Milton Johnson
Illinois Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Will County, Illinois
TIME PERIOD
June 25 – August 25, 1983
VICTIMS
14 confirmed
Milton Johnson, known as "The Weekend Murderer," was an American serial killer responsible for a series of murders in Will County, Illinois, occurring between June 25 and August 25, 1983. Johnson, born on May 15, 1950, was on parole for previous violent crimes when he committed up to 14 murders, including the killings of two police officers, Denis Foley and Steven Mayer, who were serving as auxiliary deputies. He was apprehended on March 9, 1984, and subsequently convicted of five counts of murder, among other charges, receiving a death sentence that was later commuted to life imprisonment. Johnson died in prison on May 16, 2025, one day after his 75th birthday, leaving behind a legacy of terror marked by the brutal slayings of multiple victims, including those at the Greenware by Merry Ceramic shop.
Milton Johnson is theorized to have targeted vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and young adults, during a specific period in 1983, leading to a series of brutal murders. Some speculate that his previous criminal history, including violent offenses, may have contributed to his escalation into serial killing. Additionally, there is speculation about potential undiscovered victims, as he was linked to a larger number of murders than he was convicted for.
The Gruesome Legacy of Milton Johnson: The Weekend Murderer
In the quiet midwestern town of Joliet, Illinois, the summer of 1983 was anything but ordinary. Milton Johnson, born on May 15, 1950, would soon become infamous as "The Weekend Murderer" and leave a trail of fear and death that would haunt the community for decades. Johnson's dark spree of violence, spanning from June 25 to August 25, 1983, claimed the lives of at least fourteen individuals, including two police officers, and would eventually lead to his capture, conviction, and lifelong imprisonment.
A Dark Past
Before the summer of terror, Milton Johnson's criminal record painted a grim picture. He had spent thirteen years behind bars, from 1970 to 1983, for crimes of aggravated battery, burglary, and rape. Upon his release, he was on parole, a fact that would later ignite outrage as he embarked on his murderous rampage in Will County, Illinois.
The Victims
Johnson's reign of terror began with the brutal murders of Zita Blum, 66, and her sister Honora Lahmann, 67, on June 25, 1983. The violence continued unabated. On July 2, 1983, Kenneth Chancellor, 34, and Terri Lynn Johnson, 19, fell victim to his savagery. By July 16, the list of victims had grown to include George Kiehl, 24, Cathleen Norwood, 25, Richard Paulin, 32, Denis Foley, 50, and Steven Mayer, 22. Foley and Mayer were not just any victims; they were Will County Auxiliary Deputies, adding a chilling note to Johnson's audacious spree.
But the horror did not end there. On July 17, 18-year-old Anthony Hackett was killed. The bloodshed reached a crescendo on August 20, 1983, with the murders of Marilyn Baers, 45, Barbara Dunbar, 38, Anna Ryan, 75, and Pamela Ryan, 25, all of whom met their end at the Greenware by Merry Ceramic shop. Of these heinous acts, Johnson would be convicted of the murders of Hackett, Baers, Dunbar, and the Ryans.
Capture and Conviction
Milton Johnson's terror came to an end when he was apprehended on March 9, 1984. The evidence was overwhelming, and the judicial system swiftly moved to hold him accountable. He was convicted on multiple charges: five counts of murder, attempted murder, two counts of rape, deviate sexual assault, burglary, and aggravated battery. Initially sentenced to death, his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment, sparing him the death penalty but ensuring he would never again walk free.
Death Behind Bars
The walls of Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Illinois, became the final chapter in Milton Johnson's life. On May 16, 2025, just a day after his 75th birthday, Johnson died in prison, leaving behind a legacy of fear and unanswered questions about the depths of human evil.
Theories and Legacy
Throughout his life and even after his death, Milton Johnson's case has remained a topic of morbid fascination and speculation. How could a man on parole commit such heinous acts? Could more have been done to prevent the massacre? These questions linger, as do the memories of those whose lives he ended so abruptly.
Johnson's story is a grim reminder of the dark potential lurking within human nature and the impact of one man's actions on an unsuspecting community. His name remains etched in the annals of American crime as a symbol of brutality and terror.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Milton Johnson
- "Serial killer true crime library * serial killer news * list of serial killers * serial murder * female serial killers * crime scene investigation * tueur en serie * omicidi seriali" (Archived 2016)
- Ferak, John (August 19, 2023). "Ceramic Shop Murders Terrorized Joliet: 40 Years Ago". Patch.com.
- "People v. Johnson". Justia Law.
- Ferak, John (July 23, 2019). "Joliet Mass Murderer Terrorized Area 35 Years Ago". Patch.
- "People v. Johnson (1986)". Justia.
- "People v. Johnson (1987)". Justia.
- "Joliet's Notorious Serial Killer Milton Johnson Dies At Age 75, Funeral Planned In Joliet".
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 Murders
Milton Johnson commits his first murders, killing Zita Blum and her sister Honora Lahmann.
Additional Murders
Johnson murders Kenneth Chancellor and Terri Lynn Johnson, escalating his crime spree.
Mass Murder Incident
Johnson kills five victims, including police deputies Denis Foley and Steven Mayer.
Final Murders
Johnson murders four more victims, including Anna Ryan and Pamela Ryan, at a ceramic shop.
Arrest of Milton Johnson
Milton Johnson is apprehended by authorities after a lengthy investigation.
Trial Begins
Johnson's trial begins, focusing on the multiple murders he committed.
Conviction
Milton Johnson is convicted of multiple counts of murder and sentenced to death.
Death in Prison
Milton Johnson dies in prison, one day after his 75th birthday.
Milton Johnson, known as "The Weekend Murderer," was an American serial killer responsible for a series of murders in Will County, Illinois, occurring between June 25 and August 25, 1983. Johnson, born on May 15, 1950, was on parole for previous violent crimes when he committed up to 14 murders, including the killings of two police officers, Denis Foley and Steven Mayer, who were serving as auxiliary deputies. He was apprehended on March 9, 1984, and subsequently convicted of five counts of murder, among other charges, receiving a death sentence that was later commuted to life imprisonment. Johnson died in prison on May 16, 2025, one day after his 75th birthday, leaving behind a legacy of terror marked by the brutal slayings of multiple victims, including those at the Greenware by Merry Ceramic shop.
Milton Johnson is theorized to have targeted vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and young adults, during a specific period in 1983, leading to a series of brutal murders. Some speculate that his previous criminal history, including violent offenses, may have contributed to his escalation into serial killing. Additionally, there is speculation about potential undiscovered victims, as he was linked to a larger number of murders than he was convicted for.
The Gruesome Legacy of Milton Johnson: The Weekend Murderer
In the quiet midwestern town of Joliet, Illinois, the summer of 1983 was anything but ordinary. Milton Johnson, born on May 15, 1950, would soon become infamous as "The Weekend Murderer" and leave a trail of fear and death that would haunt the community for decades. Johnson's dark spree of violence, spanning from June 25 to August 25, 1983, claimed the lives of at least fourteen individuals, including two police officers, and would eventually lead to his capture, conviction, and lifelong imprisonment.
A Dark Past
Before the summer of terror, Milton Johnson's criminal record painted a grim picture. He had spent thirteen years behind bars, from 1970 to 1983, for crimes of aggravated battery, burglary, and rape. Upon his release, he was on parole, a fact that would later ignite outrage as he embarked on his murderous rampage in Will County, Illinois.
The Victims
Johnson's reign of terror began with the brutal murders of Zita Blum, 66, and her sister Honora Lahmann, 67, on June 25, 1983. The violence continued unabated. On July 2, 1983, Kenneth Chancellor, 34, and Terri Lynn Johnson, 19, fell victim to his savagery. By July 16, the list of victims had grown to include George Kiehl, 24, Cathleen Norwood, 25, Richard Paulin, 32, Denis Foley, 50, and Steven Mayer, 22. Foley and Mayer were not just any victims; they were Will County Auxiliary Deputies, adding a chilling note to Johnson's audacious spree.
But the horror did not end there. On July 17, 18-year-old Anthony Hackett was killed. The bloodshed reached a crescendo on August 20, 1983, with the murders of Marilyn Baers, 45, Barbara Dunbar, 38, Anna Ryan, 75, and Pamela Ryan, 25, all of whom met their end at the Greenware by Merry Ceramic shop. Of these heinous acts, Johnson would be convicted of the murders of Hackett, Baers, Dunbar, and the Ryans.
Capture and Conviction
Milton Johnson's terror came to an end when he was apprehended on March 9, 1984. The evidence was overwhelming, and the judicial system swiftly moved to hold him accountable. He was convicted on multiple charges: five counts of murder, attempted murder, two counts of rape, deviate sexual assault, burglary, and aggravated battery. Initially sentenced to death, his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment, sparing him the death penalty but ensuring he would never again walk free.
Death Behind Bars
The walls of Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Illinois, became the final chapter in Milton Johnson's life. On May 16, 2025, just a day after his 75th birthday, Johnson died in prison, leaving behind a legacy of fear and unanswered questions about the depths of human evil.
Theories and Legacy
Throughout his life and even after his death, Milton Johnson's case has remained a topic of morbid fascination and speculation. How could a man on parole commit such heinous acts? Could more have been done to prevent the massacre? These questions linger, as do the memories of those whose lives he ended so abruptly.
Johnson's story is a grim reminder of the dark potential lurking within human nature and the impact of one man's actions on an unsuspecting community. His name remains etched in the annals of American crime as a symbol of brutality and terror.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Milton Johnson
- "Serial killer true crime library * serial killer news * list of serial killers * serial murder * female serial killers * crime scene investigation * tueur en serie * omicidi seriali" (Archived 2016)
- Ferak, John (August 19, 2023). "Ceramic Shop Murders Terrorized Joliet: 40 Years Ago". Patch.com.
- "People v. Johnson". Justia Law.
- Ferak, John (July 23, 2019). "Joliet Mass Murderer Terrorized Area 35 Years Ago". Patch.
- "People v. Johnson (1986)". Justia.
- "People v. Johnson (1987)". Justia.
- "Joliet's Notorious Serial Killer Milton Johnson Dies At Age 75, Funeral Planned In Joliet".
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 Murders
Milton Johnson commits his first murders, killing Zita Blum and her sister Honora Lahmann.
Additional Murders
Johnson murders Kenneth Chancellor and Terri Lynn Johnson, escalating his crime spree.
Mass Murder Incident
Johnson kills five victims, including police deputies Denis Foley and Steven Mayer.
Final Murders
Johnson murders four more victims, including Anna Ryan and Pamela Ryan, at a ceramic shop.
Arrest of Milton Johnson
Milton Johnson is apprehended by authorities after a lengthy investigation.
Trial Begins
Johnson's trial begins, focusing on the multiple murders he committed.
Conviction
Milton Johnson is convicted of multiple counts of murder and sentenced to death.
Death in Prison
Milton Johnson dies in prison, one day after his 75th birthday.