Steven Washington
Elderly Women Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
St. Petersburg, Florida
TIME PERIOD
August – December 1963
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Steven Washington Jr. was convicted of murdering three elderly women in St. Petersburg, Florida, between August and December 1963, when he was just 15 years old. Known as the Window-Screen Rapist, he was apprehended on January 3, 1964, and sentenced to life in prison, where he remained until his death on March 18, 2004. The case is considered solved, with Washington's crimes documented and prosecuted.
Theories surrounding Steven Washington's actions suggest that his early marriage at a young age and potential psychological factors may have influenced his violent behavior. Additionally, the description provided by victims has led to speculation about his physical demeanor during the attacks, which some community analysts believe could indicate a pattern of behavior linked to his past experiences. The fact that he initially chose not to kill two victims raises questions about his motivations and psychological state during the crimes.
Steven Washington
Overview
Steven Washington Jr. (July 27, 1948 – March 18, 2004) was an American serial killer infamous for the brutal murders of three elderly women in St. Petersburg, Florida. Known in the media as the "Window-Screen Rapist," Washington's heinous acts occurred between August and December 1963 when he was merely 15 years old, making him one of the youngest serial killers in recorded history. His life ended behind bars in 2004.
Quick Facts
- Born: July 27, 1948, St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
- Died: March 18, 2004, Florida, U.S.
- Other Names: Window-Screen Rapist
- Conviction: Murder
- Criminal Penalty: Life imprisonment
- Victims: 3
- Span of Crimes: August – December 1963
- Country: United States
- State: Florida
- Date Apprehended: January 3, 1964
Biography
Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, Steven Washington Jr. had a childhood that remains largely undocumented. However, by October 1963, he had entered into a marriage with a 15-year-old girl named Gwendolyn, a union that was made possible due to Florida's lenient child marriage laws at the time. The couple welcomed a daughter shortly after their marriage, but Washington's path would take a dark turn shortly thereafter.
The Murders
Washington’s reign of terror began in August 1963, and the details of his crimes paint a chilling picture of a disturbed young man.
August 28, 1963: Washington committed his first known attack, targeting a 52-year-old woman during a home invasion. In a brutal assault, he choked and sexually assaulted her but ultimately chose not to kill her. This initial attack set a horrific precedent for what was to come.
September 3, 1963: Just six days later, Washington struck again, this time breaking into the home of a 72-year-old woman. As with his first victim, he raped and beat her but left her alive. Both women reported their attacks to the police, one providing a harrowing description of her attacker—a young black man with a sinister grin.
September 25, 1963: The violence escalated when Washington invaded the home of 75-year-old Mary Pawliw, an Austria native. He climbed through an open window and subjected her to a horrific assault, ultimately choking and strangling her to death. The brutality was such that a bone in her neck was broken. Concerned neighbors called the police the following day when Pawliw was unresponsive, leading to the grim discovery of her decomposed body.
October 20, 1963: Washington continued his spree by strangling 67-year-old Oleeta Lavina Beard McWaters. Her body was discovered the next day, and although it was confirmed she had been strangled, the state of decomposition prevented authorities from determining whether she had been raped.
December 30, 1963: In his final known attack, Washington entered the home of 80-year-old Eva Miller. As with previous victims, he raped, beat, and strangled her. Neighbors reported hearing her cries, leading to the discovery of her body the following day. By this point, law enforcement was piecing together the connections between the attacks, and the media dubbed him the "window-screen rapist/murderer."
Aftermath
At each of the crime scenes, Washington left behind critical evidence in the form of fingerprints, particularly on the windows he had climbed through to gain entry. This evidence proved pivotal in his apprehension. He was arrested on January 3, 1964, and charged with the murders.
Following his arrest, Washington confessed to the killings but claimed he was suffering from insanity at the time. In November 1964, he pleaded guilty to the murders and was sentenced to serve three consecutive life sentences. However, his attempts to overturn his convictions were met with failure; a retrial was denied in 1969, and a subsequent appeal to the federal court in 1970 was also dismissed.
Tragically, Steven Washington passed away in prison on March 18, 2004, at the age of 55, leaving behind a legacy marked by violence and tragedy.
Sources
- "Inmate Release Information". Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- "Boy, 15, Admits 3 Rapes". Associated Press. January 5, 1964. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- David Rosenbaum (August 4, 1964). "Washington Case Opens; Delayed Week". Tampa Bay Times, p. 9. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- "Examiner Says Elderly Widow Was Strangled". Tampa Bay Times. September 28, 1963. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- Ben Garrett (January 4, 1964). "St. Pete Police Arrest Negro, 15, In Rape Slayings". The Tampa Tribune, p. 5. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- "4 Women Attacked Since Late August". Tampa Bay Times. October 22, 1963. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- Nash Stublen (January 1, 1964). "Elderly St. Pete Woman Attacked, Slain in Home". The Tampa Tribune, p. 3. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- Ben Garrett (January 4, 1964). "St. Pete Police Arrest Negro, 15, In Rape Slayings". The Tampa Tribune, p. 1. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- "Accused Slayer Pleads Insanity". Associated Press. January 24, 1969. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- "Killer's Attack On Convictions Again Denied". The Tampa Tribune. January 14, 1970. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
For more information, you can visit the Wikipedia page.
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First Attack
Washington attacks a 52-year-old woman during a home invasion but does not kill her.
Third Victim Killed
Washington strangles 75-year-old Mary Pawliw to death in her home.
Second Murder
Washington strangles 67-year-old Oleeta Lavina Beard McWaters; her body is discovered the next day.
Final Murder
Washington rapes and strangles 80-year-old Eva Miller; police connect the attacks.
Arrest Made
Washington is arrested after leaving fingerprints at the crime scenes.
Guilty Plea
Washington pleads guilty to the murders, claiming insanity.
Sentenced
Washington is sentenced to three life sentences for the murders.
Death in Prison
Steven Washington dies in prison at the age of 55.
Steven Washington Jr. was convicted of murdering three elderly women in St. Petersburg, Florida, between August and December 1963, when he was just 15 years old. Known as the Window-Screen Rapist, he was apprehended on January 3, 1964, and sentenced to life in prison, where he remained until his death on March 18, 2004. The case is considered solved, with Washington's crimes documented and prosecuted.
Theories surrounding Steven Washington's actions suggest that his early marriage at a young age and potential psychological factors may have influenced his violent behavior. Additionally, the description provided by victims has led to speculation about his physical demeanor during the attacks, which some community analysts believe could indicate a pattern of behavior linked to his past experiences. The fact that he initially chose not to kill two victims raises questions about his motivations and psychological state during the crimes.
Steven Washington
Overview
Steven Washington Jr. (July 27, 1948 – March 18, 2004) was an American serial killer infamous for the brutal murders of three elderly women in St. Petersburg, Florida. Known in the media as the "Window-Screen Rapist," Washington's heinous acts occurred between August and December 1963 when he was merely 15 years old, making him one of the youngest serial killers in recorded history. His life ended behind bars in 2004.
Quick Facts
- Born: July 27, 1948, St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
- Died: March 18, 2004, Florida, U.S.
- Other Names: Window-Screen Rapist
- Conviction: Murder
- Criminal Penalty: Life imprisonment
- Victims: 3
- Span of Crimes: August – December 1963
- Country: United States
- State: Florida
- Date Apprehended: January 3, 1964
Biography
Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, Steven Washington Jr. had a childhood that remains largely undocumented. However, by October 1963, he had entered into a marriage with a 15-year-old girl named Gwendolyn, a union that was made possible due to Florida's lenient child marriage laws at the time. The couple welcomed a daughter shortly after their marriage, but Washington's path would take a dark turn shortly thereafter.
The Murders
Washington’s reign of terror began in August 1963, and the details of his crimes paint a chilling picture of a disturbed young man.
August 28, 1963: Washington committed his first known attack, targeting a 52-year-old woman during a home invasion. In a brutal assault, he choked and sexually assaulted her but ultimately chose not to kill her. This initial attack set a horrific precedent for what was to come.
September 3, 1963: Just six days later, Washington struck again, this time breaking into the home of a 72-year-old woman. As with his first victim, he raped and beat her but left her alive. Both women reported their attacks to the police, one providing a harrowing description of her attacker—a young black man with a sinister grin.
September 25, 1963: The violence escalated when Washington invaded the home of 75-year-old Mary Pawliw, an Austria native. He climbed through an open window and subjected her to a horrific assault, ultimately choking and strangling her to death. The brutality was such that a bone in her neck was broken. Concerned neighbors called the police the following day when Pawliw was unresponsive, leading to the grim discovery of her decomposed body.
October 20, 1963: Washington continued his spree by strangling 67-year-old Oleeta Lavina Beard McWaters. Her body was discovered the next day, and although it was confirmed she had been strangled, the state of decomposition prevented authorities from determining whether she had been raped.
December 30, 1963: In his final known attack, Washington entered the home of 80-year-old Eva Miller. As with previous victims, he raped, beat, and strangled her. Neighbors reported hearing her cries, leading to the discovery of her body the following day. By this point, law enforcement was piecing together the connections between the attacks, and the media dubbed him the "window-screen rapist/murderer."
Aftermath
At each of the crime scenes, Washington left behind critical evidence in the form of fingerprints, particularly on the windows he had climbed through to gain entry. This evidence proved pivotal in his apprehension. He was arrested on January 3, 1964, and charged with the murders.
Following his arrest, Washington confessed to the killings but claimed he was suffering from insanity at the time. In November 1964, he pleaded guilty to the murders and was sentenced to serve three consecutive life sentences. However, his attempts to overturn his convictions were met with failure; a retrial was denied in 1969, and a subsequent appeal to the federal court in 1970 was also dismissed.
Tragically, Steven Washington passed away in prison on March 18, 2004, at the age of 55, leaving behind a legacy marked by violence and tragedy.
Sources
- "Inmate Release Information". Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- "Boy, 15, Admits 3 Rapes". Associated Press. January 5, 1964. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- David Rosenbaum (August 4, 1964). "Washington Case Opens; Delayed Week". Tampa Bay Times, p. 9. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- "Examiner Says Elderly Widow Was Strangled". Tampa Bay Times. September 28, 1963. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- Ben Garrett (January 4, 1964). "St. Pete Police Arrest Negro, 15, In Rape Slayings". The Tampa Tribune, p. 5. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- "4 Women Attacked Since Late August". Tampa Bay Times. October 22, 1963. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- Nash Stublen (January 1, 1964). "Elderly St. Pete Woman Attacked, Slain in Home". The Tampa Tribune, p. 3. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- Ben Garrett (January 4, 1964). "St. Pete Police Arrest Negro, 15, In Rape Slayings". The Tampa Tribune, p. 1. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- "Accused Slayer Pleads Insanity". Associated Press. January 24, 1969. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- "Killer's Attack On Convictions Again Denied". The Tampa Tribune. January 14, 1970. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
For more information, you can visit the Wikipedia page.
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
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First Attack
Washington attacks a 52-year-old woman during a home invasion but does not kill her.
Third Victim Killed
Washington strangles 75-year-old Mary Pawliw to death in her home.
Second Murder
Washington strangles 67-year-old Oleeta Lavina Beard McWaters; her body is discovered the next day.
Final Murder
Washington rapes and strangles 80-year-old Eva Miller; police connect the attacks.
Arrest Made
Washington is arrested after leaving fingerprints at the crime scenes.
Guilty Plea
Washington pleads guilty to the murders, claiming insanity.
Sentenced
Washington is sentenced to three life sentences for the murders.
Death in Prison
Steven Washington dies in prison at the age of 55.