Terry Childs (Serial Killer)
Serial Killer Investigation
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
California, United States
TIME PERIOD
1979-1985
VICTIMS
5 confirmed
On August 22, 1985, Terry Childs, a 29-year-old known for his criminal history, was arrested alongside his girlfriend for possession of a 10-inch artillery mortar simulator, shortly after becoming a prime suspect in the murder of 17-year-old Lois 'Jeanine' Sigala in Scotts Valley, California. Sigala's body was discovered on August 10, 1985, with an autopsy revealing she had been shot 15 times with a 9mm Luger, a weapon linked to Childs through witness testimony and ballistic evidence. Childs was ultimately convicted of five murders committed across Nevada and California between 1979 and 1985, with claims of a higher victim count. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole and remained incarcerated at Salinas Valley State Prison until his death on February 11, 2023. The case remains significant due to the chilling nature of the crimes and Childs' erratic confessions regarding his victim count.
Some believe that Terry Childs may have had more victims than the five he was convicted of, with Childs himself claiming to have killed twelve individuals. There is speculation that his mental health issues and substance abuse contributed to his violent behavior. Additionally, some theorize that his confessions were influenced by psychological pressure, possibly linked to hallucinations of his victims.
The Sinister Tale of Terry Childs: The Serial Killer of the Golden State
In the shadowy world of America’s most notorious criminals, Terry Childs carved a grim legacy. Born on September 22, 1955, in Santa Clara County, California, Childs would become a chilling figure in the annals of crime. His journey from a troubled youth to a convicted serial killer sentenced to life imprisonment for five brutal murders, spanning from 1979 to 1985 across Nevada and California, is a story rife with horror and intrigue. Though the full extent of his crimes remains uncertain, Childs claimed to have ended the lives of twelve souls, haunted by the specters of his victims.
The Making of a Monster
Terry Childs was born into a large family, one of seven children, in the serene locale of Aptos, California. His father, Gary, worked as a bail bondsman, a profession that perhaps foreshadowed the tumultuous path his son would take. During his teenage years, Childs began experimenting with drugs and alcohol, a destructive habit that would lead to his first arrest for robbery in the early 1970s. This marked the beginning of a downward spiral into petty crime and frequent incarcerations, often receiving lenient sentences. His family, too, was no stranger to brushes with the law, as several of his brothers engaged in similar criminal activities. By 1985, Childs was known in his community as a jobless drug addict, displaying ominous signs of mental instability.
The Murder of Lois Sigala
A turning point came on August 22, 1985, when a 29-year-old Childs and his girlfriend were apprehended in possession of a 10-inch artillery mortar simulator. Their bail set at a hefty $250,000, they awaited trial while becoming prime suspects in the murder of 17-year-old Lois "Jeanine" Sigala. Her lifeless body had been discovered twelve days earlier in Scotts Valley, with an autopsy revealing she had been deceased for approximately five days, having suffered fifteen 9mm Luger gunshot wounds.
Investigators uncovered a crucial witness who reported seeing Sigala enter a Ford Mustang, similar to the one Childs drove. Another acquaintance, John, confessed to having sold a Luger to Childs before the murder. He directed police to a site where Childs had allegedly fired rounds, leading to the discovery of shell casings linked to the murder weapon through ballistic tests. Despite the weapon remaining elusive during searches, Childs faced charges on September 10, primarily based on circumstantial evidence.
In a tense interrogation, Childs' girlfriend, initially reluctant due to threats to her family, revealed chilling details. She described Sigala as a runaway, known to them as "Jeanine," who had stayed in their Capitola apartment for months. Childs, suspecting her of being an informant, plotted her murder. He lured Sigala into his car, drove her and his girlfriend to Scotts Valley's outskirts, and shot Sigala before ordering his girlfriend to cover any traceable evidence. The investigation culminated in March 1986, leading to court proceedings.
By April 1986, Childs’ girlfriend received a plea deal, reducing her charges and sentencing her to five years in a women’s correctional facility. Childs' trial commenced on January 15, 1987, with the prosecution painting him as a sadistic killer who relished his victim's suffering. A forensic expert testified that Sigala was conscious and attempting to escape when Childs delivered a fatal shot to her head.
Key testimony came from Childs’ girlfriend, who recounted the harrowing events. John, implicated in a prior robbery, refused to testify, but his father confirmed selling the pistol to Childs. Ballistic experts matched the bullets from Sigala's body to cartridges linked to Childs. Despite Childs’ claims of innocence and mental illness, supported by neurologist Dr. David Gorelick citing paranoid schizophrenia from drug abuse, the jury found him guilty on February 4, 1987. He received a life sentence with parole eligibility after 41 years.
A Grim Catalogue of Confessions
After his conviction, Childs transferred to Corcoran State Prison, where a 1996 assault on another inmate led to his relocation to the supermax Pelican Bay State Prison. Facing isolation, Childs reached out to the Santa Cruz Attorney’s Office, offering confessions to eleven murders in exchange for avoiding capital charges and seeking transfer to an out-of-state facility. His confessions, spanning locations like Santa Cruz County, Santa Clara County, Tracy, Seattle, and Sparks, Nevada, included the 1979 murder of 32-year-old Rulan McGill, for which he was extradited, tried, and sentenced to another life term.
In 2007, Childs confessed to the 1979 murder of 19-year-old Linda Ann Jozovich, kidnapped from Mervyn’s Department Store parking lot and later found in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Haunted by her ghost, Childs sought forgiveness from her family, leading to another life sentence in 2008.
By 2016, Childs admitted to additional murders, including Joan Leslie Mack and Christopher Hall in Aptos, and even his father's fiancée, Penny Rickenbaker, in a supposed 1974 suicide. Despite his confessions, some claims lacked sufficient evidence for further investigation. Nevertheless, Childs accepted responsibility for Mack and Hall’s murders, earning two more life terms.
The End of the Road
Terry Childs’ life of crime concluded on February 11, 2023, when he passed away at Salinas Valley State Prison. His story, a haunting testament to the depths of human depravity, leaves behind a trail of sorrow and questions, forever etched in the annals of American true crime.
Sources
- York, Jessica A. "Aptos serial killer Terry Childs convicted of two new murders from 1980s." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Skipitares, Connie. "Killer admits to '79 slaying of Cupertino woman." The Mercury News.
- Gammon, Robert. "Killer claims 11 more victims." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- "No charge for murder suspect." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- McNicholas, John. "Still no charges in killing." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Miller, Donald. "Witness describes girl's murder." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Bergstrom, Mark. "Murder trial witness is arrested by police." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Bergstrom, Mark. "Trial gets underway in murder." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Bergstrom, Mark. "Torture killing alleged." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Bergstrom, Mark. "Prosecution rests in Childs case." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- "Cocaine an issue in murder trial." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Bergstrom, Mark. "Deliberations expected today in torture-shooting murder." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Bergstrom, Mark. "Jury returns conviction in girl's torture-slaying." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Gammon, Robert. "Killer claims 11 more victims." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- "Inmate to Undergo Tests On Claim of 12 Killings." The New York Times.
- "SV teen's murderer gets life." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Barber, Phil. "Rulan could forgive; mother will not." Reno Gazette-Journal.
- "Convicted killer indicted in Winnemucca teacher's death." Las Vegas Sun.
- "Authorities: California Inmate confesses to 1979 slaying of Cupertino woman." Nevada Appeal.
- "Serial killer admits slaying two in Aptos and Santa Cruz, authorities say." KION-TV.
- "Aptos Woman Dies From Gun Wound." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
For more details, visit the Wikipedia article.
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First Known Murder
Terry Childs allegedly commits his first murder, Rulan McGill, in Sparks, Nevada.
Arrest for Sigala's Murder
Terry Childs and his girlfriend are arrested for possession of a mortar simulator and become prime suspects in the murder of Lois Sigala.
Investigation Completed
The preliminary investigation into the murder of Lois Sigala is completed, and the case is sent to court.
Trial Begins
Terry Childs' trial for the murder of Lois Sigala begins, with the prosecution presenting evidence of extreme cruelty.
Conviction
Terry Childs is found guilty of the murder of Lois Sigala and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Confession of 11 Murders
Terry Childs contacts authorities, confessing to 11 murders in exchange for not facing capital murder charges.
Confession of Jozovich's Murder
Childs confesses to the murder of Linda Ann Jozovich, leading to his conviction for the crime.
Confession of Two More Murders
Childs confesses to the murders of Joan Leslie Mack and Christopher Hall, leading to additional life sentences.
Death in Prison
Terry Childs dies while incarcerated at Salinas Valley State Prison.
On August 22, 1985, Terry Childs, a 29-year-old known for his criminal history, was arrested alongside his girlfriend for possession of a 10-inch artillery mortar simulator, shortly after becoming a prime suspect in the murder of 17-year-old Lois 'Jeanine' Sigala in Scotts Valley, California. Sigala's body was discovered on August 10, 1985, with an autopsy revealing she had been shot 15 times with a 9mm Luger, a weapon linked to Childs through witness testimony and ballistic evidence. Childs was ultimately convicted of five murders committed across Nevada and California between 1979 and 1985, with claims of a higher victim count. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole and remained incarcerated at Salinas Valley State Prison until his death on February 11, 2023. The case remains significant due to the chilling nature of the crimes and Childs' erratic confessions regarding his victim count.
Some believe that Terry Childs may have had more victims than the five he was convicted of, with Childs himself claiming to have killed twelve individuals. There is speculation that his mental health issues and substance abuse contributed to his violent behavior. Additionally, some theorize that his confessions were influenced by psychological pressure, possibly linked to hallucinations of his victims.
The Sinister Tale of Terry Childs: The Serial Killer of the Golden State
In the shadowy world of America’s most notorious criminals, Terry Childs carved a grim legacy. Born on September 22, 1955, in Santa Clara County, California, Childs would become a chilling figure in the annals of crime. His journey from a troubled youth to a convicted serial killer sentenced to life imprisonment for five brutal murders, spanning from 1979 to 1985 across Nevada and California, is a story rife with horror and intrigue. Though the full extent of his crimes remains uncertain, Childs claimed to have ended the lives of twelve souls, haunted by the specters of his victims.
The Making of a Monster
Terry Childs was born into a large family, one of seven children, in the serene locale of Aptos, California. His father, Gary, worked as a bail bondsman, a profession that perhaps foreshadowed the tumultuous path his son would take. During his teenage years, Childs began experimenting with drugs and alcohol, a destructive habit that would lead to his first arrest for robbery in the early 1970s. This marked the beginning of a downward spiral into petty crime and frequent incarcerations, often receiving lenient sentences. His family, too, was no stranger to brushes with the law, as several of his brothers engaged in similar criminal activities. By 1985, Childs was known in his community as a jobless drug addict, displaying ominous signs of mental instability.
The Murder of Lois Sigala
A turning point came on August 22, 1985, when a 29-year-old Childs and his girlfriend were apprehended in possession of a 10-inch artillery mortar simulator. Their bail set at a hefty $250,000, they awaited trial while becoming prime suspects in the murder of 17-year-old Lois "Jeanine" Sigala. Her lifeless body had been discovered twelve days earlier in Scotts Valley, with an autopsy revealing she had been deceased for approximately five days, having suffered fifteen 9mm Luger gunshot wounds.
Investigators uncovered a crucial witness who reported seeing Sigala enter a Ford Mustang, similar to the one Childs drove. Another acquaintance, John, confessed to having sold a Luger to Childs before the murder. He directed police to a site where Childs had allegedly fired rounds, leading to the discovery of shell casings linked to the murder weapon through ballistic tests. Despite the weapon remaining elusive during searches, Childs faced charges on September 10, primarily based on circumstantial evidence.
In a tense interrogation, Childs' girlfriend, initially reluctant due to threats to her family, revealed chilling details. She described Sigala as a runaway, known to them as "Jeanine," who had stayed in their Capitola apartment for months. Childs, suspecting her of being an informant, plotted her murder. He lured Sigala into his car, drove her and his girlfriend to Scotts Valley's outskirts, and shot Sigala before ordering his girlfriend to cover any traceable evidence. The investigation culminated in March 1986, leading to court proceedings.
By April 1986, Childs’ girlfriend received a plea deal, reducing her charges and sentencing her to five years in a women’s correctional facility. Childs' trial commenced on January 15, 1987, with the prosecution painting him as a sadistic killer who relished his victim's suffering. A forensic expert testified that Sigala was conscious and attempting to escape when Childs delivered a fatal shot to her head.
Key testimony came from Childs’ girlfriend, who recounted the harrowing events. John, implicated in a prior robbery, refused to testify, but his father confirmed selling the pistol to Childs. Ballistic experts matched the bullets from Sigala's body to cartridges linked to Childs. Despite Childs’ claims of innocence and mental illness, supported by neurologist Dr. David Gorelick citing paranoid schizophrenia from drug abuse, the jury found him guilty on February 4, 1987. He received a life sentence with parole eligibility after 41 years.
A Grim Catalogue of Confessions
After his conviction, Childs transferred to Corcoran State Prison, where a 1996 assault on another inmate led to his relocation to the supermax Pelican Bay State Prison. Facing isolation, Childs reached out to the Santa Cruz Attorney’s Office, offering confessions to eleven murders in exchange for avoiding capital charges and seeking transfer to an out-of-state facility. His confessions, spanning locations like Santa Cruz County, Santa Clara County, Tracy, Seattle, and Sparks, Nevada, included the 1979 murder of 32-year-old Rulan McGill, for which he was extradited, tried, and sentenced to another life term.
In 2007, Childs confessed to the 1979 murder of 19-year-old Linda Ann Jozovich, kidnapped from Mervyn’s Department Store parking lot and later found in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Haunted by her ghost, Childs sought forgiveness from her family, leading to another life sentence in 2008.
By 2016, Childs admitted to additional murders, including Joan Leslie Mack and Christopher Hall in Aptos, and even his father's fiancée, Penny Rickenbaker, in a supposed 1974 suicide. Despite his confessions, some claims lacked sufficient evidence for further investigation. Nevertheless, Childs accepted responsibility for Mack and Hall’s murders, earning two more life terms.
The End of the Road
Terry Childs’ life of crime concluded on February 11, 2023, when he passed away at Salinas Valley State Prison. His story, a haunting testament to the depths of human depravity, leaves behind a trail of sorrow and questions, forever etched in the annals of American true crime.
Sources
- York, Jessica A. "Aptos serial killer Terry Childs convicted of two new murders from 1980s." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Skipitares, Connie. "Killer admits to '79 slaying of Cupertino woman." The Mercury News.
- Gammon, Robert. "Killer claims 11 more victims." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- "No charge for murder suspect." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- McNicholas, John. "Still no charges in killing." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Miller, Donald. "Witness describes girl's murder." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Bergstrom, Mark. "Murder trial witness is arrested by police." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Bergstrom, Mark. "Trial gets underway in murder." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Bergstrom, Mark. "Torture killing alleged." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Bergstrom, Mark. "Prosecution rests in Childs case." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- "Cocaine an issue in murder trial." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Bergstrom, Mark. "Deliberations expected today in torture-shooting murder." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Bergstrom, Mark. "Jury returns conviction in girl's torture-slaying." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Gammon, Robert. "Killer claims 11 more victims." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- "Inmate to Undergo Tests On Claim of 12 Killings." The New York Times.
- "SV teen's murderer gets life." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Barber, Phil. "Rulan could forgive; mother will not." Reno Gazette-Journal.
- "Convicted killer indicted in Winnemucca teacher's death." Las Vegas Sun.
- "Authorities: California Inmate confesses to 1979 slaying of Cupertino woman." Nevada Appeal.
- "Serial killer admits slaying two in Aptos and Santa Cruz, authorities say." KION-TV.
- "Aptos Woman Dies From Gun Wound." Santa Cruz Sentinel.
For more details, visit the 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
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First Known Murder
Terry Childs allegedly commits his first murder, Rulan McGill, in Sparks, Nevada.
Arrest for Sigala's Murder
Terry Childs and his girlfriend are arrested for possession of a mortar simulator and become prime suspects in the murder of Lois Sigala.
Investigation Completed
The preliminary investigation into the murder of Lois Sigala is completed, and the case is sent to court.
Trial Begins
Terry Childs' trial for the murder of Lois Sigala begins, with the prosecution presenting evidence of extreme cruelty.
Conviction
Terry Childs is found guilty of the murder of Lois Sigala and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Confession of 11 Murders
Terry Childs contacts authorities, confessing to 11 murders in exchange for not facing capital murder charges.
Confession of Jozovich's Murder
Childs confesses to the murder of Linda Ann Jozovich, leading to his conviction for the crime.
Confession of Two More Murders
Childs confesses to the murders of Joan Leslie Mack and Christopher Hall, leading to additional life sentences.
Death in Prison
Terry Childs dies while incarcerated at Salinas Valley State Prison.