Robert Wayne Danielson
Western United States Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Western United States
TIME PERIOD
December 1981 - November 1982
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
Robert Wayne Danielson, Jr. was an American serial killer responsible for the murders of six individuals across the Western United States between December 1981 and November 1982, primarily targeting victims at campsites or secluded park areas. The crimes occurred in various states, including Arizona, California, and Oregon, with the first known murder taking place on December 9, 1981, when he shot Harold and Betty Pratt at a campsite in Arizona. Danielson, who was on parole for a previous manslaughter conviction, was apprehended on April 6, 1984, and subsequently sentenced to death in California for two of the murders. He died by suicide in San Quentin State Prison on September 7, 1995, while serving his sentence. Significant evidence included the recovery of the victims' belongings and Danielson's confession to multiple murders during interrogations.
Robert Wayne Danielson is believed to have committed more murders than the six confirmed, with speculation suggesting he may be responsible for additional unsolved cases in Idaho and Nevada. Some theories propose that his crimes were motivated by a combination of financial gain through robbery and a desire for control over his victims. Additionally, there are discussions about the psychological impact of his early life experiences, including depression and drug use, potentially influencing his violent behavior.
The Dark Legacy of Robert Wayne Danielson
A Serial Killer's Trail of Terror
Born in Iowa on August 15, 1946, Robert Wayne Danielson Jr. would become notorious for a series of brutal murders across the Western United States. His life culminated in a grim end on September 7, 1995, within the confines of San Quentin State Prison, California, where he took his own life at the age of 49. Danielson's criminal activities, spanning from December 1981 to November 1982, left a trail of destruction and fear, primarily targeting victims in secluded campsites and park areas.
Early Life and Initial Crime
Little is known about Danielson's early years, but he reportedly struggled with depression and substance abuse. A pivotal moment in his life occurred on June 23, 1970, near Marcola, Oregon. Following a roadside altercation, Danielson fatally shot 21-year-old Thomas Elroy Davis. Initially charged with first-degree murder, Danielson's case ended in a mistrial due to improper evidence. In November 1970, he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, maintaining his claim of self-defense. Danielson was sentenced to 25 years in prison, serving 11 years before being granted parole in 1981.
The Murders Begin
Upon release from Oregon State Penitentiary, Danielson's violent tendencies resurfaced. On December 9, 1981, he encountered Harold and Betty Pratt at a desert campsite in Arizona. After binding the couple's hands, he executed them with shots to the head and stole their pickup truck. The vehicle was later found abandoned in Yuma, Arizona, prompting authorities to offer a $5,000 reward for information.
In the months that followed, Danielson started a relationship with 14-year-old Lenora Hart Johnson in Springfield, Oregon. By June 21, 1982, Danielson and Johnson were responsible for the murder of 62-year-old Arthur E. Gray, whom they encountered in a Eugene park. Gray was bound and shot in the head, his body discovered four days later by a youth group.
The killing spree continued into July 1982, when the couple targeted Benjamin and Edith Shaffer in Manchester, California. Johnson bound the couple while Danielson ordered her to distract their dog before he executed them. By November, Danielson had claimed another victim, 38-year-old Ernest Corral, in Apache Junction, Arizona.
Investigation and Capture
After the Shaffers' murders, Danielson retained their credit cards and campervan, eventually abandoning the vehicle in Reno, Nevada. The following December, road workers unearthed the Shaffers' bodies, identified through dental records. Detectives quickly honed in on Danielson, who had been spotted using the Shaffers' credit cards. Johnson was located and confessed her involvement, implicating Danielson as the mastermind and revealing additional murders he had confided to her.
Despite being charged with two counts of murder, Danielson evaded capture until April 6, 1984, when authorities arrested him in Odessa, Texas, at a traveling carnival.
Trials and Sentencing
Danielson's first trial took place in California, where a dramatic courtroom incident unfolded. His mother, Mary Ann Bishop, was caught attempting to smuggle a loaded revolver to him. This act led to her arrest and a three-year prison sentence. In July 1986, a jury found Danielson guilty of murdering the Shaffers, making him eligible for the death penalty. He implored the jury for leniency, expressing self-loathing, yet the jury sentenced him to death two months later.
Subsequently, Danielson was extradited to Oregon for the murder of Arthur Gray. In February 1987, he was found guilty but spared the death penalty due to the timing of Oregon's capital punishment laws. Instead, the jury sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The Final Chapter
As Danielson awaited execution on death row at San Quentin, his life came to a sudden end on September 7, 1995. A corrections officer discovered him hanging by a white tube sock in his cell. Efforts to revive him failed, marking a grim conclusion to a life marked by violence.
Sources
For more detailed information, visit the Wikipedia article: Robert Wayne Danielson
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 Committed
Robert Wayne Danielson fatally shoots Thomas Elroy Davis after an argument.
Double Murder at Campsite
Danielson murders Harold and Betty Pratt at a desert campsite in Arizona.
Murder of Arthur Gray
Danielson shoots 62-year-old Arthur Gray at a park in Eugene, Oregon.
Murder of Shaffer Couple
Danielson and accomplice Lenora Johnson kill Benjamin and Edith Shaffer in California.
Bodies Discovered
Two bodies identified as the Shaffers are found in a ravine, leading to Danielson being named a suspect.
Danielson Arrested
Robert Wayne Danielson is arrested in Odessa, Texas, after being a fugitive.
Death Sentence Imposed
Danielson is sentenced to death for the murders of the Shaffer couple.
Life Sentence for Gray's Murder
Danielson is sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Arthur Gray in Oregon.
Danielson's Death
Robert Wayne Danielson is found dead in his cell at San Quentin State Prison.
Robert Wayne Danielson, Jr. was an American serial killer responsible for the murders of six individuals across the Western United States between December 1981 and November 1982, primarily targeting victims at campsites or secluded park areas. The crimes occurred in various states, including Arizona, California, and Oregon, with the first known murder taking place on December 9, 1981, when he shot Harold and Betty Pratt at a campsite in Arizona. Danielson, who was on parole for a previous manslaughter conviction, was apprehended on April 6, 1984, and subsequently sentenced to death in California for two of the murders. He died by suicide in San Quentin State Prison on September 7, 1995, while serving his sentence. Significant evidence included the recovery of the victims' belongings and Danielson's confession to multiple murders during interrogations.
Robert Wayne Danielson is believed to have committed more murders than the six confirmed, with speculation suggesting he may be responsible for additional unsolved cases in Idaho and Nevada. Some theories propose that his crimes were motivated by a combination of financial gain through robbery and a desire for control over his victims. Additionally, there are discussions about the psychological impact of his early life experiences, including depression and drug use, potentially influencing his violent behavior.
The Dark Legacy of Robert Wayne Danielson
A Serial Killer's Trail of Terror
Born in Iowa on August 15, 1946, Robert Wayne Danielson Jr. would become notorious for a series of brutal murders across the Western United States. His life culminated in a grim end on September 7, 1995, within the confines of San Quentin State Prison, California, where he took his own life at the age of 49. Danielson's criminal activities, spanning from December 1981 to November 1982, left a trail of destruction and fear, primarily targeting victims in secluded campsites and park areas.
Early Life and Initial Crime
Little is known about Danielson's early years, but he reportedly struggled with depression and substance abuse. A pivotal moment in his life occurred on June 23, 1970, near Marcola, Oregon. Following a roadside altercation, Danielson fatally shot 21-year-old Thomas Elroy Davis. Initially charged with first-degree murder, Danielson's case ended in a mistrial due to improper evidence. In November 1970, he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, maintaining his claim of self-defense. Danielson was sentenced to 25 years in prison, serving 11 years before being granted parole in 1981.
The Murders Begin
Upon release from Oregon State Penitentiary, Danielson's violent tendencies resurfaced. On December 9, 1981, he encountered Harold and Betty Pratt at a desert campsite in Arizona. After binding the couple's hands, he executed them with shots to the head and stole their pickup truck. The vehicle was later found abandoned in Yuma, Arizona, prompting authorities to offer a $5,000 reward for information.
In the months that followed, Danielson started a relationship with 14-year-old Lenora Hart Johnson in Springfield, Oregon. By June 21, 1982, Danielson and Johnson were responsible for the murder of 62-year-old Arthur E. Gray, whom they encountered in a Eugene park. Gray was bound and shot in the head, his body discovered four days later by a youth group.
The killing spree continued into July 1982, when the couple targeted Benjamin and Edith Shaffer in Manchester, California. Johnson bound the couple while Danielson ordered her to distract their dog before he executed them. By November, Danielson had claimed another victim, 38-year-old Ernest Corral, in Apache Junction, Arizona.
Investigation and Capture
After the Shaffers' murders, Danielson retained their credit cards and campervan, eventually abandoning the vehicle in Reno, Nevada. The following December, road workers unearthed the Shaffers' bodies, identified through dental records. Detectives quickly honed in on Danielson, who had been spotted using the Shaffers' credit cards. Johnson was located and confessed her involvement, implicating Danielson as the mastermind and revealing additional murders he had confided to her.
Despite being charged with two counts of murder, Danielson evaded capture until April 6, 1984, when authorities arrested him in Odessa, Texas, at a traveling carnival.
Trials and Sentencing
Danielson's first trial took place in California, where a dramatic courtroom incident unfolded. His mother, Mary Ann Bishop, was caught attempting to smuggle a loaded revolver to him. This act led to her arrest and a three-year prison sentence. In July 1986, a jury found Danielson guilty of murdering the Shaffers, making him eligible for the death penalty. He implored the jury for leniency, expressing self-loathing, yet the jury sentenced him to death two months later.
Subsequently, Danielson was extradited to Oregon for the murder of Arthur Gray. In February 1987, he was found guilty but spared the death penalty due to the timing of Oregon's capital punishment laws. Instead, the jury sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The Final Chapter
As Danielson awaited execution on death row at San Quentin, his life came to a sudden end on September 7, 1995. A corrections officer discovered him hanging by a white tube sock in his cell. Efforts to revive him failed, marking a grim conclusion to a life marked by violence.
Sources
For more detailed information, visit the Wikipedia article: Robert Wayne Danielson
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 Committed
Robert Wayne Danielson fatally shoots Thomas Elroy Davis after an argument.
Double Murder at Campsite
Danielson murders Harold and Betty Pratt at a desert campsite in Arizona.
Murder of Arthur Gray
Danielson shoots 62-year-old Arthur Gray at a park in Eugene, Oregon.
Murder of Shaffer Couple
Danielson and accomplice Lenora Johnson kill Benjamin and Edith Shaffer in California.
Bodies Discovered
Two bodies identified as the Shaffers are found in a ravine, leading to Danielson being named a suspect.
Danielson Arrested
Robert Wayne Danielson is arrested in Odessa, Texas, after being a fugitive.
Death Sentence Imposed
Danielson is sentenced to death for the murders of the Shaffer couple.
Life Sentence for Gray's Murder
Danielson is sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Arthur Gray in Oregon.
Danielson's Death
Robert Wayne Danielson is found dead in his cell at San Quentin State Prison.