Vender Duncan
California Serial Killer Execution
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
San Francisco, California
TIME PERIOD
1955-1957
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
On January 9, 1955, Vender Lee Duncan, an American serial killer, committed the murder of 82-year-old Marceline Herdlick in her San Francisco apartment, where he sexually assaulted her post-mortem. Over a span of two years, Duncan targeted elderly women, ultimately killing three and committing multiple burglaries and rapes. He was apprehended in 1957 following a burglary arrest, during which he confessed to his crimes. Convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, Duncan was executed by gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison on May 29, 1959. Significant evidence included a desk radio he dropped at the scene of Herdlick's murder, which linked him to the crime.
Vender Duncan is believed to have specifically targeted elderly women due to their vulnerability, which led to speculation that he may have had a psychological motive tied to power and control over weaker individuals. Some theorists suggest that his violent past and troubled youth contributed to his escalation into serial murder, indicating a pattern of escalating violence from earlier offenses. Additionally, there is speculation that Duncan's confession may have been influenced by his mental state at the time of his arrest, raising questions about the reliability of his admissions.
The Sinister Tale of Vender Duncan
In the shadowy underbelly of San Francisco during the mid-1950s, a chilling series of crimes unfolded, orchestrated by a man whose life was marred by violence and depravity. Vender Lee Duncan, born on February 18, 1928, in Sinclair City, Texas, became infamous as a serial killer, rapist, and burglar. His gruesome acts of violence against three elderly women between 1955 and 1957 would lead to his ultimate demise in the gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison.
Early Life and Troubled Beginnings
Vender Duncan's journey into darkness began early. Growing up in the small, unincorporated town of Sinclair City, Texas, he was a troubled youth, often embroiled in fights. At 17, an altercation left him with the loss of an eye. His violent tendencies continued, culminating in a sentence for assault after he stabbed a man 24 times. Eventually, Duncan drifted to San Francisco with his common-law wife, Helen Green, trying to make a living as a house painter. However, financial strain pushed him into a life of crime, targeting homes—particularly those of the elderly. By the time of his murder trial, he already had a prior conviction for rape.
The Murders Begin
Marceline Herdlick
On January 9, 1955, Duncan prowled California Street, where he noticed a second-floor apartment. Climbing up the fire escape, he spied 82-year-old tailor Marceline Herdlick counting money. Driven by malevolent intent, Duncan entered through the window. He attacked Herdlick, striking her face until she fell, then choking her to death. In a final act of depravity, he violated her corpse. Before leaving, he scoured her drawers for valuables, inadvertently dropping a small desk radio on the fire escape.
The next afternoon, Herdlick's landlady, Dorothy Waisman, discovered the body after the cleaning lady reported being unable to access the apartment. Police investigated, and neighbors recalled hearing a scuffle and seeing a young man briskly leaving the scene. An autopsy confirmed strangulation and post-mortem violation, leading police to launch an extensive but fruitless investigation into local sex offenders.
Elizabeth Manning
On September 4, 1955, Duncan selected another victim. Climbing the fire escape of a Webster Street apartment, he encountered 75-year-old retired nurse Elizabeth Manning. Brutally beating her, Duncan left Manning dead. After ransacking her apartment, he exited, partially tearing the window shades to conceal the body.
Concerns arose the following day when Rev. William Hughes noted Manning's absence from morning Mass. Alongside her neighbors, the Sansings, they discovered her lifeless body after George Sansing peered through a window. Autopsy results confirmed a violent assault, linking the crime to Marceline Herdlick's murder. Manning's niece, Marie Gerlach, offered a $100 reward for information leading to the perpetrator's capture.
Ada Romig
The spree continued on April 5, 1957. Duncan viciously attacked 68-year-old Ada Romig in a Grove Street vacant lot, smashing a brick into her face. He dragged her to Fulton Street, discarding her in another lot. Romig, barely clinging to life, was discovered by a passerby and rushed to the hospital, where she died six days later. Before her death, she managed to describe her attacker as "about 40" with dark hair.
The Arrest and Confessions
Merely three days after the attack on Romig, Duncan struck again. At an apartment complex on Van Ness Avenue, he forced his way into 73-year-old Agnes Provost's unit, beating her and attempting rape. Provost's quick thinking—warning Duncan of a nearby police station—scared him away. Despite severe injuries, she provided a detailed description: a black male, around 30, 5'6", wearing horn-rimmed glasses, coveralls, and a checkered shirt.
Duncan's criminal escapades ended with his arrest for burglary. While in custody, he contacted Lt. Al Nelder, confessing to the three murders. During interrogation, he detailed crime scenes with eerie precision, claiming he was intoxicated during the murders, which fueled his aggression. His wife corroborated his confession regarding Romig's murder, noting his return home with blood-stained clothing.
Duncan's remorse culminated in a desire for execution over a lifetime in prison.
Trial and Execution
On April 15, 1958, Duncan faced trial, charged with the 1955 murders. Despite his prior confessions, he pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. A new state law required hearings to determine his sanity for the death penalty. After 11 days, a jury found him guilty on all counts, sentencing him to death.
Duncan sought to commute his sentence, appealing to the Supreme Court of California and Governor Pat Brown, both of whom denied his requests. On May 25, 1959, the U.S. Supreme Court refused his final appeal, sealing his fate. Vender Duncan met his end in the San Quentin gas chamber on May 29, 1959, closing the chapter on a life marked by brutality.
Sources
For more details, visit the original Wikipedia article on Vender Duncan.
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First Murder: Marceline Herdlick
Vender Duncan murders 82-year-old Marceline Herdlick in her apartment.
Second Murder: Elizabeth Manning
Duncan kills 75-year-old Elizabeth Manning in her home.
Third Attack: Ada Romig
Duncan brutally attacks 68-year-old Ada Romig, who later dies from her injuries.
Arrest for Burglary
Duncan is arrested while attempting to burglarize a house.
Confession to Murders
Duncan confesses to the murders of three elderly women during an interrogation.
Trial Begins
Duncan's trial starts, focusing on the murders of Herdlick and Manning.
Guilty Verdict
Duncan is found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder.
Final Appeal Denied
The Supreme Court denies Duncan's final appeal against the death penalty.
Execution
Vender Duncan is executed by gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison.
On January 9, 1955, Vender Lee Duncan, an American serial killer, committed the murder of 82-year-old Marceline Herdlick in her San Francisco apartment, where he sexually assaulted her post-mortem. Over a span of two years, Duncan targeted elderly women, ultimately killing three and committing multiple burglaries and rapes. He was apprehended in 1957 following a burglary arrest, during which he confessed to his crimes. Convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, Duncan was executed by gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison on May 29, 1959. Significant evidence included a desk radio he dropped at the scene of Herdlick's murder, which linked him to the crime.
Vender Duncan is believed to have specifically targeted elderly women due to their vulnerability, which led to speculation that he may have had a psychological motive tied to power and control over weaker individuals. Some theorists suggest that his violent past and troubled youth contributed to his escalation into serial murder, indicating a pattern of escalating violence from earlier offenses. Additionally, there is speculation that Duncan's confession may have been influenced by his mental state at the time of his arrest, raising questions about the reliability of his admissions.
The Sinister Tale of Vender Duncan
In the shadowy underbelly of San Francisco during the mid-1950s, a chilling series of crimes unfolded, orchestrated by a man whose life was marred by violence and depravity. Vender Lee Duncan, born on February 18, 1928, in Sinclair City, Texas, became infamous as a serial killer, rapist, and burglar. His gruesome acts of violence against three elderly women between 1955 and 1957 would lead to his ultimate demise in the gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison.
Early Life and Troubled Beginnings
Vender Duncan's journey into darkness began early. Growing up in the small, unincorporated town of Sinclair City, Texas, he was a troubled youth, often embroiled in fights. At 17, an altercation left him with the loss of an eye. His violent tendencies continued, culminating in a sentence for assault after he stabbed a man 24 times. Eventually, Duncan drifted to San Francisco with his common-law wife, Helen Green, trying to make a living as a house painter. However, financial strain pushed him into a life of crime, targeting homes—particularly those of the elderly. By the time of his murder trial, he already had a prior conviction for rape.
The Murders Begin
Marceline Herdlick
On January 9, 1955, Duncan prowled California Street, where he noticed a second-floor apartment. Climbing up the fire escape, he spied 82-year-old tailor Marceline Herdlick counting money. Driven by malevolent intent, Duncan entered through the window. He attacked Herdlick, striking her face until she fell, then choking her to death. In a final act of depravity, he violated her corpse. Before leaving, he scoured her drawers for valuables, inadvertently dropping a small desk radio on the fire escape.
The next afternoon, Herdlick's landlady, Dorothy Waisman, discovered the body after the cleaning lady reported being unable to access the apartment. Police investigated, and neighbors recalled hearing a scuffle and seeing a young man briskly leaving the scene. An autopsy confirmed strangulation and post-mortem violation, leading police to launch an extensive but fruitless investigation into local sex offenders.
Elizabeth Manning
On September 4, 1955, Duncan selected another victim. Climbing the fire escape of a Webster Street apartment, he encountered 75-year-old retired nurse Elizabeth Manning. Brutally beating her, Duncan left Manning dead. After ransacking her apartment, he exited, partially tearing the window shades to conceal the body.
Concerns arose the following day when Rev. William Hughes noted Manning's absence from morning Mass. Alongside her neighbors, the Sansings, they discovered her lifeless body after George Sansing peered through a window. Autopsy results confirmed a violent assault, linking the crime to Marceline Herdlick's murder. Manning's niece, Marie Gerlach, offered a $100 reward for information leading to the perpetrator's capture.
Ada Romig
The spree continued on April 5, 1957. Duncan viciously attacked 68-year-old Ada Romig in a Grove Street vacant lot, smashing a brick into her face. He dragged her to Fulton Street, discarding her in another lot. Romig, barely clinging to life, was discovered by a passerby and rushed to the hospital, where she died six days later. Before her death, she managed to describe her attacker as "about 40" with dark hair.
The Arrest and Confessions
Merely three days after the attack on Romig, Duncan struck again. At an apartment complex on Van Ness Avenue, he forced his way into 73-year-old Agnes Provost's unit, beating her and attempting rape. Provost's quick thinking—warning Duncan of a nearby police station—scared him away. Despite severe injuries, she provided a detailed description: a black male, around 30, 5'6", wearing horn-rimmed glasses, coveralls, and a checkered shirt.
Duncan's criminal escapades ended with his arrest for burglary. While in custody, he contacted Lt. Al Nelder, confessing to the three murders. During interrogation, he detailed crime scenes with eerie precision, claiming he was intoxicated during the murders, which fueled his aggression. His wife corroborated his confession regarding Romig's murder, noting his return home with blood-stained clothing.
Duncan's remorse culminated in a desire for execution over a lifetime in prison.
Trial and Execution
On April 15, 1958, Duncan faced trial, charged with the 1955 murders. Despite his prior confessions, he pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. A new state law required hearings to determine his sanity for the death penalty. After 11 days, a jury found him guilty on all counts, sentencing him to death.
Duncan sought to commute his sentence, appealing to the Supreme Court of California and Governor Pat Brown, both of whom denied his requests. On May 25, 1959, the U.S. Supreme Court refused his final appeal, sealing his fate. Vender Duncan met his end in the San Quentin gas chamber on May 29, 1959, closing the chapter on a life marked by brutality.
Sources
For more details, visit the original Wikipedia article on Vender Duncan.
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 Murder: Marceline Herdlick
Vender Duncan murders 82-year-old Marceline Herdlick in her apartment.
Second Murder: Elizabeth Manning
Duncan kills 75-year-old Elizabeth Manning in her home.
Third Attack: Ada Romig
Duncan brutally attacks 68-year-old Ada Romig, who later dies from her injuries.
Arrest for Burglary
Duncan is arrested while attempting to burglarize a house.
Confession to Murders
Duncan confesses to the murders of three elderly women during an interrogation.
Trial Begins
Duncan's trial starts, focusing on the murders of Herdlick and Manning.
Guilty Verdict
Duncan is found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder.
Final Appeal Denied
The Supreme Court denies Duncan's final appeal against the death penalty.
Execution
Vender Duncan is executed by gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison.