Richard Speck
Mass Murder of Nurses
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois
TIME PERIOD
July 13–14, 1966
VICTIMS
8 confirmed
On the night of July 13–14, 1966, Richard Speck committed a brutal mass murder in South Deering, Chicago, where he killed eight student nurses in their residence, employing methods such as stabbing, strangling, and slashing their throats. One victim, Corazon Amurao, survived by hiding under a bed, providing crucial testimony. Speck was apprehended on July 17, 1966, and was convicted of all eight murders on April 15, 1967, receiving a death sentence that was later commuted to 400–1,200 years in prison, and subsequently reduced to 100–300 years. He died of a heart attack in prison on December 5, 1991, one day before his 50th birthday. Significant evidence included eyewitness accounts, forensic analysis, and the survival of Amurao, which played a critical role in the prosecution's case against Speck.
Richard Speck is theorized to have committed the murders due to a combination of sadism and a desire to eliminate witnesses, as he killed eight student nurses and only one survived by hiding. Some speculate that his violent behavior was influenced by a troubled childhood and possible psychological issues. Additionally, there are beliefs that his actions were premeditated, as he targeted a residence with multiple potential victims.
The Dark Path of Richard Speck: A True Crime Chronicle
The Night of Terror
In the quiet hours between July 13 and 14, 1966, an unimaginable nightmare unfolded in a South Deering, Chicago townhouse. Richard Benjamin Speck, a man whose life had been a tumultuous spiral of crime and violence, invaded the residence of eight student nurses. With chilling brutality, he subjected them to a night of horror, using his knife to stab, strangle, and slash their throats. He raped one victim, Gloria Davy, before ending her life. In a twist of fate, Corazon Amurao, another student nurse, managed to survive by hiding under a bed, becoming the sole witness to Speck's monstrous rampage.
The Early Years
Richard Benjamin Speck was born on December 6, 1941, in Kirkwood, Illinois. He was the seventh of eight children in a family that soon moved to Monmouth, Illinois. His father, Benjamin Franklin Speck, worked as a packer at Western Stoneware and was a figure of stability in young Richard's life until his death from a heart attack in 1947. Richard's mother, Mary Margaret Carbaugh, remarried Carl August Rudolph Lindberg, a man whose past was marred with a 25-year criminal record. Lindberg's presence introduced chaos into Richard's life. The family moved to Texas, where Richard's struggle with his stepfather's alcoholism and abuse left deep scars.
From Dallas to Chicago: A Trail of Crime
Richard's adolescence in Dallas was marked by frequent relocations and a growing rap sheet. He dropped out of school at 16, began drinking heavily at 12, and was first arrested for trespassing at 13. His criminal activities escalated, including forgery and burglary, leading to a three-year prison sentence at 21. Released early for good behavior, he soon found himself in trouble again, this time for aggravated assault. A series of minor and major criminal acts dotted his life, including a stint with the U.S. Merchant Marine, which was cut short due to appendicitis.
In March 1966, Speck returned to Monmouth, Illinois, where his criminal instincts resumed. He was suspected of burglaries and a violent assault on an elderly woman. His involvement in the murder of Mary Kathryn Pierce, a local barmaid, was never proven, but he was questioned and fled town when police sought him for further interrogation.
The Chicago Interlude
Speck's journey led him to Chicago, where his sister Martha Thornton offered temporary refuge. His brother-in-law, Gene Thornton, tried to steer him toward legitimate work with the Merchant Marine. However, Speck's inability to secure a stable position and his increasingly erratic behavior foreshadowed the violence to come. On July 11, 1966, Speck found himself without a place to stay and no prospects for work. His frustration and desperation culminated in a series of events that would forever alter the lives of the student nurses.
A Descent into Madness
On July 12, 1966, after another failed attempt to secure maritime work, Speck's anger boiled over. He ended up at the Shipyard Inn, where he raped Ella Mae Hooper at knifepoint and stole her .22 caliber pistol. The following day, Speck, dressed in black and armed, made his way to the nurses' townhouse.
The Aftermath and Capture
Speck's heinous acts did not go unnoticed. Corazon Amurao's survival and testimony were crucial. Speck was apprehended on July 17, 1966. Convicted of all eight murders on April 15, 1967, he received a death sentence, later commuted to 400-1,200 years, and then to 100-300 years. Speck spent his remaining years at Stateville Correctional Center, where he died of a heart attack on December 5, 1991, the eve of his 50th birthday.
Legacy of Horror
The crimes of Richard Speck left an indelible mark on Chicago and the nation. His acts of violence pushed the city into a state of fear and mourning, highlighting the vulnerabilities of young women living in urban environments. Despite Speck's death, the memory of his crimes remains a chilling reminder of the darkness that can reside within the human soul.
Sources
For more on Richard Speck, visit Wikipedia.
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Mass Murder of Nurses
Richard Speck murders eight student nurses in Chicago.
Speck Arrested
Richard Speck is arrested after being recognized by a doctor at Cook County Hospital.
Trial Begins
Trial for Richard Speck begins in Peoria, Illinois.
Conviction
Richard Speck is found guilty of all eight murders.
Death Sentence Upheld
Illinois Supreme Court upholds Speck's conviction and death sentence.
Re-sentenced
Speck is re-sentenced to 400 to 1,200 years in prison.
Speck Dies
Richard Speck dies of a heart attack in prison.
On the night of July 13–14, 1966, Richard Speck committed a brutal mass murder in South Deering, Chicago, where he killed eight student nurses in their residence, employing methods such as stabbing, strangling, and slashing their throats. One victim, Corazon Amurao, survived by hiding under a bed, providing crucial testimony. Speck was apprehended on July 17, 1966, and was convicted of all eight murders on April 15, 1967, receiving a death sentence that was later commuted to 400–1,200 years in prison, and subsequently reduced to 100–300 years. He died of a heart attack in prison on December 5, 1991, one day before his 50th birthday. Significant evidence included eyewitness accounts, forensic analysis, and the survival of Amurao, which played a critical role in the prosecution's case against Speck.
Richard Speck is theorized to have committed the murders due to a combination of sadism and a desire to eliminate witnesses, as he killed eight student nurses and only one survived by hiding. Some speculate that his violent behavior was influenced by a troubled childhood and possible psychological issues. Additionally, there are beliefs that his actions were premeditated, as he targeted a residence with multiple potential victims.
The Dark Path of Richard Speck: A True Crime Chronicle
The Night of Terror
In the quiet hours between July 13 and 14, 1966, an unimaginable nightmare unfolded in a South Deering, Chicago townhouse. Richard Benjamin Speck, a man whose life had been a tumultuous spiral of crime and violence, invaded the residence of eight student nurses. With chilling brutality, he subjected them to a night of horror, using his knife to stab, strangle, and slash their throats. He raped one victim, Gloria Davy, before ending her life. In a twist of fate, Corazon Amurao, another student nurse, managed to survive by hiding under a bed, becoming the sole witness to Speck's monstrous rampage.
The Early Years
Richard Benjamin Speck was born on December 6, 1941, in Kirkwood, Illinois. He was the seventh of eight children in a family that soon moved to Monmouth, Illinois. His father, Benjamin Franklin Speck, worked as a packer at Western Stoneware and was a figure of stability in young Richard's life until his death from a heart attack in 1947. Richard's mother, Mary Margaret Carbaugh, remarried Carl August Rudolph Lindberg, a man whose past was marred with a 25-year criminal record. Lindberg's presence introduced chaos into Richard's life. The family moved to Texas, where Richard's struggle with his stepfather's alcoholism and abuse left deep scars.
From Dallas to Chicago: A Trail of Crime
Richard's adolescence in Dallas was marked by frequent relocations and a growing rap sheet. He dropped out of school at 16, began drinking heavily at 12, and was first arrested for trespassing at 13. His criminal activities escalated, including forgery and burglary, leading to a three-year prison sentence at 21. Released early for good behavior, he soon found himself in trouble again, this time for aggravated assault. A series of minor and major criminal acts dotted his life, including a stint with the U.S. Merchant Marine, which was cut short due to appendicitis.
In March 1966, Speck returned to Monmouth, Illinois, where his criminal instincts resumed. He was suspected of burglaries and a violent assault on an elderly woman. His involvement in the murder of Mary Kathryn Pierce, a local barmaid, was never proven, but he was questioned and fled town when police sought him for further interrogation.
The Chicago Interlude
Speck's journey led him to Chicago, where his sister Martha Thornton offered temporary refuge. His brother-in-law, Gene Thornton, tried to steer him toward legitimate work with the Merchant Marine. However, Speck's inability to secure a stable position and his increasingly erratic behavior foreshadowed the violence to come. On July 11, 1966, Speck found himself without a place to stay and no prospects for work. His frustration and desperation culminated in a series of events that would forever alter the lives of the student nurses.
A Descent into Madness
On July 12, 1966, after another failed attempt to secure maritime work, Speck's anger boiled over. He ended up at the Shipyard Inn, where he raped Ella Mae Hooper at knifepoint and stole her .22 caliber pistol. The following day, Speck, dressed in black and armed, made his way to the nurses' townhouse.
The Aftermath and Capture
Speck's heinous acts did not go unnoticed. Corazon Amurao's survival and testimony were crucial. Speck was apprehended on July 17, 1966. Convicted of all eight murders on April 15, 1967, he received a death sentence, later commuted to 400-1,200 years, and then to 100-300 years. Speck spent his remaining years at Stateville Correctional Center, where he died of a heart attack on December 5, 1991, the eve of his 50th birthday.
Legacy of Horror
The crimes of Richard Speck left an indelible mark on Chicago and the nation. His acts of violence pushed the city into a state of fear and mourning, highlighting the vulnerabilities of young women living in urban environments. Despite Speck's death, the memory of his crimes remains a chilling reminder of the darkness that can reside within the human soul.
Sources
For more on Richard Speck, visit Wikipedia.
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...
Mass Murder of Nurses
Richard Speck murders eight student nurses in Chicago.
Speck Arrested
Richard Speck is arrested after being recognized by a doctor at Cook County Hospital.
Trial Begins
Trial for Richard Speck begins in Peoria, Illinois.
Conviction
Richard Speck is found guilty of all eight murders.
Death Sentence Upheld
Illinois Supreme Court upholds Speck's conviction and death sentence.
Re-sentenced
Speck is re-sentenced to 400 to 1,200 years in prison.
Speck Dies
Richard Speck dies of a heart attack in prison.