Monroe Hickson
Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Aiken, South Carolina
TIME PERIOD
April to October 1946
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
Monroe Hickson, an American serial killer, committed four murders and attempted a fifth in Aiken, South Carolina, between April and October 1946. His first victim was David Garrett, whom he killed with an axe on April 17, followed by the fatal shooting of Mary Bennett and the wounding of her husband, Edward, on April 28. Hickson's crime spree culminated in the murder of Annie Wiseburg on September 28. Although he was arrested in 1957 for assault, it was only then that he confessed to the murders, leading to the exoneration of L.D. Harris, who had been wrongfully convicted for two of the crimes. Hickson was sentenced to four life terms but escaped custody in 1966; he remained a fugitive until his death in North Carolina in 1968, prior to being recaptured.
Monroe Hickson is believed to have committed his murders due to a combination of psychological issues and a desire for power, as he often chose victims he perceived as vulnerable. Some speculate that his abrupt confession in 1957 was motivated by a need for attention or remorse, while others suggest he may have been influenced by his time in prison. Additionally, there is a theory that his escape from custody in 1966 was planned to avoid facing the consequences of his actions, highlighting his desire for freedom despite the gravity of his crimes.
The Unraveling of Monroe Hickson: A Tale of Crime and Justice
Introduction to the Dark Tale
Monroe Hickson, born on July 8, 1908, in Aiken, South Carolina, was not a name known to many until his crimes came to light. His story weaves a chilling narrative of murder, wrongful conviction, and a dramatic escape. Hickson was an American serial killer who left a trail of bloodshed in Aiken during 1946. His actions claimed four lives, with a fifth victim narrowly escaping death. Yet, his heinous acts went unnoticed for over a decade until a fateful confession in 1957. Before this revelation, another man, L.D. Harris, was wrongly convicted and sentenced to death for two of Hickson's murders. After confessing, Hickson was convicted and sentenced to four life terms, but his story did not end there.
The Early Years
Hickson's life began in the quiet surroundings of Aiken County. Despite lacking formal education, he was regarded as intelligent, with a penchant for reading the Bible, which he carried with him often. His early years, however, were marred by brushes with the law. In 1931, Hickson was convicted for assault with intent to kill, leading to a five-year prison sentence, though he was released early in 1933. Just four years later, in 1937, he faced arrest again, this time for burglary and larceny, which resulted in a one-year prison stint.
The String of Murders
The year 1946 marked the beginning of Hickson's murderous spree. On April 17, he committed his first known murder, attacking David Garrett with an axe at Garrett’s shop in Aiken, killing him on the spot. After the murder, Hickson robbed the shop and stole a pistol. This weapon would soon be used again.
Eleven days later, on April 28, Hickson entered the grocery store owned by Edward and Mary Bennett. Armed with the stolen gun, he shot Mary dead and injured Edward. Before succumbing to his injuries, Edward managed to tell the police, "a big negro shot me and robbed me." The community was in shock, and the authorities quickly connected the murders, offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest.
The violence didn't end there. On September 28, Hickson attacked Annie Wiseburg in her home, stabbing and bludgeoning her to death. In October, he targeted a female liquor store clerk with a brick, but she survived, leading to his arrest soon after. However, at the time, police did not connect him to the previous murders. Convicted for this assault, Hickson received a 20-year prison sentence.
The Wrongful Conviction of L.D. Harris
Amidst the investigation into the Bennett murders, suspicion fell on L.D. Harris, who had left for Nashville, Tennessee, shortly after the slayings. Harris, unable to read or write, was interrogated without legal representation and confessed under duress. His trial began in January 1947, where his defense argued that the confession was coerced, lacking corroborative evidence. Despite this, the jury found Harris guilty, sentencing him to death.
Harris's legal team appealed to the Supreme Court of South Carolina, challenging the confession's validity. However, their efforts proved futile. In 1948, they took the fight to the United States Supreme Court. The justices identified several factors rendering the confession involuntary: Harris was uninformed of his rights, denied access to family or legal counsel, and subjected to relentless pressure. In June 1949, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to reverse Harris's sentence, leading to his release.
Capture, Confession, and Escape
Monroe Hickson's violent tendencies resurfaced on August 8, 1957, when he attempted to kill Lucy Hill Parker, leaving her with a grave head injury. Sheriff Wyman Busch, noticing similarities between this crime and unsolved murders, interrogated Hickson. Under questioning, Hickson confessed to the four murders from 1946, attributing his actions to intoxication each time. This confession led to his conviction and four life sentences.
Hickson was incarcerated at Manning Correctional Institution in Columbia, South Carolina. On March 10, 1966, he seized an opportunity to escape while working in the prison yard. Despite a federal warrant issued the next month, Hickson vanished without a trace. His elusive nature earned him a spot on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on February 17, 1967.
The Final Chapter
The end of Monroe Hickson's story came unexpectedly. In 1968, a couple from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, reported their suspicion that a migrant farm worker named Willie Tyler was Hickson in disguise. This man had died on December 29, 1967. A fingerprint analysis confirmed the grim truth—Willie Tyler was indeed Monroe Hickson.
Sources
For more detailed information, please refer to the original Wikipedia article on Monroe Hickson.
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First Murder Committed
Monroe Hickson kills David Garrett with an axe in Aiken.
Bennett Murders
Hickson fatally shoots Mary Bennett and injures Edward Bennett.
Annie Wiseburg Murder
Hickson stabs and bludgeons Annie Wiseburg to death.
Arrest for Assault
Hickson is arrested for assaulting Lucy Hill Parker and confesses to four murders.
Conviction and Sentencing
Hickson is sentenced to four life terms for the murders.
Prison Escape
Hickson escapes from Manning Correctional Institution.
FBI Ten Most Wanted
Hickson is added to the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
Death Confirmed
Monroe Hickson is found dead in North Carolina, ending the manhunt.
Monroe Hickson, an American serial killer, committed four murders and attempted a fifth in Aiken, South Carolina, between April and October 1946. His first victim was David Garrett, whom he killed with an axe on April 17, followed by the fatal shooting of Mary Bennett and the wounding of her husband, Edward, on April 28. Hickson's crime spree culminated in the murder of Annie Wiseburg on September 28. Although he was arrested in 1957 for assault, it was only then that he confessed to the murders, leading to the exoneration of L.D. Harris, who had been wrongfully convicted for two of the crimes. Hickson was sentenced to four life terms but escaped custody in 1966; he remained a fugitive until his death in North Carolina in 1968, prior to being recaptured.
Monroe Hickson is believed to have committed his murders due to a combination of psychological issues and a desire for power, as he often chose victims he perceived as vulnerable. Some speculate that his abrupt confession in 1957 was motivated by a need for attention or remorse, while others suggest he may have been influenced by his time in prison. Additionally, there is a theory that his escape from custody in 1966 was planned to avoid facing the consequences of his actions, highlighting his desire for freedom despite the gravity of his crimes.
The Unraveling of Monroe Hickson: A Tale of Crime and Justice
Introduction to the Dark Tale
Monroe Hickson, born on July 8, 1908, in Aiken, South Carolina, was not a name known to many until his crimes came to light. His story weaves a chilling narrative of murder, wrongful conviction, and a dramatic escape. Hickson was an American serial killer who left a trail of bloodshed in Aiken during 1946. His actions claimed four lives, with a fifth victim narrowly escaping death. Yet, his heinous acts went unnoticed for over a decade until a fateful confession in 1957. Before this revelation, another man, L.D. Harris, was wrongly convicted and sentenced to death for two of Hickson's murders. After confessing, Hickson was convicted and sentenced to four life terms, but his story did not end there.
The Early Years
Hickson's life began in the quiet surroundings of Aiken County. Despite lacking formal education, he was regarded as intelligent, with a penchant for reading the Bible, which he carried with him often. His early years, however, were marred by brushes with the law. In 1931, Hickson was convicted for assault with intent to kill, leading to a five-year prison sentence, though he was released early in 1933. Just four years later, in 1937, he faced arrest again, this time for burglary and larceny, which resulted in a one-year prison stint.
The String of Murders
The year 1946 marked the beginning of Hickson's murderous spree. On April 17, he committed his first known murder, attacking David Garrett with an axe at Garrett’s shop in Aiken, killing him on the spot. After the murder, Hickson robbed the shop and stole a pistol. This weapon would soon be used again.
Eleven days later, on April 28, Hickson entered the grocery store owned by Edward and Mary Bennett. Armed with the stolen gun, he shot Mary dead and injured Edward. Before succumbing to his injuries, Edward managed to tell the police, "a big negro shot me and robbed me." The community was in shock, and the authorities quickly connected the murders, offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest.
The violence didn't end there. On September 28, Hickson attacked Annie Wiseburg in her home, stabbing and bludgeoning her to death. In October, he targeted a female liquor store clerk with a brick, but she survived, leading to his arrest soon after. However, at the time, police did not connect him to the previous murders. Convicted for this assault, Hickson received a 20-year prison sentence.
The Wrongful Conviction of L.D. Harris
Amidst the investigation into the Bennett murders, suspicion fell on L.D. Harris, who had left for Nashville, Tennessee, shortly after the slayings. Harris, unable to read or write, was interrogated without legal representation and confessed under duress. His trial began in January 1947, where his defense argued that the confession was coerced, lacking corroborative evidence. Despite this, the jury found Harris guilty, sentencing him to death.
Harris's legal team appealed to the Supreme Court of South Carolina, challenging the confession's validity. However, their efforts proved futile. In 1948, they took the fight to the United States Supreme Court. The justices identified several factors rendering the confession involuntary: Harris was uninformed of his rights, denied access to family or legal counsel, and subjected to relentless pressure. In June 1949, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to reverse Harris's sentence, leading to his release.
Capture, Confession, and Escape
Monroe Hickson's violent tendencies resurfaced on August 8, 1957, when he attempted to kill Lucy Hill Parker, leaving her with a grave head injury. Sheriff Wyman Busch, noticing similarities between this crime and unsolved murders, interrogated Hickson. Under questioning, Hickson confessed to the four murders from 1946, attributing his actions to intoxication each time. This confession led to his conviction and four life sentences.
Hickson was incarcerated at Manning Correctional Institution in Columbia, South Carolina. On March 10, 1966, he seized an opportunity to escape while working in the prison yard. Despite a federal warrant issued the next month, Hickson vanished without a trace. His elusive nature earned him a spot on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on February 17, 1967.
The Final Chapter
The end of Monroe Hickson's story came unexpectedly. In 1968, a couple from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, reported their suspicion that a migrant farm worker named Willie Tyler was Hickson in disguise. This man had died on December 29, 1967. A fingerprint analysis confirmed the grim truth—Willie Tyler was indeed Monroe Hickson.
Sources
For more detailed information, please refer to the original Wikipedia article on Monroe Hickson.
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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First Murder Committed
Monroe Hickson kills David Garrett with an axe in Aiken.
Bennett Murders
Hickson fatally shoots Mary Bennett and injures Edward Bennett.
Annie Wiseburg Murder
Hickson stabs and bludgeons Annie Wiseburg to death.
Arrest for Assault
Hickson is arrested for assaulting Lucy Hill Parker and confesses to four murders.
Conviction and Sentencing
Hickson is sentenced to four life terms for the murders.
Prison Escape
Hickson escapes from Manning Correctional Institution.
FBI Ten Most Wanted
Hickson is added to the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
Death Confirmed
Monroe Hickson is found dead in North Carolina, ending the manhunt.