Thomas Maupin
Serial Killer and Rapist
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Spokane, Washington
TIME PERIOD
1988-2001
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
The case involves the abduction and murder of 6-year-old Tricna Cloy in Spokane, Washington, on January 25, 1988, after Thomas Maupin attended a house party where Cloy was present. Following her disappearance, a large-scale manhunt was initiated, leading to Maupin's arrest in Alabama on February 18, 1988, while he was in possession of a stolen vehicle. Maupin, a known itinerant criminal with a history of violent offenses, was later linked to cold case murders in Tennessee and ultimately pleaded guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter, receiving a 12-year sentence. Significant evidence included witness testimonies and Maupin's prior criminal history, which established a pattern of violent behavior. He is currently incarcerated at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center in Hartsville, Tennessee.
Thomas Maupin is believed to have a history of violent behavior that escalated to the abduction and murder of a 6-year-old girl, with some speculating that his criminal activities may extend beyond the confirmed cases. Investigators theorize that he could be linked to additional unsolved murders, particularly in Tennessee, where he is connected to the cold case of two women. There are concerns that his pattern of crime indicates a potential for further violent acts, raising questions about the extent of his criminal network and motivations.
The Unraveling Crimes of Thomas Maupin
Early Life and Criminal Beginnings
Thomas Edward Maupin was born on October 9, 1949, in Louisiana. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to Ohio, where Maupin was raised. Details of his early life are sparse, but his criminal activities began at a young age and spanned various states. Maupin's criminal record included thefts, robberies, sexual assaults, and child molestation. Before settling in Spokane, Washington, he had made three successful escapes from custody and was twice labeled a fugitive by federal authorities, though the specific charges remain unclear.
The Disappearance of Tricna Cloy
The chilling events of January 25, 1988, unfolded at a house party in Spokane, where Maupin encountered Tina Fraijo and her two children. After the party, Maupin escorted Fraijo and her children home. The next morning, Fraijo awoke to a parent's worst nightmare: her six-year-old daughter, Tricna Cloy, was missing. Suspicion fell on Maupin, prompting Fraijo to contact the authorities immediately.
A large-scale manhunt ensued, with local volunteers scouring the Minnehaha mountain range. They discovered a makeshift campsite believed to have been used by Maupin. Meanwhile, Maupin faced charges for an unrelated incident of fondling an underage girl on November 30.
Despite the efforts, months passed without finding Cloy. Maupin's arrest on February 18 in Alabama, while driving a stolen car, temporarily brought him back to Spokane. Though acquitted of molestation charges in April, his insistence on innocence in Cloy's disappearance forced authorities to release him.
Tragedy struck on June 9 when children playing in an eastern Spokane gravel pit discovered a skull and clumps of hair. The remains were soon identified through dental records and clothing as belonging to Tricna Cloy. With this heartbreaking confirmation, detectives were keen to charge Maupin with murder but needed more evidence to solidify their case.
Arrest and Trials
Maupin's capture came on January 11, 1989, after he unwittingly revealed his location by requesting a tax form to be sent to an Akron, Ohio address shared with his ex-wife. Authorities tracked him, leading to his arrest for Cloy's murder.
In 1990, Maupin was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to 40 years. However, the Washington Court of Appeals overturned the verdict due to jury specification issues. A second trial in May 1992 ended similarly, but was again overturned in 1996 because a defense witness was unlawfully barred from testifying.
July 1997 marked the start of Maupin's third trial, where a shocking revelation by Cloy's younger brother, Elston, who admitted to perjury in previous trials, cast doubt on the prosecution's case. To avoid a possible acquittal, prosecutors offered Maupin a plea deal: plead guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for a 12-year sentence. Maupin, maintaining his innocence, accepted the deal. With time served and good behavior, he was released two weeks post-sentencing in mid-September 1997.
New Crimes and Forensic Breakthrough
In August 2001, Maupin, now in Memphis, Tennessee, accosted a 31-year-old woman in an industrial area, forcing her into a traumatic ordeal at knifepoint before fleeing and leaving behind a crucial piece of evidence—his dentures, inscribed with his name. Unfortunately, these dentures were overlooked for years, stashed in an untested rape kit.
That October, Maupin's violence escalated. In the Frayser neighborhood, he frequented Harpo's bar and met 46-year-old Nancy Carol Alvis. Their encounter ended in her strangulation and her body discarded in a weeded area. On October 20, Maupin repeated this horror with 37-year-old Patricia Cook Thornton, stabbing her and leaving her body near Alvis's. Despite the quick discovery of the decomposing bodies, insufficient evidence left Maupin uncharged.
Identification and Final Arrest
A pivotal moment arrived in 2013 when Memphis's mayor, A C Wharton, launched a project to address the city's backlog of untested rape kits. This endeavor, costing $6.5 million, included the kit containing Maupin's dentures. In 2017, forensic analysis finally linked the dentures to Maupin, resulting in his arrest and subsequent guilty plea to rape, earning him an 8-year sentence at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center in Hartsville.
Maupin's connection to Alvis and Thornton's murders emerged three years later, leading to indictments in these cases. In April 2021, Maupin accepted another plea deal, admitting guilt to two counts of voluntary manslaughter for a concurrent 12-year sentence with his current term. As of December 2022, Maupin remains incarcerated, with parole eligibility anticipated in 2023.
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Tricna Cloy Goes Missing
6-year-old Tricna Cloy disappears after a party attended by Thomas Maupin.
Cloy's Remains Found
Human remains identified as Tricna Cloy are discovered.
Maupin Arrested
Thomas Maupin is arrested and charged with the murder of Tricna Cloy.
Guilty Verdict
Maupin is found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Tricna Cloy.
Maupin Released
Maupin is released from prison after serving 7 years for Cloy's murder.
New Assault
Maupin assaults a woman in Memphis, Tennessee, leaving behind his dentures.
DNA Match
Forensic testing links Maupin to the 2001 rape case through his dentures.
Indicted for Murders
Maupin is indicted for the murders of Nancy Alvis and Patricia Thornton.
Plea Deal Accepted
Maupin pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter for the murders.
The case involves the abduction and murder of 6-year-old Tricna Cloy in Spokane, Washington, on January 25, 1988, after Thomas Maupin attended a house party where Cloy was present. Following her disappearance, a large-scale manhunt was initiated, leading to Maupin's arrest in Alabama on February 18, 1988, while he was in possession of a stolen vehicle. Maupin, a known itinerant criminal with a history of violent offenses, was later linked to cold case murders in Tennessee and ultimately pleaded guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter, receiving a 12-year sentence. Significant evidence included witness testimonies and Maupin's prior criminal history, which established a pattern of violent behavior. He is currently incarcerated at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center in Hartsville, Tennessee.
Thomas Maupin is believed to have a history of violent behavior that escalated to the abduction and murder of a 6-year-old girl, with some speculating that his criminal activities may extend beyond the confirmed cases. Investigators theorize that he could be linked to additional unsolved murders, particularly in Tennessee, where he is connected to the cold case of two women. There are concerns that his pattern of crime indicates a potential for further violent acts, raising questions about the extent of his criminal network and motivations.
The Unraveling Crimes of Thomas Maupin
Early Life and Criminal Beginnings
Thomas Edward Maupin was born on October 9, 1949, in Louisiana. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to Ohio, where Maupin was raised. Details of his early life are sparse, but his criminal activities began at a young age and spanned various states. Maupin's criminal record included thefts, robberies, sexual assaults, and child molestation. Before settling in Spokane, Washington, he had made three successful escapes from custody and was twice labeled a fugitive by federal authorities, though the specific charges remain unclear.
The Disappearance of Tricna Cloy
The chilling events of January 25, 1988, unfolded at a house party in Spokane, where Maupin encountered Tina Fraijo and her two children. After the party, Maupin escorted Fraijo and her children home. The next morning, Fraijo awoke to a parent's worst nightmare: her six-year-old daughter, Tricna Cloy, was missing. Suspicion fell on Maupin, prompting Fraijo to contact the authorities immediately.
A large-scale manhunt ensued, with local volunteers scouring the Minnehaha mountain range. They discovered a makeshift campsite believed to have been used by Maupin. Meanwhile, Maupin faced charges for an unrelated incident of fondling an underage girl on November 30.
Despite the efforts, months passed without finding Cloy. Maupin's arrest on February 18 in Alabama, while driving a stolen car, temporarily brought him back to Spokane. Though acquitted of molestation charges in April, his insistence on innocence in Cloy's disappearance forced authorities to release him.
Tragedy struck on June 9 when children playing in an eastern Spokane gravel pit discovered a skull and clumps of hair. The remains were soon identified through dental records and clothing as belonging to Tricna Cloy. With this heartbreaking confirmation, detectives were keen to charge Maupin with murder but needed more evidence to solidify their case.
Arrest and Trials
Maupin's capture came on January 11, 1989, after he unwittingly revealed his location by requesting a tax form to be sent to an Akron, Ohio address shared with his ex-wife. Authorities tracked him, leading to his arrest for Cloy's murder.
In 1990, Maupin was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to 40 years. However, the Washington Court of Appeals overturned the verdict due to jury specification issues. A second trial in May 1992 ended similarly, but was again overturned in 1996 because a defense witness was unlawfully barred from testifying.
July 1997 marked the start of Maupin's third trial, where a shocking revelation by Cloy's younger brother, Elston, who admitted to perjury in previous trials, cast doubt on the prosecution's case. To avoid a possible acquittal, prosecutors offered Maupin a plea deal: plead guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for a 12-year sentence. Maupin, maintaining his innocence, accepted the deal. With time served and good behavior, he was released two weeks post-sentencing in mid-September 1997.
New Crimes and Forensic Breakthrough
In August 2001, Maupin, now in Memphis, Tennessee, accosted a 31-year-old woman in an industrial area, forcing her into a traumatic ordeal at knifepoint before fleeing and leaving behind a crucial piece of evidence—his dentures, inscribed with his name. Unfortunately, these dentures were overlooked for years, stashed in an untested rape kit.
That October, Maupin's violence escalated. In the Frayser neighborhood, he frequented Harpo's bar and met 46-year-old Nancy Carol Alvis. Their encounter ended in her strangulation and her body discarded in a weeded area. On October 20, Maupin repeated this horror with 37-year-old Patricia Cook Thornton, stabbing her and leaving her body near Alvis's. Despite the quick discovery of the decomposing bodies, insufficient evidence left Maupin uncharged.
Identification and Final Arrest
A pivotal moment arrived in 2013 when Memphis's mayor, A C Wharton, launched a project to address the city's backlog of untested rape kits. This endeavor, costing $6.5 million, included the kit containing Maupin's dentures. In 2017, forensic analysis finally linked the dentures to Maupin, resulting in his arrest and subsequent guilty plea to rape, earning him an 8-year sentence at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center in Hartsville.
Maupin's connection to Alvis and Thornton's murders emerged three years later, leading to indictments in these cases. In April 2021, Maupin accepted another plea deal, admitting guilt to two counts of voluntary manslaughter for a concurrent 12-year sentence with his current term. As of December 2022, Maupin remains incarcerated, with parole eligibility anticipated in 2023.
Sources
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...
Tricna Cloy Goes Missing
6-year-old Tricna Cloy disappears after a party attended by Thomas Maupin.
Cloy's Remains Found
Human remains identified as Tricna Cloy are discovered.
Maupin Arrested
Thomas Maupin is arrested and charged with the murder of Tricna Cloy.
Guilty Verdict
Maupin is found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Tricna Cloy.
Maupin Released
Maupin is released from prison after serving 7 years for Cloy's murder.
New Assault
Maupin assaults a woman in Memphis, Tennessee, leaving behind his dentures.
DNA Match
Forensic testing links Maupin to the 2001 rape case through his dentures.
Indicted for Murders
Maupin is indicted for the murders of Nancy Alvis and Patricia Thornton.
Plea Deal Accepted
Maupin pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter for the murders.