Rory Enrique Conde
Colombian-American Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Miami, Florida
TIME PERIOD
September 1994 - January 1995
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
Rory Enrique Conde, a Colombian-American serial killer known as "The Tamiami Trail Strangler," was responsible for the murders of six prostitutes in Miami, Florida, between September 17, 1994, and January 12, 1995. The crimes predominantly occurred along the Tamiami Trail, where Conde targeted vulnerable women. He was apprehended on June 19, 1995, and subsequently sentenced to death for one of the murders, while receiving multiple life sentences for the others. However, his death sentence was overturned following the Hurst v. Florida ruling, and he is currently awaiting resentencing. Significant evidence in the case included DNA analysis linking him to the victims, as well as witness testimonies that placed him at the crime scenes.
Rory Enrique Conde is believed to have been influenced by a troubled childhood, with speculation surrounding potential emotional and physical abuse from his father, which some believe may have contributed to his violent behavior later in life. There are theories that his crimes were not just opportunistic but also motivated by a deeper psychological disturbance, possibly linked to his upbringing and experiences of isolation. Additionally, some investigators and the public speculate that Conde may have had more victims than the six confirmed, given the nature of his crimes and the time period in which they occurred.
The Tamiami Trail Strangler: The Chilling Tale of Rory Enrique Conde
A Silent Childhood
Rory Enrique Conde was born under the tropical sun of Barranquilla, Colombia, on June 14, 1965. Life dealt him a harsh hand from the start, as he lost his mother to tetanus when he was just six months old. Raised by his grandmother Maria Rojas, Rory and his sister Nelly found their lives uprooted when they moved to Miami at twelve to live with their father, Gustavo Conde, an airline worker with a new wife. The relationship between father and son was strained; Rory saw Gustavo as emotionally abusive, while Gustavo perceived Rory as an introverted loner. Allegations of sexual abuse by his father, suggested by Rory’s future wife Carla, were never substantiated.
A Marriage in Turmoil
Rory first met Carla in 1985, and by 1987, they were married. The couple had two children: a son, Rory Jr., and a daughter, Nidia. Rory dropped out of Miami Dade College to work at a lumber company, and eventually moved his family in with Carla’s parents. Despite a facade of friendliness, Rory was known for violent outbursts. The couple's marriage was far from peaceful, marred by Rory's abusive behavior. Carla endured beatings and threats, including being thrown out of their apartment while pregnant. The violence escalated when they moved into their own place in 1989.
In 1991, Carla discovered another woman wearing her lingerie on a videotape. Confronting Rory led to a beating that landed him in jail for domestic battery. Their tumultuous relationship saw cycles of breakups and reconciliations until Rory stopped being intimate with Carla, preferring to spend nights peeping into women's windows. Caught by Carla in 1993, Rory's secret voyeurism was exposed. By early 1994, he worked at Booker & Co., praised by coworkers unaware of his dark side. When Carla finally left with their children in July 1994, Rory's rage boiled over, culminating in threats of murder if she dated anyone else. Carla's refusal to return or reconcile set the stage for Rory's descent into madness.
The Murders Begin
On September 17, 1994, the body of Lazaro Comesana, a cross-dressing prostitute known as "Vanessa" or "Jessica," was discovered near Flagami. Rory later confessed to killing Comesana upon realizing his gender during a sexual encounter. Weeks later, on October 8, the body of 44-year-old Elisa "Daphne" Martinez was found near Florida International University. The murder spree continued with Charity Fay Nava's body discovered on November 20, marked with a taunting message that linked her to the previous victims. Five days later, Wanda Cook Crawford, 38, was found asphyxiated in an apartment complex parking lot, initially thought unrelated due to the cause of death.
December 19 saw the discovery of Necole Schneider near the Tamiami Trail, confirming the presence of a serial killer, now dubbed "The Tamiami Trail Strangler." The final victim, Rhonda Dunn, was found on January 12, 1995. Despite police warnings, she continued soliciting clients along the Trail. Her murder coincided with a media frenzy over escaped murderers, suggesting Rory craved attention.
The Investigation and Arrest
Miami-Dade Police and FBI profilers, despite a massive investigation involving over 100 officers and $2 million, struggled to crack the case. A breakthrough came on June 19, 1995, from a tip about a bound woman in Rory's Trail Heights Gardens apartment. Police rescued Gloria Maestre, a prostitute raped and held captive. Rory fled upon seeing police but was arrested five days later at his grandmother's house in Hialeah.
DNA evidence linked Rory to five victims, and during questioning, he confessed, citing his wife's departure as his motive. His arrest shocked neighbors, who had observed but never reported his bizarre behaviors, including nocturnal peeping and transporting mysterious duffel bags.
Trial and Sentencing
Rory faced six murder charges, alongside rape and theft. His confession revealed a chilling practice of blaming victims for his life’s ruin. Despite attempts by his attorneys to suppress his confession, the evidence was overwhelming. In October 1999, he was tried for Rhonda Dunn’s murder, convicted, and sentenced to death. In 2001, Rory pleaded guilty to the other five murders, securing life sentences without parole.
Current Status
Rory Enrique Conde’s conviction led to multiple appeals, with the Florida Supreme Court upholding his death sentence in 2003. However, following the 2016 ruling in Hurst v. Florida, his death sentence was overturned. As of March 2025, he awaits resentencing, a grim reminder of the terror he wrought along the Tamiami Trail.
Sources
For further details, you can refer to the original Wikipedia article.
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First Victim Found
Police discover the body of Lazaro Comesana, marking the start of the Tamiami Trail murders.
Second Victim Discovered
The body of Elisa 'Daphne' Martinez is found, raising concerns about a potential serial killer.
Third Victim Found
Charity Fay Nava's body is discovered with a message left by the killer, linking her to previous victims.
Serial Killer Acknowledged
Necole Schneider's body is found, leading police to officially recognize a serial killer on the loose.
Final Victim Found
Police locate the body of Rhonda Dunn, marking the end of the murder spree.
Conde Arrested
Rory Conde is arrested after police find a bound victim in his apartment, linking him to the murders.
Trial Begins
Rory Conde's trial for the murder of Rhonda Dunn commences, with strong evidence against him.
Death Sentence Imposed
Conde is sentenced to death for the murder of Rhonda Dunn.
Death Sentence Overturned
Conde's death sentence is overturned due to Hurst v. Florida, and he awaits resentencing.
Rory Enrique Conde, a Colombian-American serial killer known as "The Tamiami Trail Strangler," was responsible for the murders of six prostitutes in Miami, Florida, between September 17, 1994, and January 12, 1995. The crimes predominantly occurred along the Tamiami Trail, where Conde targeted vulnerable women. He was apprehended on June 19, 1995, and subsequently sentenced to death for one of the murders, while receiving multiple life sentences for the others. However, his death sentence was overturned following the Hurst v. Florida ruling, and he is currently awaiting resentencing. Significant evidence in the case included DNA analysis linking him to the victims, as well as witness testimonies that placed him at the crime scenes.
Rory Enrique Conde is believed to have been influenced by a troubled childhood, with speculation surrounding potential emotional and physical abuse from his father, which some believe may have contributed to his violent behavior later in life. There are theories that his crimes were not just opportunistic but also motivated by a deeper psychological disturbance, possibly linked to his upbringing and experiences of isolation. Additionally, some investigators and the public speculate that Conde may have had more victims than the six confirmed, given the nature of his crimes and the time period in which they occurred.
The Tamiami Trail Strangler: The Chilling Tale of Rory Enrique Conde
A Silent Childhood
Rory Enrique Conde was born under the tropical sun of Barranquilla, Colombia, on June 14, 1965. Life dealt him a harsh hand from the start, as he lost his mother to tetanus when he was just six months old. Raised by his grandmother Maria Rojas, Rory and his sister Nelly found their lives uprooted when they moved to Miami at twelve to live with their father, Gustavo Conde, an airline worker with a new wife. The relationship between father and son was strained; Rory saw Gustavo as emotionally abusive, while Gustavo perceived Rory as an introverted loner. Allegations of sexual abuse by his father, suggested by Rory’s future wife Carla, were never substantiated.
A Marriage in Turmoil
Rory first met Carla in 1985, and by 1987, they were married. The couple had two children: a son, Rory Jr., and a daughter, Nidia. Rory dropped out of Miami Dade College to work at a lumber company, and eventually moved his family in with Carla’s parents. Despite a facade of friendliness, Rory was known for violent outbursts. The couple's marriage was far from peaceful, marred by Rory's abusive behavior. Carla endured beatings and threats, including being thrown out of their apartment while pregnant. The violence escalated when they moved into their own place in 1989.
In 1991, Carla discovered another woman wearing her lingerie on a videotape. Confronting Rory led to a beating that landed him in jail for domestic battery. Their tumultuous relationship saw cycles of breakups and reconciliations until Rory stopped being intimate with Carla, preferring to spend nights peeping into women's windows. Caught by Carla in 1993, Rory's secret voyeurism was exposed. By early 1994, he worked at Booker & Co., praised by coworkers unaware of his dark side. When Carla finally left with their children in July 1994, Rory's rage boiled over, culminating in threats of murder if she dated anyone else. Carla's refusal to return or reconcile set the stage for Rory's descent into madness.
The Murders Begin
On September 17, 1994, the body of Lazaro Comesana, a cross-dressing prostitute known as "Vanessa" or "Jessica," was discovered near Flagami. Rory later confessed to killing Comesana upon realizing his gender during a sexual encounter. Weeks later, on October 8, the body of 44-year-old Elisa "Daphne" Martinez was found near Florida International University. The murder spree continued with Charity Fay Nava's body discovered on November 20, marked with a taunting message that linked her to the previous victims. Five days later, Wanda Cook Crawford, 38, was found asphyxiated in an apartment complex parking lot, initially thought unrelated due to the cause of death.
December 19 saw the discovery of Necole Schneider near the Tamiami Trail, confirming the presence of a serial killer, now dubbed "The Tamiami Trail Strangler." The final victim, Rhonda Dunn, was found on January 12, 1995. Despite police warnings, she continued soliciting clients along the Trail. Her murder coincided with a media frenzy over escaped murderers, suggesting Rory craved attention.
The Investigation and Arrest
Miami-Dade Police and FBI profilers, despite a massive investigation involving over 100 officers and $2 million, struggled to crack the case. A breakthrough came on June 19, 1995, from a tip about a bound woman in Rory's Trail Heights Gardens apartment. Police rescued Gloria Maestre, a prostitute raped and held captive. Rory fled upon seeing police but was arrested five days later at his grandmother's house in Hialeah.
DNA evidence linked Rory to five victims, and during questioning, he confessed, citing his wife's departure as his motive. His arrest shocked neighbors, who had observed but never reported his bizarre behaviors, including nocturnal peeping and transporting mysterious duffel bags.
Trial and Sentencing
Rory faced six murder charges, alongside rape and theft. His confession revealed a chilling practice of blaming victims for his life’s ruin. Despite attempts by his attorneys to suppress his confession, the evidence was overwhelming. In October 1999, he was tried for Rhonda Dunn’s murder, convicted, and sentenced to death. In 2001, Rory pleaded guilty to the other five murders, securing life sentences without parole.
Current Status
Rory Enrique Conde’s conviction led to multiple appeals, with the Florida Supreme Court upholding his death sentence in 2003. However, following the 2016 ruling in Hurst v. Florida, his death sentence was overturned. As of March 2025, he awaits resentencing, a grim reminder of the terror he wrought along the Tamiami Trail.
Sources
For further details, you can refer to the original Wikipedia article.
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 Victim Found
Police discover the body of Lazaro Comesana, marking the start of the Tamiami Trail murders.
Second Victim Discovered
The body of Elisa 'Daphne' Martinez is found, raising concerns about a potential serial killer.
Third Victim Found
Charity Fay Nava's body is discovered with a message left by the killer, linking her to previous victims.
Serial Killer Acknowledged
Necole Schneider's body is found, leading police to officially recognize a serial killer on the loose.
Final Victim Found
Police locate the body of Rhonda Dunn, marking the end of the murder spree.
Conde Arrested
Rory Conde is arrested after police find a bound victim in his apartment, linking him to the murders.
Trial Begins
Rory Conde's trial for the murder of Rhonda Dunn commences, with strong evidence against him.
Death Sentence Imposed
Conde is sentenced to death for the murder of Rhonda Dunn.
Death Sentence Overturned
Conde's death sentence is overturned due to Hurst v. Florida, and he awaits resentencing.