Richard Macek
Serial Killer and Sex Offender
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Wisconsin, Illinois
TIME PERIOD
August - September 1974
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Richard Otto Macek, an American serial killer and sex offender, committed a series of brutal murders in Wisconsin and Illinois between August and September 1974, targeting at least two women and one young girl. His crimes were characterized by extreme violence, including biting his victims, which earned him the moniker "The Mad Biter." Macek was apprehended on December 5, 1975, and subsequently convicted of murder in both states, receiving life imprisonment in Wisconsin and a combined sentence of 200 to 400 years in Illinois. He remained incarcerated until his suicide by hanging on March 2, 1987, at the Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun, Wisconsin. Significant evidence from the case included bite mark analysis that linked him to the victims, which played a crucial role in his conviction.
Richard Macek is believed to have had a history of violent behavior leading up to his murders, with many speculating that his dishonorable discharge from the Army contributed to his criminal tendencies. Some theorize that his brutal methods, particularly the biting of victims, suggest a psychological motivation linked to control and humiliation. Additionally, there are beliefs that Macek's early life experiences, including his various arrests and unstable employment, played a significant role in shaping his violent behavior.
The Haunting Crimes of Richard Macek: The Mad Biter's Reign of Terror
In the sinister shadows of Wisconsin and Illinois during the mid-1970s, a chilling string of murders and assaults left communities in fear. The man at the heart of this terror was Richard Otto Macek, a name etched in infamy not for the number of victims, but for the brutality and peculiar nature of his crimes. Known as "The Mad Biter," Macek's horrific acts spanned from August to September 1974, claiming the lives of at least two women and a young girl. His story is one of violence, evasion, and an eventual justice that came too late for some.
Early Glimpses into Darkness
Richard Otto Macek was born in 1948 in Chicago, Illinois. Moving to McHenry, Illinois at a young age, Macek appeared to have a typical upbringing. However, his life took a dark turn when he left school after completing the 11th grade to join the United States Army. His military career was short-lived; he was dishonorably discharged after just six months for failing to adjust to military life.
By 1968, Macek's brushes with the law began to mount, ranging from peeping to aggravated battery and even an attempted murder charge. When not incarcerated, he worked various jobs, including as a truck driver, machinist, and cook. His last known employment was at a factory in Union, where he lived with his wife and children.
Trouble followed Macek in 1973 when he was involved in a car accident in McHenry. Driving for work, he struck two young girls, Kathryn Bell and Kimberly Quinn, who were walking in the road. Though he stopped to check on them, the frightened girls assured him they were fine, only to later seek medical attention for their injuries. Macek faced a ticket for failing to render assistance and report the collision.
The Murders Begin
The gruesome saga began on August 13, 1974, at The Abbey Resort in Fontana, Wisconsin. Paula Atkinson Cupit, a 24-year-old maid, was found dead in Room 606. Her body, partially clothed and covered with blankets, bore signs of a violent end—sexual assault, a stab wound to the heart, and a broken neck from strangulation. The time of her death was estimated to be between 1 and 2 PM, just hours before her discovery. Authorities, desperate for leads, offered a $5,000 reward for information.
As detectives delved deeper, they ruled out Cupit's husband and a previous guest as suspects. The killer had cunningly locked the door, using keys stolen from Cupit. A psychological profile was drawn up with the help of an FBI psychoanalyst, aiming to capture the elusive murderer.
Then, on September 9, in Crystal Lake, Illinois, a fire led authorities to a chilling discovery. Inside the smoldering remains of an apartment on Elmhurst Road lay the bodies of Nancy Lossman, a 27-year-old manager, and her 3-year-old daughter, Lisa. Nancy, found naked with a cord around her neck, bore multiple bite marks on her breast—a trademark of Macek's gruesome acts. Lisa, found face down in a toilet bowl, had a bra tied around her neck. Her brother, Robert, survived with smoke inhalation but could offer no details, having slept through the ordeal.
Capture and Escape
The law caught up with Macek on July 26, 1975, as he stalked a victim in Woodstock, Illinois. His target, Sharon Lee Kulisek, was attacked while doing laundry, but she managed to alert the police. Officers arrived to find her bloodied but alive, and quickly apprehended Macek. Charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery, his bond was set at $200,000. Yet, even under these charges, Macek managed to slip away, declared a fugitive before his trial could begin.
It wasn't long before Macek was found in San Bernardino, California. His bond now soared to $500,000. Initially set for extradition to Illinois, plans changed. He was redirected to Wisconsin to face charges for a separate assault at a Holiday Inn. His modus operandi, unmistakably violent, linked him to this crime.
Trials and Justice
Macek's trial for the Holiday Inn assault was scheduled for February 20, 1976, but he accepted a plea deal, admitting to one rape charge while other charges were dropped. He was sent to Central State Hospital in Waupun as a "sex deviate."
Later that year, bite mark evidence connected Macek to the Lossman murders. By October, he was sentenced to 50-to-70 years for the attempted murder of Sharon Kulisek. In January 1977, Macek faced trial for Paula Cupit's murder. Pleading guilty, he received a life sentence, running concurrently with his existing Wisconsin sentences. In Illinois, he was charged with the Lossman murders. Despite having his teeth removed, forensic evidence linked him to the crime. A guilty plea earned him a 200-to-400-year sentence, avoiding charges in Lisa's death.
The Shadow of More Victims
Macek's shadow loomed over other unsolved cases. Forensic expert Dr. Lowell Levine suggested a link between Macek and the 1972 murder of Sally Kandel, yet Richard Milone was already convicted for that crime. Despite a supposed confession letter from Macek to Milone's family, the claim remained unverified.
Macek was also suspected in the 1975 death of Cindy Becker and the 1975 murder of Michele Baker, yet charges never materialized. Briefly, he was considered a suspect in the 1968 murder of Christine Rothschild, but no charges were filed.
Incarceration and Final Act
During his incarceration, Macek's willingness to assist investigators by undergoing examinations was noted, but many believed he was beyond rehabilitation. He lived in relative comfort, working as a chef and even applying for social security.
His story ended on March 2, 1987, when Macek took his own life in Dodge Correctional Institution. Found hanging from shoestrings tied to an air vent, his death was discovered by warden Gordon Abrahamson. Attempts to save him failed, and he was pronounced dead at Waupun Memorial Hospital. For those who had pursued him, the news brought relief rather than sorrow.
Sources
For a detailed account of Richard Macek's life and crimes, visit his Wikipedia page: Richard Macek.
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First Murder Victim Found
Paula Atkinson Cupit found murdered at The Abbey Resort.
Lossman Murders Discovered
Bodies of Nancy and Lisa Lossman found after a fire.
Attempted Murder of Kulisek
Macek attacks Sharon Lee Kulisek while she does laundry.
Macek Arrested
Macek apprehended in California after being a fugitive.
Guilty Plea for Attempted Murder
Macek pleads guilty to attempted murder of Kulisek.
Trial for Cupit Murder
Macek's trial for the murder of Paula Cupit begins.
Convicted for Lossman Murders
Macek pleads guilty to the murders of Nancy and Lisa Lossman.
Macek Commits Suicide
Richard Macek hangs himself in his prison cell.
Richard Otto Macek, an American serial killer and sex offender, committed a series of brutal murders in Wisconsin and Illinois between August and September 1974, targeting at least two women and one young girl. His crimes were characterized by extreme violence, including biting his victims, which earned him the moniker "The Mad Biter." Macek was apprehended on December 5, 1975, and subsequently convicted of murder in both states, receiving life imprisonment in Wisconsin and a combined sentence of 200 to 400 years in Illinois. He remained incarcerated until his suicide by hanging on March 2, 1987, at the Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun, Wisconsin. Significant evidence from the case included bite mark analysis that linked him to the victims, which played a crucial role in his conviction.
Richard Macek is believed to have had a history of violent behavior leading up to his murders, with many speculating that his dishonorable discharge from the Army contributed to his criminal tendencies. Some theorize that his brutal methods, particularly the biting of victims, suggest a psychological motivation linked to control and humiliation. Additionally, there are beliefs that Macek's early life experiences, including his various arrests and unstable employment, played a significant role in shaping his violent behavior.
The Haunting Crimes of Richard Macek: The Mad Biter's Reign of Terror
In the sinister shadows of Wisconsin and Illinois during the mid-1970s, a chilling string of murders and assaults left communities in fear. The man at the heart of this terror was Richard Otto Macek, a name etched in infamy not for the number of victims, but for the brutality and peculiar nature of his crimes. Known as "The Mad Biter," Macek's horrific acts spanned from August to September 1974, claiming the lives of at least two women and a young girl. His story is one of violence, evasion, and an eventual justice that came too late for some.
Early Glimpses into Darkness
Richard Otto Macek was born in 1948 in Chicago, Illinois. Moving to McHenry, Illinois at a young age, Macek appeared to have a typical upbringing. However, his life took a dark turn when he left school after completing the 11th grade to join the United States Army. His military career was short-lived; he was dishonorably discharged after just six months for failing to adjust to military life.
By 1968, Macek's brushes with the law began to mount, ranging from peeping to aggravated battery and even an attempted murder charge. When not incarcerated, he worked various jobs, including as a truck driver, machinist, and cook. His last known employment was at a factory in Union, where he lived with his wife and children.
Trouble followed Macek in 1973 when he was involved in a car accident in McHenry. Driving for work, he struck two young girls, Kathryn Bell and Kimberly Quinn, who were walking in the road. Though he stopped to check on them, the frightened girls assured him they were fine, only to later seek medical attention for their injuries. Macek faced a ticket for failing to render assistance and report the collision.
The Murders Begin
The gruesome saga began on August 13, 1974, at The Abbey Resort in Fontana, Wisconsin. Paula Atkinson Cupit, a 24-year-old maid, was found dead in Room 606. Her body, partially clothed and covered with blankets, bore signs of a violent end—sexual assault, a stab wound to the heart, and a broken neck from strangulation. The time of her death was estimated to be between 1 and 2 PM, just hours before her discovery. Authorities, desperate for leads, offered a $5,000 reward for information.
As detectives delved deeper, they ruled out Cupit's husband and a previous guest as suspects. The killer had cunningly locked the door, using keys stolen from Cupit. A psychological profile was drawn up with the help of an FBI psychoanalyst, aiming to capture the elusive murderer.
Then, on September 9, in Crystal Lake, Illinois, a fire led authorities to a chilling discovery. Inside the smoldering remains of an apartment on Elmhurst Road lay the bodies of Nancy Lossman, a 27-year-old manager, and her 3-year-old daughter, Lisa. Nancy, found naked with a cord around her neck, bore multiple bite marks on her breast—a trademark of Macek's gruesome acts. Lisa, found face down in a toilet bowl, had a bra tied around her neck. Her brother, Robert, survived with smoke inhalation but could offer no details, having slept through the ordeal.
Capture and Escape
The law caught up with Macek on July 26, 1975, as he stalked a victim in Woodstock, Illinois. His target, Sharon Lee Kulisek, was attacked while doing laundry, but she managed to alert the police. Officers arrived to find her bloodied but alive, and quickly apprehended Macek. Charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery, his bond was set at $200,000. Yet, even under these charges, Macek managed to slip away, declared a fugitive before his trial could begin.
It wasn't long before Macek was found in San Bernardino, California. His bond now soared to $500,000. Initially set for extradition to Illinois, plans changed. He was redirected to Wisconsin to face charges for a separate assault at a Holiday Inn. His modus operandi, unmistakably violent, linked him to this crime.
Trials and Justice
Macek's trial for the Holiday Inn assault was scheduled for February 20, 1976, but he accepted a plea deal, admitting to one rape charge while other charges were dropped. He was sent to Central State Hospital in Waupun as a "sex deviate."
Later that year, bite mark evidence connected Macek to the Lossman murders. By October, he was sentenced to 50-to-70 years for the attempted murder of Sharon Kulisek. In January 1977, Macek faced trial for Paula Cupit's murder. Pleading guilty, he received a life sentence, running concurrently with his existing Wisconsin sentences. In Illinois, he was charged with the Lossman murders. Despite having his teeth removed, forensic evidence linked him to the crime. A guilty plea earned him a 200-to-400-year sentence, avoiding charges in Lisa's death.
The Shadow of More Victims
Macek's shadow loomed over other unsolved cases. Forensic expert Dr. Lowell Levine suggested a link between Macek and the 1972 murder of Sally Kandel, yet Richard Milone was already convicted for that crime. Despite a supposed confession letter from Macek to Milone's family, the claim remained unverified.
Macek was also suspected in the 1975 death of Cindy Becker and the 1975 murder of Michele Baker, yet charges never materialized. Briefly, he was considered a suspect in the 1968 murder of Christine Rothschild, but no charges were filed.
Incarceration and Final Act
During his incarceration, Macek's willingness to assist investigators by undergoing examinations was noted, but many believed he was beyond rehabilitation. He lived in relative comfort, working as a chef and even applying for social security.
His story ended on March 2, 1987, when Macek took his own life in Dodge Correctional Institution. Found hanging from shoestrings tied to an air vent, his death was discovered by warden Gordon Abrahamson. Attempts to save him failed, and he was pronounced dead at Waupun Memorial Hospital. For those who had pursued him, the news brought relief rather than sorrow.
Sources
For a detailed account of Richard Macek's life and crimes, visit his Wikipedia page: Richard Macek.
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 Murder Victim Found
Paula Atkinson Cupit found murdered at The Abbey Resort.
Lossman Murders Discovered
Bodies of Nancy and Lisa Lossman found after a fire.
Attempted Murder of Kulisek
Macek attacks Sharon Lee Kulisek while she does laundry.
Macek Arrested
Macek apprehended in California after being a fugitive.
Guilty Plea for Attempted Murder
Macek pleads guilty to attempted murder of Kulisek.
Trial for Cupit Murder
Macek's trial for the murder of Paula Cupit begins.
Convicted for Lossman Murders
Macek pleads guilty to the murders of Nancy and Lisa Lossman.
Macek Commits Suicide
Richard Macek hangs himself in his prison cell.