The Chilling Case of Robert Hayes: The Daytona Beach Killer

In the sultry atmosphere of Daytona Beach, Florida, a sinister figure lurked beneath the sun-drenched facade. Robert Tyrone Hayes, born on March 12, 1982, in West Palm Beach, Florida, would come to be known as a convicted serial killer, his reign of terror spanning from December 2005 to February 2006. He was later linked to a murder in 2016, and he remains a suspect in a 2007 homicide. This narrative unravels the chilling details of his crimes, the ensuing investigations, and the ultimate justice served.

Early Life and Education

Robert Hayes, affectionately called "Squeaky" by those who knew him, was the youngest of four children. Tragically, his father was murdered shortly after his birth, leaving his mother to raise him. Reports suggest that Hayes endured abuse during his childhood and was molested by a similarly aged family member. In his youth, he was often bullied for his chubby appearance.

Despite these hardships, Hayes emerged as a charismatic figure, known for his poetic recitations in Miami and his active social life, which included attending and hosting sex parties. In the early 2000s, he fathered a child with his girlfriend. Between 2000 and 2006, Hayes pursued a degree in criminal justice at Bethune–Cookman College, where he was considered helpful and had aspirations of starting a cooking business in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Murders in Daytona Beach

The tale of terror began with the murder of Laquetta Mae Gunther, discovered in an alley on December 26, 2005. She had been shot in the back of the head, her body uncovered two days after missing a Christmas Eve dinner with a friend. Gunther was known to work as a sex worker, a detail shared by Hayes' next victim, Julie Green, found on January 14, 2006. Green had also been shot in the back of the head, and tire tracks left at the scene suggested the involvement of a 2003 Taurus or Sable.

In a chilling continuation, police discovered Iwana Patton's body on February 24, 2006, on a dirt road. Unlike the others, Patton appeared to have struggled before her death, and investigators recovered DNA and a shell casing that identified the murder weapon as a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson Sigma Series VE. Though a tipster led investigators to Patton's body, they were subsequently cleared of suspicion.

All three victims were believed to have voluntarily entered their killer's vehicle, only to be later found in Daytona Beach, their bodies openly discarded. A criminal profile suggested the killer might be a white male, possibly involved in a line of work that allowed him to evade suspicion. Hayes, a known gun owner of the same caliber used in the murders, was initially questioned but not considered a suspect, possibly due to racial profiling assumptions.

The Unsolved Case of Stacey Gage

On January 2, 2008, the remains of Stacey Charlene Gage were found, shot in the head. Gage had vanished on December 11, 2007, after leaving her home to buy ice. While her lifestyle differed from the previous victims, as she had no prostitution record but a history of drug issues, the circumstances of her death mirrored the earlier murders. The van she used was later found abandoned.

The Daytona Beach Police Department formed a task force to hunt the killer, dubbed "The Daytona Beach Killer" by media and law enforcement. Despite their efforts, including DNA testing of potential suspects, the case grew cold.

A Grim Link: The Murder of Rachel Bey

A decade later, on March 7, 2016, the beaten and strangled body of Rachel Elizabeth Bey was discovered near Jupiter, Florida. DNA evidence from Bey's body matched that from the Daytona Beach murders, sparking renewed investigation.

Other Potential Victims

The case's complexity deepened with possible connections to other unsolved murders in Florida. In 2006, the dismembered remains of Regan Kendall and Kelly Lanthorne were found, alongside the body of Lisa Marie French, who had been raped and suffocated by another convicted criminal, Jerry Lee Williams Jr.

Speculations and Theories

The media speculated about connections between the Daytona Beach killings and other serial murders, including those along Long Island and in Atlantic City. However, investigators found no evidence linking these cases conclusively.

The Breakthrough: Genetic Genealogy

The pivotal moment came when investigators employed genetic genealogy, a groundbreaking tool that had previously identified the Golden State Killer. Using DNA from the crime scenes and a genealogy database, they connected Robert Hayes to the murders. Surveillance and a cigarette butt sealed the case against him.

Arrest and Trial

On September 15, 2019, authorities arrested Hayes at his West Palm Beach residence. He was charged with the murder of Rachel Bey, followed by three additional charges for the Daytona Beach murders. Initially, prosecutors sought the death penalty. However, on February 22, 2022, Hayes was found guilty of the three Daytona Beach murders. By March 2, 2022, he was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without parole. He awaits trial for Bey's murder.

Conclusion

Robert Hayes' story is a chilling reminder of the darkness that can hide in plain sight. Despite his façade of normalcy, he left a trail of devastation that haunted Florida for years. His conviction marks a significant victory for law enforcement, showcasing the power of modern forensic techniques in solving cold cases. The victims' families, while achieving some measure of justice, continue to grapple with the profound loss inflicted by Hayes' heinous acts.

Sources

For further reading, visit the Wikipedia article on Robert Hayes.