Wayne Nance
Montana Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Missoula, Montana
TIME PERIOD
1974-1986
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
Wayne Nathan Nance, known as "The Missoula Mauler," was an American serial killer active in Montana from 1974 until his death on September 4, 1986, during a home invasion at a co-worker's residence in Missoula. Nance, who was born on October 18, 1955, is believed to have committed at least six homicides, with evidence linking him to several unsolved murders, including the brutal rape and murder of 39-year-old Donna Lorraine Pounds in 1974. Despite being a prime suspect in multiple cases, Nance was never formally charged or convicted of any murders due to his death during the attempted burglary. Investigative findings include physical evidence such as a latex glove found at the scene of Pounds' murder, which connected him to the crime, and authorities suspect he may have had additional undiscovered victims.
Wayne Nance is believed to have committed at least six homicides, with speculation that the actual number of his victims may be much higher. Some of the unsolved murders prior to his death were initially attributed to David Meirhofer, who confessed to four murders before taking his own life. Investigators have linked physical evidence from several crime scenes to Nance, raising further questions about the extent of his criminal activities.
The Missoula Mauler: The Story of Wayne Nance
Early Life of a Troubled Soul
Born on October 18, 1955, in Clinton, Montana, Wayne Nathan Nance grew up in the shadow of his father's long-haul trucking career and his mother's work as a waitress. Despite being academically gifted, Wayne's behavior was far from typical. Teachers and classmates described him as eccentric, and he carried the label of a juvenile delinquent. Friends recalled his unsettling boasts about worshiping the devil and his bizarre act of branding himself with satanic symbols using a hot coat hanger. By the time he graduated from Sentinel High School in 1974, he had already expressed a disturbing desire—to commit murder before he turned 19.
The Darkness Begins: The 1970s
The year was 1974 when Wayne Nance allegedly committed his first known murder, that of 39-year-old Donna Lorraine Pounds in West Riverside, Montana. On April 11th, Donna, who worked part-time at a Christian bookstore, returned home to a nightmare. Nance, armed with her husband’s .22 caliber Luger rifle and wearing latex gloves, confronted her in the master bedroom. After firing a warning shot, he tied Donna to her bed with a white clothesline from his black gym bag, raped her, and forced her into the basement. There, he executed her with five shots to the back of her head before desecrating her body in a gruesome manner.
When Donna’s husband, Harvey, returned home, he discovered the horrifying scene. Eyewitnesses placed Nance, an acquaintance of the Pounds’ teenage son, at the scene. Despite these accounts and his suspicious presence, Nance evaded justice due to insufficient evidence. Years later, a search of his home would yield damning evidence linking him to the crime. From 1974 to 1977, Nance served in the U.S. Navy, a period during which investigators suspect he might have committed additional, unreported crimes.
The 1980s: A String of Murders
Nance's murderous spree continued into the 1980s. In July 1978, during a visit to Seattle, Washington, 15-year-old runaway Devonna Nelson vanished, only to be found years later near Missoula, Montana. Her body, discovered on February 27, 1980, was so decomposed that identification took until 1985. Nance remains a suspect in her stabbing death, but definitive links are elusive.
Marcella Cheri "Marci" Bachmann’s fate was similarly tragic. The 16-year-old runaway from Vancouver, Washington, was found in a shallow grave on December 24, 1984, with three gunshot wounds to her head. Hair matching hers was discovered in Nance’s home, and photographs of the two together surfaced, putting Nance squarely in the frame for her murder. Despite using the alias "Robin" and claiming various origins, Bachmann’s life ended in a lonely grave just two miles from Nance’s residence. Her brother, Derek Bachmann, searched for her for years, fearing she might have fallen victim to another notorious killer, Gary Ridgway, but DNA later confirmed her as a victim of Nance.
In 1985, the skeleton of Janet Lee Lucas was found with two bullet holes in her skull. Dubbed "Christy Crystal Creek" before being identified through genetic genealogy in 2021, Lucas had disappeared from Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1983. Though Nance is the prime suspect, no conclusive evidence has tied him to her murder.
The brutal double murder of Michael and Teresa Shook on December 12, 1985, in Ravalli County, Montana, further underscored Nance’s savagery. Introducing himself as “Conan the Barbarian,” Nance shot Teresa in the leg, tied up the couple, and fatally stabbed them. After attempting to destroy evidence by setting a fire, which inadvertently released cyanide gas, he left the couple’s four children, locked in a room, to be rescued by neighbors. Stolen items found in Nance's possession later confirmed his responsibility for these heinous acts.
A Predatory Nature: Sexual Harassment and Stalking
While working for Conlin's Furniture store, Nance maintained an unassuming facade. Yet, he was notorious for harassing female customers with phone calls after deliveries, earning a reputation among his colleagues for unsettling behavior. He photographed female coworkers and spied on them through a peephole, deflecting blame onto others when questioned.
The Final Confrontation and Death
Wayne Nance’s reign of terror ended on September 3, 1986, when he attempted to kill his coworkers, Doug and Kris Wells. After being caught lurking outside their home, Nance struck Doug, tied up the couple, and stabbed Doug in the chest. As he moved to assault Kris, Doug, gravely injured, mustered the strength to shoot Nance with a rifle. This act of bravery saved their lives, but Nance succumbed to his injuries the next day. In the aftermath, investigators uncovered a disturbing collection of photos and notes in Nance’s possession, laying bare his obsession with Kris.
Conclusion
Wayne Nance's death marked the end of a chilling chapter in Montana's history. Though he was never formally charged, the evidence was overwhelming, linking him to multiple murders. His story is a haunting reminder of the horrors hidden beneath a seemingly ordinary facade.
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First Suspected Murder
Wayne Nance is believed to have raped and murdered Donna Lorraine Pounds in West Riverside, Montana.
Devonna Nelson Found
The decomposed body of 15-year-old Devonna Nelson is discovered, suspected to be linked to Nance.
Marcella Bachmann Discovered
The body of 16-year-old Marcella Bachmann is found, with strong evidence linking her murder to Nance.
Janet Lee Lucas Found
The skeleton of Janet Lee Lucas is discovered, believed to be another victim of Nance.
Shook Murders
Wayne Nance murders Michael and Teresa Shook in their home, tying up their children.
Final Assault
Nance attempts to murder Doug and Kris Wells but is shot during the struggle.
Nance Dies
Wayne Nance dies from injuries sustained during the assault on the Wells couple.
Investigation Launched
Authorities begin investigating Nance's background and potential links to multiple murders.
Wayne Nathan Nance, known as "The Missoula Mauler," was an American serial killer active in Montana from 1974 until his death on September 4, 1986, during a home invasion at a co-worker's residence in Missoula. Nance, who was born on October 18, 1955, is believed to have committed at least six homicides, with evidence linking him to several unsolved murders, including the brutal rape and murder of 39-year-old Donna Lorraine Pounds in 1974. Despite being a prime suspect in multiple cases, Nance was never formally charged or convicted of any murders due to his death during the attempted burglary. Investigative findings include physical evidence such as a latex glove found at the scene of Pounds' murder, which connected him to the crime, and authorities suspect he may have had additional undiscovered victims.
Wayne Nance is believed to have committed at least six homicides, with speculation that the actual number of his victims may be much higher. Some of the unsolved murders prior to his death were initially attributed to David Meirhofer, who confessed to four murders before taking his own life. Investigators have linked physical evidence from several crime scenes to Nance, raising further questions about the extent of his criminal activities.
The Missoula Mauler: The Story of Wayne Nance
Early Life of a Troubled Soul
Born on October 18, 1955, in Clinton, Montana, Wayne Nathan Nance grew up in the shadow of his father's long-haul trucking career and his mother's work as a waitress. Despite being academically gifted, Wayne's behavior was far from typical. Teachers and classmates described him as eccentric, and he carried the label of a juvenile delinquent. Friends recalled his unsettling boasts about worshiping the devil and his bizarre act of branding himself with satanic symbols using a hot coat hanger. By the time he graduated from Sentinel High School in 1974, he had already expressed a disturbing desire—to commit murder before he turned 19.
The Darkness Begins: The 1970s
The year was 1974 when Wayne Nance allegedly committed his first known murder, that of 39-year-old Donna Lorraine Pounds in West Riverside, Montana. On April 11th, Donna, who worked part-time at a Christian bookstore, returned home to a nightmare. Nance, armed with her husband’s .22 caliber Luger rifle and wearing latex gloves, confronted her in the master bedroom. After firing a warning shot, he tied Donna to her bed with a white clothesline from his black gym bag, raped her, and forced her into the basement. There, he executed her with five shots to the back of her head before desecrating her body in a gruesome manner.
When Donna’s husband, Harvey, returned home, he discovered the horrifying scene. Eyewitnesses placed Nance, an acquaintance of the Pounds’ teenage son, at the scene. Despite these accounts and his suspicious presence, Nance evaded justice due to insufficient evidence. Years later, a search of his home would yield damning evidence linking him to the crime. From 1974 to 1977, Nance served in the U.S. Navy, a period during which investigators suspect he might have committed additional, unreported crimes.
The 1980s: A String of Murders
Nance's murderous spree continued into the 1980s. In July 1978, during a visit to Seattle, Washington, 15-year-old runaway Devonna Nelson vanished, only to be found years later near Missoula, Montana. Her body, discovered on February 27, 1980, was so decomposed that identification took until 1985. Nance remains a suspect in her stabbing death, but definitive links are elusive.
Marcella Cheri "Marci" Bachmann’s fate was similarly tragic. The 16-year-old runaway from Vancouver, Washington, was found in a shallow grave on December 24, 1984, with three gunshot wounds to her head. Hair matching hers was discovered in Nance’s home, and photographs of the two together surfaced, putting Nance squarely in the frame for her murder. Despite using the alias "Robin" and claiming various origins, Bachmann’s life ended in a lonely grave just two miles from Nance’s residence. Her brother, Derek Bachmann, searched for her for years, fearing she might have fallen victim to another notorious killer, Gary Ridgway, but DNA later confirmed her as a victim of Nance.
In 1985, the skeleton of Janet Lee Lucas was found with two bullet holes in her skull. Dubbed "Christy Crystal Creek" before being identified through genetic genealogy in 2021, Lucas had disappeared from Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1983. Though Nance is the prime suspect, no conclusive evidence has tied him to her murder.
The brutal double murder of Michael and Teresa Shook on December 12, 1985, in Ravalli County, Montana, further underscored Nance’s savagery. Introducing himself as “Conan the Barbarian,” Nance shot Teresa in the leg, tied up the couple, and fatally stabbed them. After attempting to destroy evidence by setting a fire, which inadvertently released cyanide gas, he left the couple’s four children, locked in a room, to be rescued by neighbors. Stolen items found in Nance's possession later confirmed his responsibility for these heinous acts.
A Predatory Nature: Sexual Harassment and Stalking
While working for Conlin's Furniture store, Nance maintained an unassuming facade. Yet, he was notorious for harassing female customers with phone calls after deliveries, earning a reputation among his colleagues for unsettling behavior. He photographed female coworkers and spied on them through a peephole, deflecting blame onto others when questioned.
The Final Confrontation and Death
Wayne Nance’s reign of terror ended on September 3, 1986, when he attempted to kill his coworkers, Doug and Kris Wells. After being caught lurking outside their home, Nance struck Doug, tied up the couple, and stabbed Doug in the chest. As he moved to assault Kris, Doug, gravely injured, mustered the strength to shoot Nance with a rifle. This act of bravery saved their lives, but Nance succumbed to his injuries the next day. In the aftermath, investigators uncovered a disturbing collection of photos and notes in Nance’s possession, laying bare his obsession with Kris.
Conclusion
Wayne Nance's death marked the end of a chilling chapter in Montana's history. Though he was never formally charged, the evidence was overwhelming, linking him to multiple murders. His story is a haunting reminder of the horrors hidden beneath a seemingly ordinary facade.
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...
First Suspected Murder
Wayne Nance is believed to have raped and murdered Donna Lorraine Pounds in West Riverside, Montana.
Devonna Nelson Found
The decomposed body of 15-year-old Devonna Nelson is discovered, suspected to be linked to Nance.
Marcella Bachmann Discovered
The body of 16-year-old Marcella Bachmann is found, with strong evidence linking her murder to Nance.
Janet Lee Lucas Found
The skeleton of Janet Lee Lucas is discovered, believed to be another victim of Nance.
Shook Murders
Wayne Nance murders Michael and Teresa Shook in their home, tying up their children.
Final Assault
Nance attempts to murder Doug and Kris Wells but is shot during the struggle.
Nance Dies
Wayne Nance dies from injuries sustained during the assault on the Wells couple.
Investigation Launched
Authorities begin investigating Nance's background and potential links to multiple murders.