William Lee Neal
Serial Killer and Rapist
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Colorado, United States
TIME PERIOD
June–July 1998
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
In June and July 1998, William Lee "Cody" Neal, a former military soldier, committed a series of brutal murders in Colorado, resulting in the deaths of Rebecca Holberton and Candace Walters, as well as the rape of a third victim. Neal lured his victims under false pretenses related to business deals, subsequently killing them with a splitting maul and draining their bank accounts post-mortem. He was apprehended in July 1998 and was initially sentenced to death, though his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment. Significant evidence includes the murder weapon and financial records indicating unauthorized transactions following the victims' deaths, which were pivotal in securing his convictions for three counts of first-degree murder and other related charges.
William Lee Neal is believed to have committed his murders as part of a broader pattern of manipulation and deceit, leveraging his military background and charm to gain the trust of his victims before attacking them. Some speculate that his crimes were fueled by a deep-seated need for control and power, reflecting a psychological profile common among serial killers. There are also theories that suggest he may have had accomplices or that his criminal activities extended beyond the known cases, indicating a more extensive network of deceit and violence.
A Deceptive Charmer: The Crimes of William Lee "Cody" Neal
Early Life and Background
William Lee "Cody" Neal entered the world on October 7, 1955, in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He grew up in a family with deep military roots, his father serving as an Air Force chief warrant officer. Neal was the second of three sons, with two sisters rounding out the family unit. His upbringing was heavily influenced by a strong religious presence; he was named after a family pastor, with an uncle serving as a minister. Neal's mother, who succumbed to cancer in 1995, was the emotional cornerstone of the family, maintaining a strong bond with her husband and children. Neal's father often took him to museums in Washington, D.C., and encouraged the boy’s fascination with the FBI and ministry work.
At the young age of seventeen, Neal joined the army, a decision that would mark the beginning of a turbulent path. His sister later recalled an incident from the 1980s when Neal was questioned by the FBI regarding the abduction, rape, and murder of a young girl at a New York gas station. Though ultimately cleared as a suspect, this brush with the law foreshadowed the darkness to come.
The Murders Begin
The summer of 1998 in Colorado became the grim setting for Neal's heinous acts. By June, Neal had procured nylon rope, duct tape, and a splitting maul, items that would soon become tools of terror. He lured Rebecca Holberton and Candace Walters with promises of repaying debts and lucrative business deals. On June 30, he murdered Rebecca, and two days later, on July 2, Candace met the same fate. Neal killed them by striking their heads with the maul, then drained their bank accounts posthumously.
Neal’s charm and manipulation didn’t stop there. He seduced two women, known only by pseudonyms "Suzanne" and "Beth," after meeting them at a bar. Concurrently, he was involved with Angela Fife, even entering into a business venture with her. Neal's deceitful web ensnared Suzanne on the night of July 5, when he abducted her under the guise of a meeting with lawyers. Blindfolded and gagged, Suzanne was tied to a mattress, forced to touch the skull of a previous victim, and subjected to Neal's perverse cruelty.
Angela Fife became Neal's next victim, murdered in front of the helpless Suzanne. After this, he untied Suzanne only to further assault her at gunpoint. In a macabre twist, Neal took Suzanne to meet Beth, where he placed a gun and tape recorder on a table, compelling them to listen to his two-hour confession of the murders. Despite Neal's threats, Suzanne managed to call the police, setting the stage for Neal's downfall.
Apprehension and Trial
As law enforcement closed in, Neal refused to surrender without speaking to an attorney. In a controversial move, Deputy District Attorney Mark Pautler impersonated a defense attorney over the phone to coax Neal into surrendering. Neal confessed to his crimes during this call and eventually agreed to give himself up, leading to his arrest. Pautler faced a disciplinary hearing for his deception, resulting in a three-month suspension of his license due to unethical conduct and failing to inform Neal of his rights.
In court, Neal pled guilty to a harrowing list of charges: two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree sexual assault, and seven additional charges, including kidnapping and menacing. His chilling courtroom confession, replayed during sentencing, sealed his fate. Initially sentenced to death in September 1999, Neal’s sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment in 2003.
Aftermath
The murder of Rebecca Holberton, Candace Walters, and Angela Fife left indelible scars on their families, who continue to support one another in the aftermath of tragedy. Neal's ex-wives, too, remain in contact, bound by the shared past of a man who once charmed his way into their lives, only to reveal a monstrous nature.
Sources
- Jackson, Steve (2011). Love Me to Death: The Chilling True Story of William "Wild Bill Cody" Neal, The Vicious Denver Lady-Killer. Colorado: WildBlue Press.
- Jackson, Steve (14 October 1999). "Charmin' Billy".
- "COLORADO MAN ACCUSED IN TORTURE, SLAYING OF 3 WOMEN". The Washington Post. 10 July 1998.
- Nicholson, Kirean (9 August 2000). "Colorado News and Denver News: The Denver Post".
- "In the Matter of Pautler".
- Cross, Rebecca (2003). "Ethical Deception by Prosecutors". Fordham Urban Law Journal.
- "PEOPLE v. PAUTLER (2001)".
- Nicholson, Kieran (30 September 1999). "The Denver Post Online – News".
- "10 of the Worst Murders Committed in Colorado". 25 January 2023.
- Jackson, Steve (21 October 1999). "Charmin' Billy: Part Two".
For more detailed information, visit the Wikipedia page.
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First Murder Committed
William Lee Neal kills Rebecca Holberton using a splitting maul.
Second Murder Committed
Neal murders Candace Walters in a similar manner to Rebecca.
Abduction and Rape
Neal abducts and rapes Suzanne, threatening her life.
Third Murder Committed
Neal kills Angela Fife in front of Suzanne after her abduction.
Neal Arrested
William Lee Neal surrenders to authorities after a phone call with a prosecutor.
Sentenced to Death
Neal is sentenced to death for his crimes after pleading guilty.
Death Sentence Commuted
Neal's death sentence is commuted to life imprisonment.
In June and July 1998, William Lee "Cody" Neal, a former military soldier, committed a series of brutal murders in Colorado, resulting in the deaths of Rebecca Holberton and Candace Walters, as well as the rape of a third victim. Neal lured his victims under false pretenses related to business deals, subsequently killing them with a splitting maul and draining their bank accounts post-mortem. He was apprehended in July 1998 and was initially sentenced to death, though his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment. Significant evidence includes the murder weapon and financial records indicating unauthorized transactions following the victims' deaths, which were pivotal in securing his convictions for three counts of first-degree murder and other related charges.
William Lee Neal is believed to have committed his murders as part of a broader pattern of manipulation and deceit, leveraging his military background and charm to gain the trust of his victims before attacking them. Some speculate that his crimes were fueled by a deep-seated need for control and power, reflecting a psychological profile common among serial killers. There are also theories that suggest he may have had accomplices or that his criminal activities extended beyond the known cases, indicating a more extensive network of deceit and violence.
A Deceptive Charmer: The Crimes of William Lee "Cody" Neal
Early Life and Background
William Lee "Cody" Neal entered the world on October 7, 1955, in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He grew up in a family with deep military roots, his father serving as an Air Force chief warrant officer. Neal was the second of three sons, with two sisters rounding out the family unit. His upbringing was heavily influenced by a strong religious presence; he was named after a family pastor, with an uncle serving as a minister. Neal's mother, who succumbed to cancer in 1995, was the emotional cornerstone of the family, maintaining a strong bond with her husband and children. Neal's father often took him to museums in Washington, D.C., and encouraged the boy’s fascination with the FBI and ministry work.
At the young age of seventeen, Neal joined the army, a decision that would mark the beginning of a turbulent path. His sister later recalled an incident from the 1980s when Neal was questioned by the FBI regarding the abduction, rape, and murder of a young girl at a New York gas station. Though ultimately cleared as a suspect, this brush with the law foreshadowed the darkness to come.
The Murders Begin
The summer of 1998 in Colorado became the grim setting for Neal's heinous acts. By June, Neal had procured nylon rope, duct tape, and a splitting maul, items that would soon become tools of terror. He lured Rebecca Holberton and Candace Walters with promises of repaying debts and lucrative business deals. On June 30, he murdered Rebecca, and two days later, on July 2, Candace met the same fate. Neal killed them by striking their heads with the maul, then drained their bank accounts posthumously.
Neal’s charm and manipulation didn’t stop there. He seduced two women, known only by pseudonyms "Suzanne" and "Beth," after meeting them at a bar. Concurrently, he was involved with Angela Fife, even entering into a business venture with her. Neal's deceitful web ensnared Suzanne on the night of July 5, when he abducted her under the guise of a meeting with lawyers. Blindfolded and gagged, Suzanne was tied to a mattress, forced to touch the skull of a previous victim, and subjected to Neal's perverse cruelty.
Angela Fife became Neal's next victim, murdered in front of the helpless Suzanne. After this, he untied Suzanne only to further assault her at gunpoint. In a macabre twist, Neal took Suzanne to meet Beth, where he placed a gun and tape recorder on a table, compelling them to listen to his two-hour confession of the murders. Despite Neal's threats, Suzanne managed to call the police, setting the stage for Neal's downfall.
Apprehension and Trial
As law enforcement closed in, Neal refused to surrender without speaking to an attorney. In a controversial move, Deputy District Attorney Mark Pautler impersonated a defense attorney over the phone to coax Neal into surrendering. Neal confessed to his crimes during this call and eventually agreed to give himself up, leading to his arrest. Pautler faced a disciplinary hearing for his deception, resulting in a three-month suspension of his license due to unethical conduct and failing to inform Neal of his rights.
In court, Neal pled guilty to a harrowing list of charges: two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree sexual assault, and seven additional charges, including kidnapping and menacing. His chilling courtroom confession, replayed during sentencing, sealed his fate. Initially sentenced to death in September 1999, Neal’s sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment in 2003.
Aftermath
The murder of Rebecca Holberton, Candace Walters, and Angela Fife left indelible scars on their families, who continue to support one another in the aftermath of tragedy. Neal's ex-wives, too, remain in contact, bound by the shared past of a man who once charmed his way into their lives, only to reveal a monstrous nature.
Sources
- Jackson, Steve (2011). Love Me to Death: The Chilling True Story of William "Wild Bill Cody" Neal, The Vicious Denver Lady-Killer. Colorado: WildBlue Press.
- Jackson, Steve (14 October 1999). "Charmin' Billy".
- "COLORADO MAN ACCUSED IN TORTURE, SLAYING OF 3 WOMEN". The Washington Post. 10 July 1998.
- Nicholson, Kirean (9 August 2000). "Colorado News and Denver News: The Denver Post".
- "In the Matter of Pautler".
- Cross, Rebecca (2003). "Ethical Deception by Prosecutors". Fordham Urban Law Journal.
- "PEOPLE v. PAUTLER (2001)".
- Nicholson, Kieran (30 September 1999). "The Denver Post Online – News".
- "10 of the Worst Murders Committed in Colorado". 25 January 2023.
- Jackson, Steve (21 October 1999). "Charmin' Billy: Part Two".
For more detailed information, visit the Wikipedia page.
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 Committed
William Lee Neal kills Rebecca Holberton using a splitting maul.
Second Murder Committed
Neal murders Candace Walters in a similar manner to Rebecca.
Abduction and Rape
Neal abducts and rapes Suzanne, threatening her life.
Third Murder Committed
Neal kills Angela Fife in front of Suzanne after her abduction.
Neal Arrested
William Lee Neal surrenders to authorities after a phone call with a prosecutor.
Sentenced to Death
Neal is sentenced to death for his crimes after pleading guilty.
Death Sentence Commuted
Neal's death sentence is commuted to life imprisonment.