Nikko Jenkins
Spree Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Spree Killing
LOCATION
Omaha, Nebraska
TIME PERIOD
August 2013
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
11, 2013, in Omaha, Nebraska, Nikko Jenkins committed a series of murders, resulting in the deaths of four individuals over a span of ten days. The first incident occurred on August 11, when patrol officers discovered the bodies of Juan Uribe-Pena and Jorge C. Cajiga-Ruiz in a parked truck, both shot in the head with a shotgun. Jenkins, who had been released from prison on July 30, 2013, was later apprehended on August 29, 2013, after a series of violent crimes that included robbery and assaults. He was found competent to stand trial and, in May 2017, was sentenced to death for the four murders, which he claimed were committed under the influence of a delusional belief in a serpent god. Jenkins is currently incarcerated at Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, facing four consecutive death sentences and an additional 450 years for various charges.
Nikko Jenkins claimed that he committed the murders under the command of the ancient serpent god Apophis, leading to speculation about his mental state and the influence of delusions on his actions. Investigators and the public believe his antisocial personality disorder may have contributed to his violent behavior, as well as a possible desire for notoriety following his release from prison. There is also discussion around the adequacy of his mental health evaluations prior to his release, raising concerns about the justice system's handling of individuals with severe psychological issues.
The Reign of Nikko Jenkins: A True Crime Story
Early Life and Troubled Youth
Nikko Allen Jenkins was born on September 16, 1986, in Colorado, USA, to David A. Magee and Lori Jenkins. From a young age, Jenkins was embroiled in chaos, besieged by mental health and behavioral issues. By the tender age of seven, he had already brought a loaded handgun to school—a harbinger of the violence that would mark his future.
In November 2003, at 17, Jenkins faced his first serious brush with the law, convicted of armed robbery. His troubled life continued behind bars, and in 2009, personal tragedy struck when his father died during Jenkins's imprisonment. That same year, Jenkins and his sister, Erica, who was also incarcerated, were temporarily released under supervision to attend their grandmother's funeral. However, the solemn occasion took a violent turn when they attacked a guard, though they were eventually subdued.
On July 30, 2013, Jenkins re-entered society after serving 10-and-a-half years of an 18-year sentence. His freedom would soon unleash a spree of violence that would shock Omaha, Nebraska.
The Murders
The First Strike
On the morning of August 11, 2013, a patrol officer stumbled upon a grim scene at Spring Lake Park. Two bodies, those of Juan Uribe-Pena, 26, and Jorge C. Cajiga-Ruiz, 29, were discovered in a white Ford pickup truck near a city swimming pool at 18th and F Street. Both men had been lured with the promise of a sexual encounter, only to meet a brutal end with single shotgun blasts to their heads. Their pockets were turned inside out, suggesting robbery as a motive.
The Betrayal
Just eight days later, on August 19, another body was found. This time, it was Curtis Bradford, 22, discovered outside a detached garage at 18th and Clark Street by a man returning from a night shift. Bradford, a former prison acquaintance of Jenkins, had been shot twice in the back of the head. It is believed that Jenkins and his sister, Erica, lured him out under the pretense of planning a robbery, only to execute him. Erica reportedly wanted him dead due to a personal vendetta involving a shooting at her house.
The Final Act
The spree reached its tragic peak on August 21. Andrea Kruger, a 33-year-old mother of three, was found shot multiple times—twice in the face, once in the neck, and once in the shoulder/back—on the road at 168th and Fort Street. She had been returning home from a bartending shift when her life was brutally cut short. Surveillance footage later revealed her leaving the Deja Vu Lounge at 1:47 a.m. Later that evening, her gold 2012 Chevrolet Traverse was found abandoned 12 miles away. Investigators noted a feeble attempt had been made to set the SUV ablaze.
The Arrest
On August 29, 2013, Jenkins was taken into custody on unrelated charges of making terroristic threats. By this time, the evidence against him was mounting. Surveillance footage had captured a female associate purchasing the same distinctive Brenneke Classic Magnum 12-gauge ammunition used in the murders. Additional footage traced the route of Kruger's stolen SUV. On September 3, in an eight-hour interview, Jenkins confessed to the murders, claiming they were sacrifices to Apophis, an ancient Egyptian serpent god.
The Trial
In handwritten letters dated November 3, 2013, Jenkins expressed his desire to plead guilty, claiming he acted under Apophis's command. On February 19, 2014, he filed a lawsuit against the State of Nebraska, seeking $24.5 million for wrongful release and arguing that solitary confinement exacerbated his supposed schizophrenia. However, a psychiatric evaluation concluded he had antisocial personality disorder and was feigning his symptoms.
Despite his antics—speaking in tongues and laughing during the trial—Jenkins was deemed competent to stand trial and represented himself with advisory attorneys. On April 16, 2014, Judge Peter Bataillon found him guilty of all four murders.
Sentencing and Appeals
Initially set for August 11, 2014, Jenkins's sentencing was delayed to assess his understanding of the death penalty. Ultimately, in May 2017, a three-judge panel sentenced him to death and an additional 450 years for weapons charges. Jenkins's appeal to the US Supreme Court was denied on April 20, 2020.
Throughout his incarceration, Jenkins's violent tendencies continued, manifesting in self-mutilation requiring numerous stitches.
Accomplices and Their Fates
Jenkins's criminal reign involved several family members. His sister, Erica, was sentenced to life for her role in Bradford's murder. Their mother, Lori, faced 10 years for purchasing the murder ammunition. Cousin Christine Bordeaux received a 20-year sentence for robbery, and uncle Warren Levering was sentenced to 40 years for his involvement in Kruger's murder.
See Also
- Capital punishment in Nebraska
- List of death row inmates in Nebraska
Sources
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Jenkins Released from Prison
Nikko Jenkins is released from prison after serving 10.5 years for previous crimes.
First Double Murder
Jenkins commits a double murder, killing Juan Uribe-Pena and Jorge C. Cajiga-Ruiz in Spring Lake Park.
Third Murder
Curtis Bradford is found murdered, shot in the back of the head, after being lured by Jenkins.
Fourth Murder
Andrea Kruger is found shot multiple times in the road, marking the end of Jenkins' murder spree.
Jenkins Arrested
Nikko Jenkins is arrested on unrelated charges; evidence mounts against him for the murders.
Confession
Jenkins confesses to all four murders during an 8-hour police interview.
Guilty Verdict
Jenkins is found guilty of all four murders by a judge.
Sentenced to Death
Jenkins is sentenced to death and receives an additional 450 years for weapons charges.
Supreme Court Appeal Denied
The U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Jenkins' appeal against his death sentence.
11, 2013, in Omaha, Nebraska, Nikko Jenkins committed a series of murders, resulting in the deaths of four individuals over a span of ten days. The first incident occurred on August 11, when patrol officers discovered the bodies of Juan Uribe-Pena and Jorge C. Cajiga-Ruiz in a parked truck, both shot in the head with a shotgun. Jenkins, who had been released from prison on July 30, 2013, was later apprehended on August 29, 2013, after a series of violent crimes that included robbery and assaults. He was found competent to stand trial and, in May 2017, was sentenced to death for the four murders, which he claimed were committed under the influence of a delusional belief in a serpent god. Jenkins is currently incarcerated at Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, facing four consecutive death sentences and an additional 450 years for various charges.
Nikko Jenkins claimed that he committed the murders under the command of the ancient serpent god Apophis, leading to speculation about his mental state and the influence of delusions on his actions. Investigators and the public believe his antisocial personality disorder may have contributed to his violent behavior, as well as a possible desire for notoriety following his release from prison. There is also discussion around the adequacy of his mental health evaluations prior to his release, raising concerns about the justice system's handling of individuals with severe psychological issues.
The Reign of Nikko Jenkins: A True Crime Story
Early Life and Troubled Youth
Nikko Allen Jenkins was born on September 16, 1986, in Colorado, USA, to David A. Magee and Lori Jenkins. From a young age, Jenkins was embroiled in chaos, besieged by mental health and behavioral issues. By the tender age of seven, he had already brought a loaded handgun to school—a harbinger of the violence that would mark his future.
In November 2003, at 17, Jenkins faced his first serious brush with the law, convicted of armed robbery. His troubled life continued behind bars, and in 2009, personal tragedy struck when his father died during Jenkins's imprisonment. That same year, Jenkins and his sister, Erica, who was also incarcerated, were temporarily released under supervision to attend their grandmother's funeral. However, the solemn occasion took a violent turn when they attacked a guard, though they were eventually subdued.
On July 30, 2013, Jenkins re-entered society after serving 10-and-a-half years of an 18-year sentence. His freedom would soon unleash a spree of violence that would shock Omaha, Nebraska.
The Murders
The First Strike
On the morning of August 11, 2013, a patrol officer stumbled upon a grim scene at Spring Lake Park. Two bodies, those of Juan Uribe-Pena, 26, and Jorge C. Cajiga-Ruiz, 29, were discovered in a white Ford pickup truck near a city swimming pool at 18th and F Street. Both men had been lured with the promise of a sexual encounter, only to meet a brutal end with single shotgun blasts to their heads. Their pockets were turned inside out, suggesting robbery as a motive.
The Betrayal
Just eight days later, on August 19, another body was found. This time, it was Curtis Bradford, 22, discovered outside a detached garage at 18th and Clark Street by a man returning from a night shift. Bradford, a former prison acquaintance of Jenkins, had been shot twice in the back of the head. It is believed that Jenkins and his sister, Erica, lured him out under the pretense of planning a robbery, only to execute him. Erica reportedly wanted him dead due to a personal vendetta involving a shooting at her house.
The Final Act
The spree reached its tragic peak on August 21. Andrea Kruger, a 33-year-old mother of three, was found shot multiple times—twice in the face, once in the neck, and once in the shoulder/back—on the road at 168th and Fort Street. She had been returning home from a bartending shift when her life was brutally cut short. Surveillance footage later revealed her leaving the Deja Vu Lounge at 1:47 a.m. Later that evening, her gold 2012 Chevrolet Traverse was found abandoned 12 miles away. Investigators noted a feeble attempt had been made to set the SUV ablaze.
The Arrest
On August 29, 2013, Jenkins was taken into custody on unrelated charges of making terroristic threats. By this time, the evidence against him was mounting. Surveillance footage had captured a female associate purchasing the same distinctive Brenneke Classic Magnum 12-gauge ammunition used in the murders. Additional footage traced the route of Kruger's stolen SUV. On September 3, in an eight-hour interview, Jenkins confessed to the murders, claiming they were sacrifices to Apophis, an ancient Egyptian serpent god.
The Trial
In handwritten letters dated November 3, 2013, Jenkins expressed his desire to plead guilty, claiming he acted under Apophis's command. On February 19, 2014, he filed a lawsuit against the State of Nebraska, seeking $24.5 million for wrongful release and arguing that solitary confinement exacerbated his supposed schizophrenia. However, a psychiatric evaluation concluded he had antisocial personality disorder and was feigning his symptoms.
Despite his antics—speaking in tongues and laughing during the trial—Jenkins was deemed competent to stand trial and represented himself with advisory attorneys. On April 16, 2014, Judge Peter Bataillon found him guilty of all four murders.
Sentencing and Appeals
Initially set for August 11, 2014, Jenkins's sentencing was delayed to assess his understanding of the death penalty. Ultimately, in May 2017, a three-judge panel sentenced him to death and an additional 450 years for weapons charges. Jenkins's appeal to the US Supreme Court was denied on April 20, 2020.
Throughout his incarceration, Jenkins's violent tendencies continued, manifesting in self-mutilation requiring numerous stitches.
Accomplices and Their Fates
Jenkins's criminal reign involved several family members. His sister, Erica, was sentenced to life for her role in Bradford's murder. Their mother, Lori, faced 10 years for purchasing the murder ammunition. Cousin Christine Bordeaux received a 20-year sentence for robbery, and uncle Warren Levering was sentenced to 40 years for his involvement in Kruger's murder.
See Also
- Capital punishment in Nebraska
- List of death row inmates in Nebraska
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...
Jenkins Released from Prison
Nikko Jenkins is released from prison after serving 10.5 years for previous crimes.
First Double Murder
Jenkins commits a double murder, killing Juan Uribe-Pena and Jorge C. Cajiga-Ruiz in Spring Lake Park.
Third Murder
Curtis Bradford is found murdered, shot in the back of the head, after being lured by Jenkins.
Fourth Murder
Andrea Kruger is found shot multiple times in the road, marking the end of Jenkins' murder spree.
Jenkins Arrested
Nikko Jenkins is arrested on unrelated charges; evidence mounts against him for the murders.
Confession
Jenkins confesses to all four murders during an 8-hour police interview.
Guilty Verdict
Jenkins is found guilty of all four murders by a judge.
Sentenced to Death
Jenkins is sentenced to death and receives an additional 450 years for weapons charges.
Supreme Court Appeal Denied
The U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Jenkins' appeal against his death sentence.