Robert Lee Yates

Overview

Robert Lee Yates Jr. (born May 27, 1952), infamously known as the Spokane Serial Killer and the Grocery Bag Killer, is an American serial killer whose heinous crimes span nearly three decades. With a chilling history of murder, kidnapping, and rape, Yates is believed to have taken the lives of at least sixteen individuals in eastern Washington between 1975 and 1998. His case captivates true crime enthusiasts due to the complexity of his life, military background, and the gruesome details of his crimes.

Quick Facts

• Born: May 27, 1952 (age 73)
• Place of Birth: Oak Harbor, Washington, U.S.
• Other Names: The Grocery Bag Killer, The Prostitute Killer, Spokane's Serial Killer
• Convictions:
  • Aggravated first-degree murder (2 counts)
  • First-degree murder (13 counts)
  • Attempted first-degree murder
• Criminal Penalty: 408 years imprisonment in Spokane County; death penalty (commuted to life) in Pierce County
• Victims: 16+
• Span of Crimes: 1975–1998
• Country: United States
• State: Washington
• Date Apprehended: April 18, 2000
• Imprisoned at: Washington State Penitentiary

Early Life

Yates was born into a middle-class family in Oak Harbor, Washington, where he was raised in a Seventh-day Adventist household. His family history paints a dark backdrop; notably, his grandmother murdered his grandfather with an axe in 1945, hinting at a legacy of violence that would overshadow Yates' life.

After graduating from Oak Harbor High School in 1970, Yates began working as a correction officer at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla in 1975. His career took a significant turn in October 1977 when he enlisted in the United States Army. During his military service, which lasted until 1996, Yates became certified to fly helicopters and civilian transport planes. His military career included stints overseas in Germany, Somalia, and Haiti, where he served during various United Nations peacekeeping missions.

Interestingly, he left the Army just a year and a half shy of qualifying for full retirement benefits, but due to military downsizing, he was granted full retirement. Yates had five children (four daughters and a son) with his second wife, Linda, whom he married in 1976.

The Murders

Yates' reign of terror began in 1975 when he committed his first murders by shooting two college students who were enjoying a picnic near Walla Walla. Many of his subsequent victims were vulnerable women, often sex workers struggling with substance abuse, whom he would lure into his Ford van. After engaging in sexual acts, he would murder them, disposing of their bodies in remote rural areas. The forensic evidence reveals a grim pattern: all victims died from gunshot wounds to the head or heart, with eight murders committed using a Raven .25-caliber handgun.

Notable Victims

• Patrick Allen Oliver and Susan Patricia Savage: Shot on July 13, 1975, their bodies were discovered the next day near Walla Walla. They were last seen heading to a picnic.

• Stacy Elizabeth Hawn: Disappeared on July 7, 1988, while working as a sex worker. Her remains were found on December 28, 1988.

• Shannon Rene Zielinski: Found on June 14, 1996, at the age of 38, she had a history of working as a sex worker.

• Heather Louise Hernandez: Discovered on August 26, 1997, she was shot just days earlier. Hernandez had recently relocated to the area and struggled with her own issues.

• Jennifer Ann Joseph: The 16-year-old was murdered in August 1997. She was found shot in the head, and evidence at the scene included a towel and hair belonging to a male.

• Darla Sue Scott: Found on November 5, 1997, her remains were discovered in a shallow grave.

• Melinda Lee Mercer: Discovered on December 7, 1997, she was shot multiple times, and Yates revealed that she had chewed through plastic bags placed over her head before dying.

• Shawn Lynette Johnson: Her body was found on December 18, 1997, with similar methods of murder as other victims.

• Connie Lynn Ellis-LaFontaine: The 35-year-old hairdresser was found in a ditch on October 13, 1998, with evidence linking her death to Yates.

The Investigation

On September 19, 1998, Yates was stopped by Spokane police, who requested a DNA sample. He refused, claiming it was an excessive demand for a "family man." This refusal would come back to haunt him later as investigators pieced together the puzzle of the murders.

Yates' arrest came on April 18, 2000, when he was connected to the murder of Jennifer Joseph. The investigation took a critical turn when a search warrant was executed on his white 1977 Chevrolet Corvette, linked to one of the victims. Blood samples found in the vehicle matched Joseph, and DNA evidence eventually connected Yates to twelve other victims.

Convictions and Appeals

Following his arrest, Yates was charged with 13 counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder. In a plea bargain to avoid the death penalty, he confessed to his crimes, leading to a sentence of 408 years in prison. However, in 2001, he faced additional charges for two murders in Pierce County, where the prosecution sought the death penalty again. On October 3, 2002, he was sentenced to death by lethal injection.

Yates' legal battles continued as he appealed his death sentence, arguing that it was disproportionate compared to his life sentence for multiple murders. The Washington Supreme Court upheld his conviction, but a moratorium on executions was enacted by Governor Jay Inslee in 2013. The situation escalated further when, in 2018, the Washington Supreme Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional, resulting in Yates' death sentence being commuted to life without parole.

Conclusion

Robert Lee Yates remains incarcerated at the Washington State Penitentiary, his life a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of ordinary existence. His case not only showcases the brutality of his crimes but also raises questions about mental health, addiction, and the systemic failures surrounding vulnerable populations.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Robert Lee Yates
• Various news articles and books detailing the investigation, trials, and victims associated with Robert Lee Yates.