Vincent Groves
Denver Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Denver, Colorado
TIME PERIOD
1978-1988
VICTIMS
7 confirmed
Vincent Darrell Groves, an American serial killer, was active in Denver, Colorado, between 1978 and 1988, during which he is believed to have murdered at least seven girls and women. His criminal activities came to light after the discovery of the body of 17-year-old Jeanette Baca in June 1978, leading to his initial interrogation; however, he was not charged at that time due to lack of evidence. Groves was apprehended on September 1, 1988, and subsequently convicted of three murders, receiving a life sentence. Following his death on October 31, 1996, DNA profiling in 2012 conclusively linked him to four additional murders, raising the potential victim count to over 20, although the exact number remains undetermined. Investigative findings, including circumstantial evidence and witness testimonies, continue to support the theory of Groves' extensive involvement in multiple homicides.
Vincent Groves is believed to have committed more than 20 murders based on circumstantial evidence and testimonies, although he was conclusively proven guilty of only four. Some speculate that his athletic background and social status may have contributed to his ability to evade capture for so long. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that Groves may have had accomplices or that his crimes could be linked to other unsolved cases in the region.
The Sinister Shadow of Vincent Groves
Early Years
Born on April 19, 1954, Vincent Darrell Groves came into the world in Denver, Colorado, as the eldest of three sons in a family that epitomized middle-class respectability. His father worked as a postman, and his mother was a dedicated teacher. The Groves family lived in Wheat Ridge, a suburban enclave of Denver, known for its upper-middle-class residents and peaceful streets. Vincent was the only black student in his class at Wheat Ridge High School, where he graduated in 1972. Among his classmates was Dave Logan, who would later achieve fame as a professional football player and coach.
Groves was not just a student; he was a star athlete. With his tall and athletic frame, he made a name for himself on the school's basketball team. In 1972, Vincent's team advanced to the finals in the state’s annual interscholastic basketball championship, with Groves celebrated as the star player. This recognition earned him popularity and a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. After high school, Groves attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he continued to play basketball. However, his enthusiasm waned, and by 1974, his chronic absences led to him dropping out and returning to Denver. Back home, he moved in with his grandmother and took up a job as an electrician at the Gates Rubber Company. It was during this time that his life began to take a darker turn. Groves developed a penchant for alcohol and frequented the red-light districts, mingling with pimps and prostitutes—a lifestyle that eventually drew him into a world of crime.
Descent into Crime
As the 1970s drew to a close, Vincent Groves's life spiraled further into criminality. In late 1977, he crossed paths with a 17-year-old named Jeanette Baca, whom he convinced to engage in prostitution under his control. Tragedy struck on June 11, 1978, when Baca's naked body was discovered in a woodland area of Jefferson County. The investigation led police to Groves, but lacking concrete evidence, they could not charge him. A few months later, Groves became involved with 21-year-old Norma Jean Halford from San Jose, California. She moved in with him, but on August 24, 1979, her car was found abandoned on a mountain road near Georgetown. Halford herself has never been found.
Groves's life continued its downward trajectory as he succumbed to drug addiction in 1979. Amidst this chaos, he met and married Janett Hill in March 1981. His addiction strained their relationship, and Groves's erratic behavior led him to quit his job at the Gates Rubber Company, eventually taking up work as a janitor with irregular hours. On August 14, 1981, during a camping trip, Groves killed 17-year-old Tammy Sue Woodrum. Following his wife's advice, he turned himself in to the police, claiming the girl had overdosed. However, an autopsy revealed she had been raped and strangled, with no drugs in her system. Convicted of second-degree murder, Groves was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 1982. During his incarceration, he divorced his wife, completed his college education, and participated in sex offender rehabilitation programs. He was paroled on February 13, 1987.
A Return to Darkness
Upon his release, Groves returned to Denver, moving in with his parents. With his father's help, he acquired a blue AMC Concord and found work as a janitor at a local church and department store. Despite these attempts at normalcy, Groves's dark inclinations resurfaced. He gravitated towards Colfax Avenue, a street notorious for its burgeoning drug and sex trade amidst Denver’s social and economic upheavals. It was here, in March 1987, that he encountered Sheila Washington, a 20-year-old prostitute. After hiring her, Groves took her to a motel where a shared drug session turned violent. Motel guests heard the ensuing struggle, prompting Groves to flee. Washington survived and described her attacker and his car to the police, but without a name, Groves evaded capture.
In August 1988, Washington identified Groves's car, leading to police involvement. By then, Groves was a suspect in over 20 murders, all involving young women strangled in the Denver area. Investigators noted Groves's connections to the victims and his reputation as a drug dealer. He was often the last person seen with many of the victims. On September 1, 1988, Groves was arrested. Despite his denials and lack of incriminating evidence from searches of his car and homes, he was charged with assaulting Washington. In his 1989 trial, Groves argued self-defense, claiming Washington had stolen $1,600 and attacked him. The court considered her drug conviction and acquitted Groves in February 1989.
However, freedom was fleeting. DNA profiling linked Groves to the murders of 19-year-old Juanita Lovato and 25-year-old Diane Mancera. Lovato's body had been found in April 1988 in a rural area east of Denver, while Mancera's was discovered in neighboring Adams County.
Trial and Conviction
In 1990, Vincent Groves faced justice for Juanita Lovato's murder, receiving a life sentence. Shortly thereafter, he was extradited to Adams County and convicted of Diane Mancera's murder, which added a 20-year sentence. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence suggesting Groves's involvement in eight other murders in the Denver area. Despite testimonies placing him as the last person seen with several victims, no further charges were filed.
Death and Posthumous Revelations
In the early 1990s, Groves's health deteriorated due to Hepatitis C and liver failure. He died from complications on October 31, 1996, at a prison hospital near Denver. Even as death approached, Groves refused to confess to any additional murders.
Years later, in 2012, DNA analysis confirmed Groves's culpability in the murders of four more women: 25-year-old Emma Jenefor, found in March 1978; 23-year-old Joyce Ramey, killed in July 1979; 20-year-old Peggy Cuff, discovered in November 1979; and 35-year-old Pamela Montgomery, strangled in August 1988. During his 1989 trial, Groves had been a suspect in Montgomery's killing, as a witness identified him as the driver of a car Montgomery entered before her disappearance and subsequent death.
Sources
- CBS News Article on Vincent Groves
- Rocky Mountain News, "Prosecutors put hopes on line in slaying cases solution to puzzle proving elusive," April 15, 1990.
- Wheat Ridge High School Yearbook 1972, pp. 33, 43.
- "Chasing A Ghost," October 2012.
- "People v. Groves. The People of the State of Colorado, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Vincent Darrell GROVES, Defendant-Appellant."
- Los Angeles Times, "Dead Colorado serial killer tied to 4 other murders, maybe more," March 7, 2012.
For more information, visit the Wikipedia page on Vincent Groves.
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First Murder Discovered
The body of 17-year-old Jeanette Baca is found, marking the beginning of Groves' known murders.
Tammy Sue Woodrum Murder
Vincent Groves kills 17-year-old Tammy Sue Woodrum while camping and later confesses to the crime.
Arrest of Vincent Groves
Vincent Groves is arrested as a suspect in multiple murders after being identified by a survivor.
Conviction for Juanita Lovato's Murder
Groves is convicted of the murder of Juanita Lovato and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Conviction for Diane Mancera's Murder
Groves is extradited and convicted for the murder of Diane Mancera, receiving an additional 20 years.
Vincent Groves Dies
Vincent Groves dies in a prison hospital from health complications related to Hepatitis C.
DNA Evidence Links Additional Murders
DNA analysis confirms Groves' involvement in four additional murders, expanding his victim count.
Vincent Darrell Groves, an American serial killer, was active in Denver, Colorado, between 1978 and 1988, during which he is believed to have murdered at least seven girls and women. His criminal activities came to light after the discovery of the body of 17-year-old Jeanette Baca in June 1978, leading to his initial interrogation; however, he was not charged at that time due to lack of evidence. Groves was apprehended on September 1, 1988, and subsequently convicted of three murders, receiving a life sentence. Following his death on October 31, 1996, DNA profiling in 2012 conclusively linked him to four additional murders, raising the potential victim count to over 20, although the exact number remains undetermined. Investigative findings, including circumstantial evidence and witness testimonies, continue to support the theory of Groves' extensive involvement in multiple homicides.
Vincent Groves is believed to have committed more than 20 murders based on circumstantial evidence and testimonies, although he was conclusively proven guilty of only four. Some speculate that his athletic background and social status may have contributed to his ability to evade capture for so long. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that Groves may have had accomplices or that his crimes could be linked to other unsolved cases in the region.
The Sinister Shadow of Vincent Groves
Early Years
Born on April 19, 1954, Vincent Darrell Groves came into the world in Denver, Colorado, as the eldest of three sons in a family that epitomized middle-class respectability. His father worked as a postman, and his mother was a dedicated teacher. The Groves family lived in Wheat Ridge, a suburban enclave of Denver, known for its upper-middle-class residents and peaceful streets. Vincent was the only black student in his class at Wheat Ridge High School, where he graduated in 1972. Among his classmates was Dave Logan, who would later achieve fame as a professional football player and coach.
Groves was not just a student; he was a star athlete. With his tall and athletic frame, he made a name for himself on the school's basketball team. In 1972, Vincent's team advanced to the finals in the state’s annual interscholastic basketball championship, with Groves celebrated as the star player. This recognition earned him popularity and a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. After high school, Groves attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he continued to play basketball. However, his enthusiasm waned, and by 1974, his chronic absences led to him dropping out and returning to Denver. Back home, he moved in with his grandmother and took up a job as an electrician at the Gates Rubber Company. It was during this time that his life began to take a darker turn. Groves developed a penchant for alcohol and frequented the red-light districts, mingling with pimps and prostitutes—a lifestyle that eventually drew him into a world of crime.
Descent into Crime
As the 1970s drew to a close, Vincent Groves's life spiraled further into criminality. In late 1977, he crossed paths with a 17-year-old named Jeanette Baca, whom he convinced to engage in prostitution under his control. Tragedy struck on June 11, 1978, when Baca's naked body was discovered in a woodland area of Jefferson County. The investigation led police to Groves, but lacking concrete evidence, they could not charge him. A few months later, Groves became involved with 21-year-old Norma Jean Halford from San Jose, California. She moved in with him, but on August 24, 1979, her car was found abandoned on a mountain road near Georgetown. Halford herself has never been found.
Groves's life continued its downward trajectory as he succumbed to drug addiction in 1979. Amidst this chaos, he met and married Janett Hill in March 1981. His addiction strained their relationship, and Groves's erratic behavior led him to quit his job at the Gates Rubber Company, eventually taking up work as a janitor with irregular hours. On August 14, 1981, during a camping trip, Groves killed 17-year-old Tammy Sue Woodrum. Following his wife's advice, he turned himself in to the police, claiming the girl had overdosed. However, an autopsy revealed she had been raped and strangled, with no drugs in her system. Convicted of second-degree murder, Groves was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 1982. During his incarceration, he divorced his wife, completed his college education, and participated in sex offender rehabilitation programs. He was paroled on February 13, 1987.
A Return to Darkness
Upon his release, Groves returned to Denver, moving in with his parents. With his father's help, he acquired a blue AMC Concord and found work as a janitor at a local church and department store. Despite these attempts at normalcy, Groves's dark inclinations resurfaced. He gravitated towards Colfax Avenue, a street notorious for its burgeoning drug and sex trade amidst Denver’s social and economic upheavals. It was here, in March 1987, that he encountered Sheila Washington, a 20-year-old prostitute. After hiring her, Groves took her to a motel where a shared drug session turned violent. Motel guests heard the ensuing struggle, prompting Groves to flee. Washington survived and described her attacker and his car to the police, but without a name, Groves evaded capture.
In August 1988, Washington identified Groves's car, leading to police involvement. By then, Groves was a suspect in over 20 murders, all involving young women strangled in the Denver area. Investigators noted Groves's connections to the victims and his reputation as a drug dealer. He was often the last person seen with many of the victims. On September 1, 1988, Groves was arrested. Despite his denials and lack of incriminating evidence from searches of his car and homes, he was charged with assaulting Washington. In his 1989 trial, Groves argued self-defense, claiming Washington had stolen $1,600 and attacked him. The court considered her drug conviction and acquitted Groves in February 1989.
However, freedom was fleeting. DNA profiling linked Groves to the murders of 19-year-old Juanita Lovato and 25-year-old Diane Mancera. Lovato's body had been found in April 1988 in a rural area east of Denver, while Mancera's was discovered in neighboring Adams County.
Trial and Conviction
In 1990, Vincent Groves faced justice for Juanita Lovato's murder, receiving a life sentence. Shortly thereafter, he was extradited to Adams County and convicted of Diane Mancera's murder, which added a 20-year sentence. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence suggesting Groves's involvement in eight other murders in the Denver area. Despite testimonies placing him as the last person seen with several victims, no further charges were filed.
Death and Posthumous Revelations
In the early 1990s, Groves's health deteriorated due to Hepatitis C and liver failure. He died from complications on October 31, 1996, at a prison hospital near Denver. Even as death approached, Groves refused to confess to any additional murders.
Years later, in 2012, DNA analysis confirmed Groves's culpability in the murders of four more women: 25-year-old Emma Jenefor, found in March 1978; 23-year-old Joyce Ramey, killed in July 1979; 20-year-old Peggy Cuff, discovered in November 1979; and 35-year-old Pamela Montgomery, strangled in August 1988. During his 1989 trial, Groves had been a suspect in Montgomery's killing, as a witness identified him as the driver of a car Montgomery entered before her disappearance and subsequent death.
Sources
- CBS News Article on Vincent Groves
- Rocky Mountain News, "Prosecutors put hopes on line in slaying cases solution to puzzle proving elusive," April 15, 1990.
- Wheat Ridge High School Yearbook 1972, pp. 33, 43.
- "Chasing A Ghost," October 2012.
- "People v. Groves. The People of the State of Colorado, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Vincent Darrell GROVES, Defendant-Appellant."
- Los Angeles Times, "Dead Colorado serial killer tied to 4 other murders, maybe more," March 7, 2012.
For more information, visit the Wikipedia page on Vincent Groves.
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...
First Murder Discovered
The body of 17-year-old Jeanette Baca is found, marking the beginning of Groves' known murders.
Tammy Sue Woodrum Murder
Vincent Groves kills 17-year-old Tammy Sue Woodrum while camping and later confesses to the crime.
Arrest of Vincent Groves
Vincent Groves is arrested as a suspect in multiple murders after being identified by a survivor.
Conviction for Juanita Lovato's Murder
Groves is convicted of the murder of Juanita Lovato and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Conviction for Diane Mancera's Murder
Groves is extradited and convicted for the murder of Diane Mancera, receiving an additional 20 years.
Vincent Groves Dies
Vincent Groves dies in a prison hospital from health complications related to Hepatitis C.
DNA Evidence Links Additional Murders
DNA analysis confirms Groves' involvement in four additional murders, expanding his victim count.