Tony Ables: The Shadow of a Serial Killer

Tony Alvin Ables, born on December 28, 1954, in St. Petersburg, Florida, is a name that echoes in the dark alleys of the Tampa Bay area—a place where the sinister intertwines with the everyday. Convicted of multiple homicides, Ables is officially linked to two murders, with the chilling prospect of more lurking in the shadows.

A Troubled Beginning

Ables' journey into darkness began early. At just 16 years old, he found himself embroiled in a robbery that took a man's life. In March 1971, he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison. After 12 years behind bars, he was released on parole in 1983, stepping back into a world that would soon witness his descent into violence.

The Murders

Adeline McLaughlin: A Tragic End

Just five months after his release, on June 25, 1983, Ables committed a heinous crime that would haunt the community. He broke into the apartment of 83-year-old Adeline McLaughlin, a retired widow from Worcester, Massachusetts. In a horrifying act, he suffocated her with a pillow before robbing her home. Neighbors recalled McLaughlin as a reserved yet kind woman, leaving them shaken and horrified by the brutality of her murder.

Deborah Kisor: A Life Cut Short

On February 14, 1987, tragedy struck again when 31-year-old Deborah Kisor, a woman from Monterey, California, was found dead. Last seen making a phone call at a payphone near an apartment building, her lifeless body was discovered along a path close to Roser Park Bridge. Dressed only in a blouse and jacket, her body bore bruises, with a pair of blue jeans lying nearby. Despite being in a romantic relationship with Kisor, Ables was never arrested as a suspect in her murder, leaving many questions unanswered.

The Fatal Altercation with Marlene Burns

The final act of violence that would seal Ables' fate occurred on June 4, 1990. During a violent altercation with his girlfriend and roommate, 48-year-old Marlene Burns, Ables pushed her down the stairs, followed by a brutal beating. Witnesses saw him fleeing the scene, blood on his hands, as they alerted the police to the domestic disturbance. When authorities arrived, they arrested Ables without hesitation, charging him with first-degree murder.

Trial and Imprisonment

In January 1992, the courtroom became the stage for Ables' reckoning. He was convicted of murdering Marlene Burns, with the jury recommending a death sentence by an 8-4 vote. However, Judge Bob Barker overrode this recommendation, sentencing Ables to life in prison, citing his mental health issues as a mitigating factor. Testimony from his brother shed light on a troubled childhood marred by abuse, suggesting that his turbulent past played a significant role in shaping his violent tendencies.

The Chilling Revelations of 2006

Years of darkness continued to shroud the murders of Adeline McLaughlin and Deborah Kisor until 2006, when detectives submitted Ables' DNA to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The results were shocking—his DNA matched evidence found on both victims. Although he was officially booked for McLaughlin's murder, he was never charged in Kisor's case. Authorities now consider Kisor’s murder closed, yet the lingering question remains—how many more lives did Ables affect?

As Police Major Michael Puetz stated, there is a strong possibility that Ables may be linked to other unsolved crimes, leaving the community to wonder about the extent of his violent legacy.

Conclusion

Tony Ables remains a figure shrouded in infamy, a man whose life spiraled into chaos and violence. Now serving a life sentence at South Bay Correctional Facility in Florida, the shadows of his past continue to loom large—a reminder of the darkness that can lurk behind familiar faces.

Sources

1. Abhi Raghunathan (December 6, 2006). "DNA solves two murders, police say" . Tampa Bay Times.
2. William Yelverton (May 12, 1992). "Man's sentence goes from death to life" . The Tampa Tribune.
3. "Police say DNA solves 2 murders" . Tampa Bay Times.
4. Lynda Richardson (June 27, 1983). "Slaying at retirement hotel unnerves elderly tenants" . Tampa Bay Times.
5. Lynda Richardson (June 27, 1983). "Slaying at retirement hotel unnerves elderly tenants" . Tampa Bay Times.
6. "Deborah D. Kisor Obituary" . Tampa Bay Times.
7. "Passer-by finds woman's body near park" . Tampa Bay Times.
8. Will Rodgers (June 6, 1990). "Beating death called domestic violence" . Tampa Bay Times.
9. "Roommate charged in woman's death" . The Tampa Tribune.
10. "Cops: Inmate linked to 2 other killings" . Orlando Sentinel.