The Skid Row Slasher: Vaughn Greenwood's Reign of Terror

A Dark Introduction

Vaughn Orrin Greenwood was a name that haunted the streets of Southern California, particularly in the grim shadows of Skid Row. Born on January 19, 1944, in Pennsylvania, Greenwood would earn a notorious reputation as an American serial killer, known to many as the "Skid Row Slasher." Between November 1964 and January 1975, he murdered eleven vagrants and attempted a twelfth murder, a crime that eventually led to his capture. His life came to an end on December 18, 2020, at the California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo, California, at the age of 76. The exact cause of his death remains a mystery, although COVID-19 is suspected.

The Crimes Begin

Greenwood's dark saga commenced in November 1964 with the brutal slaying of two transients. However, his killing spree was interrupted due to a separate knifing assault conviction in Chicago in 1966. This crime earned him a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence. Upon his release, he returned to California, where his thirst for blood continued unabated. Between December 1974 and February 1975, Greenwood unleashed terror once more, claiming the lives of nine more victims.

These atrocities would collectively be known as the "Skid Row Slasher" murders. Greenwood's modus operandi was chillingly consistent; he slashed the throats of his victims from ear to ear. Disturbingly, there was evidence suggesting that he drank the blood of his victims. At each crime scene, Greenwood left behind cups of blood and rings of salt surrounding the lifeless bodies. These eerie rituals led some to speculate that the murders were linked to Satanism, although this theory is disputed by experts like K.V. Lanning.

The Victims

The following list chronicles the known victims of the Skid Row Slasher in the order of their attacks:

1. David Russell - Male, body discovered on November 13, 1964.
2. Benjamin Hornberg - Male, age 67, body found on November 14, 1964.
3. Charles Jackson - Male, age 46, body discovered on December 1, 1974.
4. Moses Yakanac - Male, age 47, body found on December 8, 1974.
5. Arthur Dahlstedt - Male, age 54, body discovered on December 11, 1974.
6. David Perez - Male, age 42, body found on December 22, 1974.
7. Casimir Strawinski - Male, age 58, body discovered on January 9, 1975.
8. Robert Shannahan - Male, age 46, body found on January 17, 1975.
9. Samuel Suarez - Male, age 49, body discovered in January 1975.
10. George Frias - Male, age 45, body found on January 29, 1975.
11. Clyde Hay - Male, age 34, body discovered on January 31, 1975.
12. William Graham - Male, survived the attack.

Capture and Sentencing

The heinous nature of these crimes did not go unnoticed, and law enforcement was relentless in their pursuit of justice. Greenwood was apprehended on February 3, 1975, and in a trial that shocked the nation, he was found guilty of nine counts of murder, including eight of the Skid Row Slasher killings. On January 19, 1977, Greenwood was sentenced to life imprisonment, ensuring that the streets of Southern California would no longer tremble under the shadow of the Skid Row Slasher.

Conclusion

Vaughn Greenwood's reign of terror left an indelible mark on the history of American crime. His gruesome murders and the macabre rituals surrounding them continue to evoke horror and fascination. Although he died behind bars, the stories of his victims and the nightmarish legacy he left behind endure, a chilling reminder of the evil that once lurked in the shadows of Skid Row.

Sources

• Judge orders Slasher 'gag'. Press-Telegram. March 17, 1975.
• "'Slasher' jury finds man guilty", The Spokesman Review, December 29, 1976
• "Suspect Booked in L.A. Stabbings". Spokane Daily Chronicle. 8 December 1978. p. 1.
• Lester, David (1995). Serial Killers. Philadelphia: The Charles Press, Publishers. p. 167. ISBN 0-914783-77-7.
• Newton, Michael (1990). Hunting Humans: An Encyclopedia of Modern Serial Killers. Loompanics Unlimited. ISBN 9781559500265.
• "Vaughn Greenwood". skcentral.com. Retrieved 2011-10-05.

For further reading, consider exploring lists of serial killers in the United States by their number of victims.