Sebastian Shaw (Serial Killer)
Serial Killer and Rapist
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Portland, Oregon
TIME PERIOD
1991-1992
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Sebastian Alexander Shaw, a Vietnamese-born American, was a serial killer and rapist responsible for at least three confirmed murders in Portland, Oregon, between 1991 and 1992, with additional confessions to ten more killings during his incarceration. His first known victim, Jay Andrew Rickbeil, was found murdered in his home on July 1, 1991, with evidence suggesting a knife was used in the attack. Shaw was apprehended for the final time on February 20, 1998, and subsequently sentenced to three life terms without the possibility of parole. He was also a prime suspect in the 1994 murder of 14-year-old Jenny Lin in Castro Valley, California. Shaw died in prison on October 4, 2021, while serving his sentences at the Oregon State Penitentiary. Significant evidence from his confessions and crime scenes has been pivotal in linking him to multiple unsolved cases across the region.
Sebastian Shaw is believed to have killed at least three people in Portland, Oregon, but he confessed to ten additional murders while in prison, raising speculation about the true extent of his crimes. He is also considered the prime suspect in the unsolved 1994 murder of 14-year-old Jenny Lin in Castro Valley, California. Some investigators and the public theorize that Shaw's criminal activities may have spanned beyond the confirmed cases, possibly linking him to other unsolved murders in the region.
The Dark Path of Sebastian Shaw: A True Crime Story
Introduction
Sebastian Alexander Shaw, born as Chau Quong Ho on November 28, 1967, in Phước Tuy Province, South Vietnam, carved a sinister path through life, becoming one of America's most notorious serial killers. His reign of terror spanned from 1991 to 1992, claiming at least three lives in Portland, Oregon. Shaw's chilling confessions hinted at the possibility of ten more victims, and he remains the prime suspect in the 1994 murder of 14-year-old Jenny Lin in Castro Valley, California. Shaw died on October 4, 2021, while serving three life sentences at the Oregon State Penitentiary.
Early Life
Chau Quong Ho immigrated to Oregon with his father, Van, during his childhood. Despite a promising start as an altar server at Saint Mary Catholic Church, Chau exhibited troubling behavior at school. In 1975, he and his father resided at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton before relocating to Port Arthur, Texas, courtesy of a sponsorship. By age 14, they settled in Woodburn, Oregon, where Chau attended high school and seemed to flourish. However, a dark cloud loomed over his adolescence; a failed suicide attempt via aspirin overdose marked a turning point.
In 1985, a violent altercation with his father led Chau to move to California, where he lived with his aunt and cousin. Briefly employed, he soon joined the Marine Corps and served in Okinawa, Japan. In 1990, Chau sought an honorable discharge and returned to Oregon, where he reinvented himself as Sebastian Alexander Shaw and found work as a security dispatcher for Paragon Cable.
The Murders
The Murder of Jay Rickbeil
On July 1, 1991, the body of Jay Andrew Rickbeil, a 40-year-old quadriplegic with cerebral palsy, was found in his Portland home by his roommate and apartment manager, Mac MacCartney. Rickbeil, a New Age enthusiast known for welcoming strangers to his home, had his throat slashed while he lay in bed. Neighbors revealed that Rickbeil often distributed his business card and even money, leading to frequent thefts of his belongings. Shaw, recently fired from Paragon Cable due to sexual assault allegations by a colleague named Shirley Phillips, randomly chose Rickbeil to vent his fury.
The Murders of Donna Ferguson and Todd Rudiger
On July 20, 1992, a gruesome discovery awaited the fathers of Todd A. Rudiger and his girlfriend, Donna G. Ferguson, at their trailer home in Portland. Both were found stabbed in the neck, having bled to death. Donna faced additional horrors, as she was bound and raped before her murder.
The Case of Jenny Lin
On May 27, 1994, John Lin returned to a nightmare at his home in Castro Valley, California. His 14-year-old daughter, Jenny, lay dead in the bathroom, stabbed multiple times. Curiously, there were no signs of a struggle, sexual assault, or theft. Jenny, a straight-A student and talented violinist, had no known enemies. Her friends last spoke to her around 5:15 p.m., when she assured them she was fine.
Investigators speculated that Jenny's killer was a man unknown to her, capable of overpowering her easily. A young man on a motorcycle seen distributing leaflets in the area became a person of interest. John Lin recounted a disturbing encounter with a disheveled man claiming to have "got his daughter" weeks before Jenny's murder. Though not a suspect, a sketch of the man was released to the public.
The Lin family founded "Friends of Jenny Lin," an organization dedicated to raising awareness about Jenny's case, supported by the executive director of the Adam Walsh Center and Polly Klaas's father. In October, a neighbor reported seeing a stocky man in a dark jacket and cap near the Lin residence at the time of the murder. This witness had hesitated to come forward, fearing retribution from the killer.
Arrest, Trial, and Imprisonment
On August 31, 1994, Sebastian Shaw was arrested for burglary after being found asleep in a stolen Pontiac Bonneville in San Ramon. Police discovered a "murder kit" inside the vehicle, containing a ski mask, surgical gloves, duct tape, knives, binoculars, and plastic handcuffs. Lacking murder evidence, Shaw was released. It wasn't until February 20, 1998, that he was arrested again, charged with the Rudiger/Ferguson murders and the 1995 rape of Amanda Carpova in Portland. His DNA, obtained from a discarded cigarette, linked him to the crime scenes.
Shaw pled guilty to the double murder and Carpova's sexual assault. In an unusual move, prosecutors had him acquitted of Rickbeil's murder before trial. Shaw received two life terms instead. In prison, Shaw confided to an inmate about killing 13 people, which investigators later confirmed with him. He promised to reveal more victims if transferred to a federal prison where smoking was allowed, as it was banned in Oregon.
Two years later, Shaw was convicted of Rickbeil's murder and given another life sentence. That same year, he was named the prime suspect in Jenny Lin's murder, though no charges followed due to insufficient evidence. Despite prosecutors' efforts to bring him to trial the next year, the charges were dropped, leaving Jenny's murder officially unsolved.
Death
Sebastian Shaw died in the Oregon State Penitentiary on October 4, 2021, at the age of 53, after serving 15 years of his sentence. The cause of death remains undisclosed.
Sources
For further reading, please refer to the following sources:
- Wikipedia on Sebastian Shaw
- Robert Scott's "Lust To Kill"
- Michael Newton's "The Encyclopedia of Unsolved Crimes"
- Articles from Statesman Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, The Press Democrat, and more.
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First Murder Committed
Sebastian Shaw murders Jay Rickbeil in Portland.
Couple Found Murdered
Todd Rudiger and Donna Ferguson are found murdered in their trailer.
Jenny Lin Murdered
14-year-old Jenny Lin is found murdered in Castro Valley, California.
First Arrest
Sebastian Shaw is arrested for burglary; a 'murder kit' is found.
Final Arrest
Shaw is arrested and charged with Rudiger/Ferguson murders.
Rickbeil Case Dismissed
Judge acquits Shaw of the Rickbeil murder before trial.
Suspected in Jenny Lin Case
Shaw is named prime suspect in Jenny Lin's murder.
Shaw Dies in Prison
Sebastian Shaw dies in prison at age 53.
Sebastian Alexander Shaw, a Vietnamese-born American, was a serial killer and rapist responsible for at least three confirmed murders in Portland, Oregon, between 1991 and 1992, with additional confessions to ten more killings during his incarceration. His first known victim, Jay Andrew Rickbeil, was found murdered in his home on July 1, 1991, with evidence suggesting a knife was used in the attack. Shaw was apprehended for the final time on February 20, 1998, and subsequently sentenced to three life terms without the possibility of parole. He was also a prime suspect in the 1994 murder of 14-year-old Jenny Lin in Castro Valley, California. Shaw died in prison on October 4, 2021, while serving his sentences at the Oregon State Penitentiary. Significant evidence from his confessions and crime scenes has been pivotal in linking him to multiple unsolved cases across the region.
Sebastian Shaw is believed to have killed at least three people in Portland, Oregon, but he confessed to ten additional murders while in prison, raising speculation about the true extent of his crimes. He is also considered the prime suspect in the unsolved 1994 murder of 14-year-old Jenny Lin in Castro Valley, California. Some investigators and the public theorize that Shaw's criminal activities may have spanned beyond the confirmed cases, possibly linking him to other unsolved murders in the region.
The Dark Path of Sebastian Shaw: A True Crime Story
Introduction
Sebastian Alexander Shaw, born as Chau Quong Ho on November 28, 1967, in Phước Tuy Province, South Vietnam, carved a sinister path through life, becoming one of America's most notorious serial killers. His reign of terror spanned from 1991 to 1992, claiming at least three lives in Portland, Oregon. Shaw's chilling confessions hinted at the possibility of ten more victims, and he remains the prime suspect in the 1994 murder of 14-year-old Jenny Lin in Castro Valley, California. Shaw died on October 4, 2021, while serving three life sentences at the Oregon State Penitentiary.
Early Life
Chau Quong Ho immigrated to Oregon with his father, Van, during his childhood. Despite a promising start as an altar server at Saint Mary Catholic Church, Chau exhibited troubling behavior at school. In 1975, he and his father resided at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton before relocating to Port Arthur, Texas, courtesy of a sponsorship. By age 14, they settled in Woodburn, Oregon, where Chau attended high school and seemed to flourish. However, a dark cloud loomed over his adolescence; a failed suicide attempt via aspirin overdose marked a turning point.
In 1985, a violent altercation with his father led Chau to move to California, where he lived with his aunt and cousin. Briefly employed, he soon joined the Marine Corps and served in Okinawa, Japan. In 1990, Chau sought an honorable discharge and returned to Oregon, where he reinvented himself as Sebastian Alexander Shaw and found work as a security dispatcher for Paragon Cable.
The Murders
The Murder of Jay Rickbeil
On July 1, 1991, the body of Jay Andrew Rickbeil, a 40-year-old quadriplegic with cerebral palsy, was found in his Portland home by his roommate and apartment manager, Mac MacCartney. Rickbeil, a New Age enthusiast known for welcoming strangers to his home, had his throat slashed while he lay in bed. Neighbors revealed that Rickbeil often distributed his business card and even money, leading to frequent thefts of his belongings. Shaw, recently fired from Paragon Cable due to sexual assault allegations by a colleague named Shirley Phillips, randomly chose Rickbeil to vent his fury.
The Murders of Donna Ferguson and Todd Rudiger
On July 20, 1992, a gruesome discovery awaited the fathers of Todd A. Rudiger and his girlfriend, Donna G. Ferguson, at their trailer home in Portland. Both were found stabbed in the neck, having bled to death. Donna faced additional horrors, as she was bound and raped before her murder.
The Case of Jenny Lin
On May 27, 1994, John Lin returned to a nightmare at his home in Castro Valley, California. His 14-year-old daughter, Jenny, lay dead in the bathroom, stabbed multiple times. Curiously, there were no signs of a struggle, sexual assault, or theft. Jenny, a straight-A student and talented violinist, had no known enemies. Her friends last spoke to her around 5:15 p.m., when she assured them she was fine.
Investigators speculated that Jenny's killer was a man unknown to her, capable of overpowering her easily. A young man on a motorcycle seen distributing leaflets in the area became a person of interest. John Lin recounted a disturbing encounter with a disheveled man claiming to have "got his daughter" weeks before Jenny's murder. Though not a suspect, a sketch of the man was released to the public.
The Lin family founded "Friends of Jenny Lin," an organization dedicated to raising awareness about Jenny's case, supported by the executive director of the Adam Walsh Center and Polly Klaas's father. In October, a neighbor reported seeing a stocky man in a dark jacket and cap near the Lin residence at the time of the murder. This witness had hesitated to come forward, fearing retribution from the killer.
Arrest, Trial, and Imprisonment
On August 31, 1994, Sebastian Shaw was arrested for burglary after being found asleep in a stolen Pontiac Bonneville in San Ramon. Police discovered a "murder kit" inside the vehicle, containing a ski mask, surgical gloves, duct tape, knives, binoculars, and plastic handcuffs. Lacking murder evidence, Shaw was released. It wasn't until February 20, 1998, that he was arrested again, charged with the Rudiger/Ferguson murders and the 1995 rape of Amanda Carpova in Portland. His DNA, obtained from a discarded cigarette, linked him to the crime scenes.
Shaw pled guilty to the double murder and Carpova's sexual assault. In an unusual move, prosecutors had him acquitted of Rickbeil's murder before trial. Shaw received two life terms instead. In prison, Shaw confided to an inmate about killing 13 people, which investigators later confirmed with him. He promised to reveal more victims if transferred to a federal prison where smoking was allowed, as it was banned in Oregon.
Two years later, Shaw was convicted of Rickbeil's murder and given another life sentence. That same year, he was named the prime suspect in Jenny Lin's murder, though no charges followed due to insufficient evidence. Despite prosecutors' efforts to bring him to trial the next year, the charges were dropped, leaving Jenny's murder officially unsolved.
Death
Sebastian Shaw died in the Oregon State Penitentiary on October 4, 2021, at the age of 53, after serving 15 years of his sentence. The cause of death remains undisclosed.
Sources
For further reading, please refer to the following sources:
- Wikipedia on Sebastian Shaw
- Robert Scott's "Lust To Kill"
- Michael Newton's "The Encyclopedia of Unsolved Crimes"
- Articles from Statesman Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, The Press Democrat, and more.
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
Sebastian Shaw murders Jay Rickbeil in Portland.
Couple Found Murdered
Todd Rudiger and Donna Ferguson are found murdered in their trailer.
Jenny Lin Murdered
14-year-old Jenny Lin is found murdered in Castro Valley, California.
First Arrest
Sebastian Shaw is arrested for burglary; a 'murder kit' is found.
Final Arrest
Shaw is arrested and charged with Rudiger/Ferguson murders.
Rickbeil Case Dismissed
Judge acquits Shaw of the Rickbeil murder before trial.
Suspected in Jenny Lin Case
Shaw is named prime suspect in Jenny Lin's murder.
Shaw Dies in Prison
Sebastian Shaw dies in prison at age 53.