Nicholas Wiley

Overview

Nicholas Lee Wiley, born on July 17, 1962, is an infamous American serial killer who earned the chilling moniker "The Syracuse Serial Killer." This title stems from his heinous acts committed against at least three women in Syracuse, New York, in 2004. While Wiley claimed to have murdered a total of seven individuals, his assertions were never substantiated. For his known crimes, he received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Quick Facts

• Born: July 17, 1962 (age 62)
• Location: Syracuse, New York, U.S.
• Other Names: The Syracuse Serial Killer
• Conviction: First-degree murder (3 counts)
• Criminal Penalty: Life imprisonment without parole
• Victims: 3–7
• Span of Crimes: April – May 31, 2004
• Country: United States
• State: New York
• Date Apprehended: June 2, 2004

Early Life

Nicholas Wiley's early years were marked by a troubling trajectory. Born in Syracuse, he had a criminal history that began around 1979. In 1983, he was accused of a brutal attack on 66-year-old Doris Lando, where he struck her repeatedly with a hammer, cut her phone lines, and robbed her. His legal defense argued that he was denied effective assistance of counsel, which led to a reduction in his sentence, and he was released from prison sometime before 1990.

Wiley's criminal behavior escalated, and in 1991, he was sentenced to twelve years for the sexual assault and beating of a 16-year-old girl. After serving his time, he was released on January 22, 2004, and subsequently registered as a level 3 sex offender, the highest classification that indicates a high risk of re-offending.

Confirmed Victims

Just a few months after his release, tragedy struck in Syracuse. On April 11, 2004, 17-year-old Tammy Passineau vanished without a trace. A single mother standing at only 5'3", she was last seen with a friend in the 100 block of West Water Street. Authorities initially struggled to find her due to her status as a known drifter, and her family did not report her missing until May.

The investigation into her disappearance intensified after Wiley's arrest. On May 31, 2004, 31-year-old Lottie Thompson, a mother of three, was found brutally stabbed to death in her apartment, which coincidentally was located in the same West Onondaga Street building where Wiley resided. The very next day, June 1, investigators discovered the body of 22-year-old Hannah Finnerty hidden inside a trash can outside the building. Like Thompson, Finnerty had suffered multiple stab wounds, further solidifying the vicious pattern of violence.

Arrest

Wiley's arrest followed closely after Finnerty's body was unearthed. Upon questioning, he confessed to committing a shocking total of seven murders within just two months, claiming victims that included four women, two men, and a teenage gang member. However, his confessions were met with skepticism as investigators found no evidence supporting his grandiose claims.

Despite the lack of corroboration for his seven alleged victims, detectives began to focus on Wiley as a suspect in Tammy Passineau's disappearance when he described killing a red-haired girl named Tammy in April. This detail aligned alarmingly well with Passineau's description. A search of Wiley's apartment yielded a box cutter with blood that was later matched to Passineau’s DNA, leading to his indictment for her murder in December 2004. Tragically, Passineau's remains have never been found, leaving her family without closure.

Trial and Imprisonment

During the trial for Passineau's murder, Wiley claimed he had been driven to violence after a conversation about sexual predators and prison, asserting that this triggered him to slash Passineau's throat. He also recounted killing Thompson in a fit of rage during sex, stating he slit her throat in a moment of anger. His final victim, Finnerty, was killed after she attempted to negotiate for more crack cocaine, an act that he claimed pushed him over the edge. In a chilling twist, he concluded his confession by stating he felt like a "ninja" during his murders.

Wiley's defense team attempted to convince the jury that he was a mentally unstable individual who was coerced into confessing. They also argued against the first-degree murder charge, claiming the killings did not fit the profile. However, the judge pointed to a relevant 1995 ruling that supported the prosecution's case. Ultimately, the jury, consisting of six men and six women, found Wiley guilty on three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder.

In the aftermath, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. Even in 2009, Wiley attempted to appeal his convictions, but all were upheld, solidifying his fate behind bars.

Sources

• Jim O'Hara (November 13, 2009). "Syracuse serial killer's conviction upheld." Syracuse.com.
• "Jurors will hear accused killer's statements." Associated Press. September 13, 2006. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
• "People v. Wiley, 120 A.D.2d 66 | Casetext Search + Citator." casetext.com. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
• "Slayings spur anti-predator proposal." Democrat and Chronicle. Associated Press. June 6, 2004.
• Kekis, John (June 3, 2004). "Sex offender charged, looked at as serial killer." The Buffalo News. Associated Press.
• "Tammy Sue Lynn Passineau."
• John Kekis (June 3, 2004). "Ex-con charged with 2 killings; cops see pattern of a serial killer." Associated Press.
• William Kates (September 19, 2006). "Attorney targets alleged confession in rape case." Associated Press.
• "Man accused of murder claims he killed five others." Associated Press. August 10, 2004. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
• "Police: Killer's claims unsubstantiated." Associated Press. August 10, 2004. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
• "3rd slaying linked to sex offender." Democrat and Chronicle. December 21, 2004. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
• "Judge: No dismissal of murder charge." Associated Press. August 19, 2006. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
• "Sex offender found guilty of killing three women." The Ithaca Journal. September 28, 2006. Retrieved April 17, 2022.