisoned At: G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
The victims, all young women aged between 13 and 21, faced horrific fates: abduction, rape, and brutal murder, often accompanied by extreme violence. Investigators noted that each victim was menstruating at the time of her death, leading them to suspect that this detail fueled the killer's rage.
The Victims
Mary Terese Fleszar: The First Known Victim
The grim saga began with Mary Terese Fleszar, a 19-year-old accounting student at Eastern Michigan University. Last seen on the evening of July 9, 1967, she was approached by a young man in a blue-grey Chevrolet. Her body was discovered weeks later, badly decomposed and brutally stabbed approximately thirty times. The evidence indicated that Fleszar had been subjected to severe physical violence before her death, a harbinger of the horrors yet to unfold.
Joan Elspeth Schell: A Young Artist’s Tragic End
Almost a year later, on July 5, 1968, the body of 20-year-old art student Joan Elspeth Schell was found in Ann Arbor. She had been raped and stabbed twenty-five times. The brutal nature of her murder mirrored that of Fleszar, establishing a chilling pattern that would haunt investigators.
Maralynn Skelton: The Innocent Teenager
On March 24, 1969, the lifeless body of 16-year-old Maralynn Skelton was discovered, lying face-up on a blue jacket. The attack was vicious—she had been tortured and beaten, with her body discarded in a degrading position. The brutality of her murder raised alarms, prompting police to link her case to the previous ones.
Dawn Louise Basom: The Youngest Victim
The horror escalated with the murder of 13-year-old Dawn Louise Basom on April 15, 1969. Discovered on a desolate road, she had been stabbed multiple times, strangled, and subjected to horrific physical torture. Her murder further solidified the fear gripping the community.
Alice Elizabeth Kalom and Karen Sue Beineman: The Final Murders
Kalom, a 21-year-old graduate student, was murdered on June 8, 1969, with evidence suggesting she had also been raped. The series culminated in the brutal killing of 18-year-old Karen Sue Beineman on July 23, 1969. Her body was found bearing the marks of unspeakable violence, confirming the killer's escalating brutality.
The Investigation and Arrest
John Norman Collins was apprehended just days after Beineman's murder. His arrest was the result of mounting evidence linking him to the crime scenes. Eyewitness accounts placed him near the locations of several murders, and his unsettling fascination with the details of the crimes raised red flags with investigators. Despite a wealth of circumstantial evidence, Collins maintained his innocence.
The Trial
Collins' trial began in June 1970, attracting significant media attention. The prosecution presented a compelling case, weaving together eyewitness testimonies and forensic evidence that painted a damning picture of Collins as the Michigan Murderer. On August 19, 1970, he was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Aftermath and Legacy
While Collins remains incarcerated, the Michigan Murders left a lasting impact on the community and highlighted the vulnerabilities of young women in the era. The case continues to resonate, serving as a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of everyday life.
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First Victim Disappears
Mary Terese Fleszar, a 19-year-old student, goes missing.
First Victim Found
The body of Mary Terese Fleszar is discovered, showing signs of violent murder.
Second Victim Disappears
Joan Elspeth Schell, a 20-year-old art student, goes missing.
Second Victim Found
Joan Elspeth Schell's body is discovered, revealing similar murder patterns.
Third Victim Disappears
Jane Louise Mixer, a 23-year-old law student, goes missing.
Third Victim Found
Jane Louise Mixer's body is discovered in Denton Cemetery.
Fourth Victim Found
The body of 13-year-old Dawn Louise Basom is discovered, linked to the series.
Suspect Arrested
John Norman Collins is arrested as a suspect in the Michigan Murders.
Conviction
John Norman Collins is found guilty of the first-degree murder of Karen Sue Beineman.
Sentencing
John Norman Collins is sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
Between July 1967 and July 1969, a series of brutal homicides targeting young women occurred in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti areas of Michigan, attributed to John Norman Collins, also known as the Michigan Murderer or the Co-Ed Killer. Collins was apprehended on July 30, 1969, and subsequently convicted of first-degree murder, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. The case is considered solved, with Collins currently incarcerated at the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility.
Theories surrounding the Michigan Murders suggest that the perpetrator, John Norman Collins, exhibited a specific pattern in his choice of victims, all of whom were young women who were menstruating at the time of their deaths. This detail has led investigators to speculate that the murderer’s rage may have been triggered by this biological factor, intertwining sexual motives with a psychological need for control and dominance. Additionally, there are theories about the possibility of other alleged murders linked to Collins, indicating a broader scope of his criminal behavior beyond the confirmed cases.
The Michigan Murders: A Chilling Tale of Terror in Southeastern Michigan
The Michigan Murders represent a haunting chapter in the annals of true crime, marked by a series of brutal killings of young women in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti areas between 1967 and 1969. The shadowy figure behind these heinous acts, known variously as the Ypsilanti Ripper, the Michigan Murderer, and the Co-Ed Killer, left an indelible mark on the community and the nation.
Key Facts
- Perpetrator: John Norman Collins (also known as John Norman Chapman)
- Born: June 17, 1947, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- Conviction: First-degree murder for the death of Karen Sue Beineman
- Criminal Penalty: Life imprisonment
- Victims: 7 confirmed (1 in California, 5 alleged)
- Span of Crimes: July 9, 1967 – July 23, 1969
- Date Apprehended: July 30, 1969
- Imprisoned At: G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility
The victims, all young women aged between 13 and 21, faced horrific fates: abduction, rape, and brutal murder, often accompanied by extreme violence. Investigators noted that each victim was menstruating at the time of her death, leading them to suspect that this detail fueled the killer's rage.
The Victims
Mary Terese Fleszar: The First Known Victim
The grim saga began with Mary Terese Fleszar, a 19-year-old accounting student at Eastern Michigan University. Last seen on the evening of July 9, 1967, she was approached by a young man in a blue-grey Chevrolet. Her body was discovered weeks later, badly decomposed and brutally stabbed approximately thirty times. The evidence indicated that Fleszar had been subjected to severe physical violence before her death, a harbinger of the horrors yet to unfold.
Joan Elspeth Schell: A Young Artist’s Tragic End
Almost a year later, on July 5, 1968, the body of 20-year-old art student Joan Elspeth Schell was found in Ann Arbor. She had been raped and stabbed twenty-five times. The brutal nature of her murder mirrored that of Fleszar, establishing a chilling pattern that would haunt investigators.
Maralynn Skelton: The Innocent Teenager
On March 24, 1969, the lifeless body of 16-year-old Maralynn Skelton was discovered, lying face-up on a blue jacket. The attack was vicious—she had been tortured and beaten, with her body discarded in a degrading position. The brutality of her murder raised alarms, prompting police to link her case to the previous ones.
Dawn Louise Basom: The Youngest Victim
The horror escalated with the murder of 13-year-old Dawn Louise Basom on April 15, 1969. Discovered on a desolate road, she had been stabbed multiple times, strangled, and subjected to horrific physical torture. Her murder further solidified the fear gripping the community.
Alice Elizabeth Kalom and Karen Sue Beineman: The Final Murders
Kalom, a 21-year-old graduate student, was murdered on June 8, 1969, with evidence suggesting she had also been raped. The series culminated in the brutal killing of 18-year-old Karen Sue Beineman on July 23, 1969. Her body was found bearing the marks of unspeakable violence, confirming the killer's escalating brutality.
The Investigation and Arrest
John Norman Collins was apprehended just days after Beineman's murder. His arrest was the result of mounting evidence linking him to the crime scenes. Eyewitness accounts placed him near the locations of several murders, and his unsettling fascination with the details of the crimes raised red flags with investigators. Despite a wealth of circumstantial evidence, Collins maintained his innocence.
The Trial
Collins' trial began in June 1970, attracting significant media attention. The prosecution presented a compelling case, weaving together eyewitness testimonies and forensic evidence that painted a damning picture of Collins as the Michigan Murderer. On August 19, 1970, he was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Aftermath and Legacy
While Collins remains incarcerated, the Michigan Murders left a lasting impact on the community and highlighted the vulnerabilities of young women in the era. The case continues to resonate, serving as a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of everyday life.
Sources
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...
First Victim Disappears
Mary Terese Fleszar, a 19-year-old student, goes missing.
First Victim Found
The body of Mary Terese Fleszar is discovered, showing signs of violent murder.
Second Victim Disappears
Joan Elspeth Schell, a 20-year-old art student, goes missing.
Second Victim Found
Joan Elspeth Schell's body is discovered, revealing similar murder patterns.
Third Victim Disappears
Jane Louise Mixer, a 23-year-old law student, goes missing.
Third Victim Found
Jane Louise Mixer's body is discovered in Denton Cemetery.
Fourth Victim Found
The body of 13-year-old Dawn Louise Basom is discovered, linked to the series.
Suspect Arrested
John Norman Collins is arrested as a suspect in the Michigan Murders.
Conviction
John Norman Collins is found guilty of the first-degree murder of Karen Sue Beineman.
Sentencing
John Norman Collins is sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.