Raymond Lee Stewart
Spree Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Spree Killing
LOCATION
Rockford, Illinois
TIME PERIOD
January 27, 1981 – February 2, 1981
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
During a week-long crime spree from January 27 to February 2, 1981, Raymond Lee Stewart murdered six individuals across Rockford, Illinois, and Beloit, Wisconsin, using a .38-caliber revolver. The victims included store owner Willie Fredd and his employee Albert Pearson, as well as service station attendants Kevin Kaiser and Kenny Foust, culminating in the killings of Richard Boeck and Donald Rains at a RadioShack in Beloit. Stewart was apprehended on February 21, 1981, and subsequently sentenced to death in Illinois for three counts of murder and four counts of armed robbery, while receiving a life sentence in Wisconsin for two counts of first-degree murder. He was executed by lethal injection on September 18, 1996, at Stateville Correctional Center. Significant evidence included eyewitness accounts linking Stewart to the crimes and ballistic evidence confirming the use of the same weapon in multiple murders.
Raymond Lee Stewart's actions during his murder spree are often attributed to a combination of rage, revenge, and anti-white racism. Some speculate that his abusive upbringing and turbulent childhood significantly contributed to his violent behavior. There are also theories that suggest his criminal history and experiences with law enforcement may have further fueled his violent rampage.
The Haunting Spree of Raymond Lee Stewart
In the annals of American criminal history, the name Raymond Lee Stewart stands as a chilling reminder of the destructive power of rage and revenge. Born on January 21, 1952, in Burlington, North Carolina, Stewart's journey from an abusive childhood to a notorious spree killer culminated in a week-long rampage in 1981 that left six people dead across Rockford, Illinois, and Beloit, Wisconsin. His story is one of violence, vengeance, and the ultimate reckoning with justice.
Early Life and Troubled Beginnings
Raymond Lee Stewart's life was marred from the start. Raised in a household fraught with abuse, he was one of nine children subjected to the tyranny of an abusive father. According to his sister, Faith Crocker, their father not only physically assaulted them but also sexually abused them. At the tender age of 14, Stewart was thrown out of his home and told never to return. This expulsion set him on a path of instability, drifting through various jobs before he eventually found his way to Rockford, Illinois.
In 1973, Stewart's criminal tendencies surfaced as he engaged in a series of robberies. Convicted of four counts of armed robbery, he was sentenced to a term of 5 to 15 years in prison, although an additional charge was dropped due to insufficient evidence. After serving six years, he was paroled, but the seeds of his future violence had been firmly planted.
A Week of Terror
The simmering anger within Stewart erupted in December 1980 when he brandished a gun at a landlord who refused to return a $50 security deposit. Around the same time, he discovered that his girlfriend had given birth to their daughter and had undergone sterilization without informing him. These personal affronts, coupled with an unresolved vendetta over his robbery conviction, ignited a murderous spree.
On January 27, 1981, Stewart's wrath manifested in bloodshed. He shot and killed Willie Fredd, a 54-year-old store owner, and Albert Pearson, a 20-year-old stock boy, with a .38-caliber revolver on Rockford's west side. The following day, he took the life of 18-year-old Kevin Kaiser, a service station attendant, and within 24 hours, he ended the life of another attendant, 35-year-old Kenny Foust.
The violence did not stop there. Stewart's deadly path led him to a shopping mall in Beloit, Wisconsin, where he executed Richard Boeck, 21, and Donald Rains, 26, inside a RadioShack. He led them to the back of the store before shooting them multiple times, leaving behind a scene of horror that would haunt the community.
Pursuit and Capture
Law enforcement quickly connected the dots, linking the murders to Stewart. The manhunt spanned state lines, ending with his arrest in Greensboro, North Carolina, on February 21, 1981. The once-drifting youth was now a captured fugitive, facing the full weight of his actions.
Trial and Sentencing
Stewart's trials were as tumultuous as his life. Convicted of three murders in Illinois and two in Wisconsin, he received two consecutive life terms for the Wisconsin killings and the death penalty for those in Illinois. During one trial in April 1982, Stewart made a desperate bid for freedom by attempting to hide in an oilcan, only to be wounded and recaptured.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Stewart's motives were scrutinized. At a clemency hearing with the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, he offered a 15-minute taped statement, claiming hatred for white people, whom he blamed for the deaths of his idols, John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. This explanation failed to account for the fact that his first two victims were black. Stewart also cited personal grievances with his girlfriend and landlord, along with lingering resentment over his robbery conviction.
Yet, amid his rationalizations, Stewart expressed remorse. "All these crimes were morally and legally wrong. I want to apologize," he admitted. "The victims had not done anything to me. It was as if I was playing games with the police. In my way of thinking, I deserve the death penalty."
Voices of the Aggrieved
The clemency hearing was a poignant moment of clashing emotions. Constance Mitchell, the cousin of Willie Fredd and mother of Albert Pearson, stood out as a lone voice advocating for life imprisonment without parole, citing her opposition to capital punishment. "I believe with all my heart that my son is in heaven," she said, emphasizing her belief in forgiveness.
Most of the victims' families, however, were resolute in their demand for justice. Alex Fredd, Willie's son, recounted the personal devastation Stewart's actions had wrought, leading him to alcoholism and academic failure. "Please, don't let this man escape his punishment," he implored. Thelma Crawford, Willie's mother, echoed this sentiment, stating Stewart deserved to die.
Faith Crocker shared the family's dark past, attributing much of Stewart's behavior to their abusive father. "Daddy's the one that should be in that electric chair," she said tearfully.
The Final Chapter
The Illinois Prisoner Review Board ultimately denied Stewart's clemency petition. As his execution date loomed, Stewart found solace in spirituality, praying with Cardinal Bernardin, who was himself facing a terminal illness. Despite not being Catholic, Stewart sought comfort in faith, reading the 23rd Psalm and expressing readiness for his fate.
On September 18, 1996, Raymond Lee Stewart met his end at Stateville Correctional Center. His last meal included fried perch and potato salad, and his final words were a wish for peace for all, especially his victims' families. "Hello to everyone. May you all have peace because of this. May my victims' families have peace," he said before the lethal injection was administered.
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 Murders
Raymond Lee Stewart kills store owner Willie Fredd and stock boy Albert Pearson in Rockford.
Additional Murders
Stewart kills service station attendant Kevin Kaiser and another attendant, Kenny Foust, within 24 hours.
Final Murders
Stewart murders Richard Boeck and Donald Rains at a shopping mall in Beloit, Wisconsin.
Arrest
Raymond Lee Stewart is apprehended in Greensboro, North Carolina after a manhunt.
Courtroom Escape Attempt
Stewart attempts to escape during his trial but is shot in the shoulder during the attempt.
Conviction
Stewart is convicted of multiple murders in Illinois and Wisconsin, receiving a death sentence for Illinois murders.
Clemency Hearing
Stewart's clemency petition is rejected after a hearing where he expresses remorse for his actions.
Execution
Raymond Lee Stewart is executed by lethal injection at Stateville Correctional Center.
During a week-long crime spree from January 27 to February 2, 1981, Raymond Lee Stewart murdered six individuals across Rockford, Illinois, and Beloit, Wisconsin, using a .38-caliber revolver. The victims included store owner Willie Fredd and his employee Albert Pearson, as well as service station attendants Kevin Kaiser and Kenny Foust, culminating in the killings of Richard Boeck and Donald Rains at a RadioShack in Beloit. Stewart was apprehended on February 21, 1981, and subsequently sentenced to death in Illinois for three counts of murder and four counts of armed robbery, while receiving a life sentence in Wisconsin for two counts of first-degree murder. He was executed by lethal injection on September 18, 1996, at Stateville Correctional Center. Significant evidence included eyewitness accounts linking Stewart to the crimes and ballistic evidence confirming the use of the same weapon in multiple murders.
Raymond Lee Stewart's actions during his murder spree are often attributed to a combination of rage, revenge, and anti-white racism. Some speculate that his abusive upbringing and turbulent childhood significantly contributed to his violent behavior. There are also theories that suggest his criminal history and experiences with law enforcement may have further fueled his violent rampage.
The Haunting Spree of Raymond Lee Stewart
In the annals of American criminal history, the name Raymond Lee Stewart stands as a chilling reminder of the destructive power of rage and revenge. Born on January 21, 1952, in Burlington, North Carolina, Stewart's journey from an abusive childhood to a notorious spree killer culminated in a week-long rampage in 1981 that left six people dead across Rockford, Illinois, and Beloit, Wisconsin. His story is one of violence, vengeance, and the ultimate reckoning with justice.
Early Life and Troubled Beginnings
Raymond Lee Stewart's life was marred from the start. Raised in a household fraught with abuse, he was one of nine children subjected to the tyranny of an abusive father. According to his sister, Faith Crocker, their father not only physically assaulted them but also sexually abused them. At the tender age of 14, Stewart was thrown out of his home and told never to return. This expulsion set him on a path of instability, drifting through various jobs before he eventually found his way to Rockford, Illinois.
In 1973, Stewart's criminal tendencies surfaced as he engaged in a series of robberies. Convicted of four counts of armed robbery, he was sentenced to a term of 5 to 15 years in prison, although an additional charge was dropped due to insufficient evidence. After serving six years, he was paroled, but the seeds of his future violence had been firmly planted.
A Week of Terror
The simmering anger within Stewart erupted in December 1980 when he brandished a gun at a landlord who refused to return a $50 security deposit. Around the same time, he discovered that his girlfriend had given birth to their daughter and had undergone sterilization without informing him. These personal affronts, coupled with an unresolved vendetta over his robbery conviction, ignited a murderous spree.
On January 27, 1981, Stewart's wrath manifested in bloodshed. He shot and killed Willie Fredd, a 54-year-old store owner, and Albert Pearson, a 20-year-old stock boy, with a .38-caliber revolver on Rockford's west side. The following day, he took the life of 18-year-old Kevin Kaiser, a service station attendant, and within 24 hours, he ended the life of another attendant, 35-year-old Kenny Foust.
The violence did not stop there. Stewart's deadly path led him to a shopping mall in Beloit, Wisconsin, where he executed Richard Boeck, 21, and Donald Rains, 26, inside a RadioShack. He led them to the back of the store before shooting them multiple times, leaving behind a scene of horror that would haunt the community.
Pursuit and Capture
Law enforcement quickly connected the dots, linking the murders to Stewart. The manhunt spanned state lines, ending with his arrest in Greensboro, North Carolina, on February 21, 1981. The once-drifting youth was now a captured fugitive, facing the full weight of his actions.
Trial and Sentencing
Stewart's trials were as tumultuous as his life. Convicted of three murders in Illinois and two in Wisconsin, he received two consecutive life terms for the Wisconsin killings and the death penalty for those in Illinois. During one trial in April 1982, Stewart made a desperate bid for freedom by attempting to hide in an oilcan, only to be wounded and recaptured.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Stewart's motives were scrutinized. At a clemency hearing with the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, he offered a 15-minute taped statement, claiming hatred for white people, whom he blamed for the deaths of his idols, John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. This explanation failed to account for the fact that his first two victims were black. Stewart also cited personal grievances with his girlfriend and landlord, along with lingering resentment over his robbery conviction.
Yet, amid his rationalizations, Stewart expressed remorse. "All these crimes were morally and legally wrong. I want to apologize," he admitted. "The victims had not done anything to me. It was as if I was playing games with the police. In my way of thinking, I deserve the death penalty."
Voices of the Aggrieved
The clemency hearing was a poignant moment of clashing emotions. Constance Mitchell, the cousin of Willie Fredd and mother of Albert Pearson, stood out as a lone voice advocating for life imprisonment without parole, citing her opposition to capital punishment. "I believe with all my heart that my son is in heaven," she said, emphasizing her belief in forgiveness.
Most of the victims' families, however, were resolute in their demand for justice. Alex Fredd, Willie's son, recounted the personal devastation Stewart's actions had wrought, leading him to alcoholism and academic failure. "Please, don't let this man escape his punishment," he implored. Thelma Crawford, Willie's mother, echoed this sentiment, stating Stewart deserved to die.
Faith Crocker shared the family's dark past, attributing much of Stewart's behavior to their abusive father. "Daddy's the one that should be in that electric chair," she said tearfully.
The Final Chapter
The Illinois Prisoner Review Board ultimately denied Stewart's clemency petition. As his execution date loomed, Stewart found solace in spirituality, praying with Cardinal Bernardin, who was himself facing a terminal illness. Despite not being Catholic, Stewart sought comfort in faith, reading the 23rd Psalm and expressing readiness for his fate.
On September 18, 1996, Raymond Lee Stewart met his end at Stateville Correctional Center. His last meal included fried perch and potato salad, and his final words were a wish for peace for all, especially his victims' families. "Hello to everyone. May you all have peace because of this. May my victims' families have peace," he said before the lethal injection was administered.
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 Murders
Raymond Lee Stewart kills store owner Willie Fredd and stock boy Albert Pearson in Rockford.
Additional Murders
Stewart kills service station attendant Kevin Kaiser and another attendant, Kenny Foust, within 24 hours.
Final Murders
Stewart murders Richard Boeck and Donald Rains at a shopping mall in Beloit, Wisconsin.
Arrest
Raymond Lee Stewart is apprehended in Greensboro, North Carolina after a manhunt.
Courtroom Escape Attempt
Stewart attempts to escape during his trial but is shot in the shoulder during the attempt.
Conviction
Stewart is convicted of multiple murders in Illinois and Wisconsin, receiving a death sentence for Illinois murders.
Clemency Hearing
Stewart's clemency petition is rejected after a hearing where he expresses remorse for his actions.
Execution
Raymond Lee Stewart is executed by lethal injection at Stateville Correctional Center.