William Lewis Reece
American Serial Killer and Rapist
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Oklahoma, United States
TIME PERIOD
April 3 – August 17, 1997
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
William Lewis Reece, an American serial killer and rapist, was active primarily in Oklahoma and Texas between April 3 and August 17, 1997, where he is linked to multiple murders and kidnappings. He was apprehended in 1997 and, after a lengthy investigation, was connected via DNA evidence to the cold case murder of a woman in Oklahoma in 2015, leading to his conviction and death sentence in 2021. Additionally, Reece pled guilty to three murders associated with the Texas Killing Fields, resulting in three life sentences in 2022. He is currently incarcerated at the Allan B. Polunsky Unit in Texas, awaiting execution in Oklahoma. Significant evidence includes DNA matches from the 1997 murder and corroborating witness testimonies from his earlier criminal activities.
Investigators and the public theorize that William Lewis Reece may be linked to additional unsolved murders in the Texas Killing Fields area, given his history and the nature of his crimes. There is speculation that he could have more victims across multiple states, as his trucker lifestyle allowed him to travel extensively. Some believe that his abusive behavior in personal relationships could indicate a pattern of violence that extends beyond the confirmed cases.
The Sinister Trail of William Lewis Reece: A True Crime Narrative
Introduction to the Case
William Lewis Reece, born on July 1, 1959, in Oklahoma, carved a dark path across the United States as a serial killer, rapist, and truck driver. His reign of terror spanned the states of Oklahoma and Texas, leaving a haunting legacy of brutality and death. As of now, Reece remains incarcerated in Texas, awaiting execution in Oklahoma for his heinous crimes. His conviction record includes first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, and theft, marking him as one of the most notorious criminals in recent U.S. history.
Early Life and Troubled Marriages
Reece's life began on a farm near Yukon, Oklahoma, where he was one of thirteen siblings. Financial hardships forced him to leave school after the ninth grade, taking up a job as a horseshoer to support his family. In 1979, Reece married Judy Flaming when she became pregnant, but their union was fraught with turmoil. He briefly joined the Oklahoma National Guard but did not stay long. The couple's marriage deteriorated as Reece became abusive, threatening Flaming with a knife and shotgun. The cycle of violence led to two divorces, with Flaming ultimately leaving him in 1982. Reece's subsequent marriage also ended in divorce, and he later found work as a truck driver.
The 1980s Crimes and Imprisonment
Reece's criminal activities escalated in April 1986 when he kidnapped and raped the 19-year-old daughter of a sheriff's deputy. The young woman's car had stalled en route to a gym, and Reece, posing as a Good Samaritan, lured her into his truck. He assaulted her across various parking lots before she managed to escape and alert the authorities. Charged with kidnapping and oral sodomy, Reece was initially released on bail. However, he struck again while awaiting trial, leading to his conviction on two counts of rape and a 25-year prison sentence. Procedural errors in his case reduced his sentence, leading to his parole in October 1996 after serving just 10 years.
1997: A Year of Killings
Upon his release, Reece moved into his mother's home in Anadarko, Oklahoma. By early 1997, he had regained his driver's license and relocated to Houston, Texas. It was during the summer of 1997 that Reece embarked on a gruesome killing spree.
Laura Smither
Reece's first known victim was 12-year-old Laura Smither, who disappeared on April 3, 1997. Reece initially claimed that he accidentally struck Smither with his car on a rainy day in Friendswood, Texas. However, he later admitted to strangling her, though he denied any sexual assault. Smither's body was discovered in a nearby lake, confirming the worst fears of her family and community.
Kelli Cox
On July 15, 1997, Reece encountered 20-year-old Kelli Cox at a gas station in Denton, Texas. A confrontation ensued, and Reece strangled Cox. Her remains were later found buried in the woods of Brazoria County. As with Smither, Reece insisted that Cox had not been sexually assaulted.
Tiffany Johnston
Tragedy struck again on July 26, 1997, when Tiffany Johnston's car was found abandoned at the Sunshine Car Wash in Bethany, Oklahoma. Witnesses noted Reece's frequent presence at the car wash. Johnston's body, showing signs of sexual assault, beating, and strangulation, was later found on a dirt road near I-40. Reece confessed to attacking Johnston after a chance encounter at the car wash, where he brutally assaulted her before disposing of her body. This crime would eventually lead to Reece's death sentence in 2021.
Jessica Cain
The final known victim of Reece's 1997 spree was 17-year-old Jessica Cain, who vanished on August 17, 1997. Last seen leaving a Bennigan's restaurant in Clear Lake City, Texas, her car was found abandoned on an interstate highway. Reece admitted to approaching Cain, and when she rejected him, he followed and ultimately killed her.
1997: Kidnapping and Second Imprisonment
In the fall of 1997, Reece's violent tendencies led to another crime when he attempted to kidnap 19-year-old Sandra Sapaugh in Webster, Texas. Sapaugh managed a daring escape, jumping from Reece's moving truck and sustaining severe injuries. Her ability to recall Reece's license plate under hypnosis led to his arrest. Convicted of kidnapping in 1998, Reece was sentenced to 60 years in prison, reigniting suspicions about his involvement in several disappearances and murders.
Identification and Confessions
After his second conviction, Reece's DNA was entered into the FBI's CODIS database, eventually linking him to Tiffany Johnston's murder in 2015. Under interrogation by Texas Ranger James Holland, Reece confessed to Johnston's murder and three additional murders in Houston during 1997. In exchange for his cooperation, Reece received promises from district attorneys in Denton and Galveston counties not to seek the death penalty. He provided maps of burial sites, leading authorities to the remains of Kelli Ann Cox and Jessica Cain. Despite his admissions, Reece maintained there was no sexual motive in many of the murders.
The Trials and Sentencing
Oklahoma Trial
In July 2016, Reece was extradited to Oklahoma for trial over Tiffany Johnston's murder. The trial, delayed by venue issues and the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed in May 2021. Witnesses included Johnston's family, law enforcement, and other victims of Reece's crimes. On May 28, 2021, Reece was found guilty and sentenced to death on August 19, 2021. His defense argued against the verdict, citing a broken plea deal, but the conviction stood.
Texas Trial
Following his Oklahoma conviction, Reece faced trial in Texas in early 2022. He pleaded guilty to the murders of Laura Smither, Jessica Cain, and Kelli Ann Cox. In June 2022, he received life sentences without parole for these crimes, solidifying his fate within the prison system.
Current Status
William Lewis Reece remains imprisoned in Texas. He has attempted to appeal his Oklahoma death sentence, claiming his confessions were coerced, but the appeals have been denied. His case remains a sobering reminder of the darkness that can lurk within individuals and the relentless pursuit of justice for victims and their families.
Sources
For more detailed information, you can refer to the original Wikipedia article on William Lewis Reece.
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First Murder Committed
William Reece kills 12-year-old Laura Smither in Friendswood, Texas.
Second Murder Committed
Reece strangles 20-year-old Kelli Cox in Denton, Texas.
Third Murder Committed
Reece murders 19-year-old Tiffany Johnston in Bethany, Oklahoma.
Fourth Murder Committed
Reece strangles 17-year-old Jessica Cain in Houston, Texas.
Kidnapping Conviction
Reece is convicted of kidnapping and sentenced to 60 years in prison.
DNA Match
Reece's DNA is matched to the murder of Tiffany Johnston, leading to charges.
Guilty Verdict
Reece is found guilty of the murder of Tiffany Johnston in Oklahoma.
Death Sentence
Reece is sentenced to death for the murder of Tiffany Johnston.
Life Sentences
Reece pleads guilty to the murders of Laura Smither, Kelli Cox, and Jessica Cain, receiving life sentences.
William Lewis Reece, an American serial killer and rapist, was active primarily in Oklahoma and Texas between April 3 and August 17, 1997, where he is linked to multiple murders and kidnappings. He was apprehended in 1997 and, after a lengthy investigation, was connected via DNA evidence to the cold case murder of a woman in Oklahoma in 2015, leading to his conviction and death sentence in 2021. Additionally, Reece pled guilty to three murders associated with the Texas Killing Fields, resulting in three life sentences in 2022. He is currently incarcerated at the Allan B. Polunsky Unit in Texas, awaiting execution in Oklahoma. Significant evidence includes DNA matches from the 1997 murder and corroborating witness testimonies from his earlier criminal activities.
Investigators and the public theorize that William Lewis Reece may be linked to additional unsolved murders in the Texas Killing Fields area, given his history and the nature of his crimes. There is speculation that he could have more victims across multiple states, as his trucker lifestyle allowed him to travel extensively. Some believe that his abusive behavior in personal relationships could indicate a pattern of violence that extends beyond the confirmed cases.
The Sinister Trail of William Lewis Reece: A True Crime Narrative
Introduction to the Case
William Lewis Reece, born on July 1, 1959, in Oklahoma, carved a dark path across the United States as a serial killer, rapist, and truck driver. His reign of terror spanned the states of Oklahoma and Texas, leaving a haunting legacy of brutality and death. As of now, Reece remains incarcerated in Texas, awaiting execution in Oklahoma for his heinous crimes. His conviction record includes first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, and theft, marking him as one of the most notorious criminals in recent U.S. history.
Early Life and Troubled Marriages
Reece's life began on a farm near Yukon, Oklahoma, where he was one of thirteen siblings. Financial hardships forced him to leave school after the ninth grade, taking up a job as a horseshoer to support his family. In 1979, Reece married Judy Flaming when she became pregnant, but their union was fraught with turmoil. He briefly joined the Oklahoma National Guard but did not stay long. The couple's marriage deteriorated as Reece became abusive, threatening Flaming with a knife and shotgun. The cycle of violence led to two divorces, with Flaming ultimately leaving him in 1982. Reece's subsequent marriage also ended in divorce, and he later found work as a truck driver.
The 1980s Crimes and Imprisonment
Reece's criminal activities escalated in April 1986 when he kidnapped and raped the 19-year-old daughter of a sheriff's deputy. The young woman's car had stalled en route to a gym, and Reece, posing as a Good Samaritan, lured her into his truck. He assaulted her across various parking lots before she managed to escape and alert the authorities. Charged with kidnapping and oral sodomy, Reece was initially released on bail. However, he struck again while awaiting trial, leading to his conviction on two counts of rape and a 25-year prison sentence. Procedural errors in his case reduced his sentence, leading to his parole in October 1996 after serving just 10 years.
1997: A Year of Killings
Upon his release, Reece moved into his mother's home in Anadarko, Oklahoma. By early 1997, he had regained his driver's license and relocated to Houston, Texas. It was during the summer of 1997 that Reece embarked on a gruesome killing spree.
Laura Smither
Reece's first known victim was 12-year-old Laura Smither, who disappeared on April 3, 1997. Reece initially claimed that he accidentally struck Smither with his car on a rainy day in Friendswood, Texas. However, he later admitted to strangling her, though he denied any sexual assault. Smither's body was discovered in a nearby lake, confirming the worst fears of her family and community.
Kelli Cox
On July 15, 1997, Reece encountered 20-year-old Kelli Cox at a gas station in Denton, Texas. A confrontation ensued, and Reece strangled Cox. Her remains were later found buried in the woods of Brazoria County. As with Smither, Reece insisted that Cox had not been sexually assaulted.
Tiffany Johnston
Tragedy struck again on July 26, 1997, when Tiffany Johnston's car was found abandoned at the Sunshine Car Wash in Bethany, Oklahoma. Witnesses noted Reece's frequent presence at the car wash. Johnston's body, showing signs of sexual assault, beating, and strangulation, was later found on a dirt road near I-40. Reece confessed to attacking Johnston after a chance encounter at the car wash, where he brutally assaulted her before disposing of her body. This crime would eventually lead to Reece's death sentence in 2021.
Jessica Cain
The final known victim of Reece's 1997 spree was 17-year-old Jessica Cain, who vanished on August 17, 1997. Last seen leaving a Bennigan's restaurant in Clear Lake City, Texas, her car was found abandoned on an interstate highway. Reece admitted to approaching Cain, and when she rejected him, he followed and ultimately killed her.
1997: Kidnapping and Second Imprisonment
In the fall of 1997, Reece's violent tendencies led to another crime when he attempted to kidnap 19-year-old Sandra Sapaugh in Webster, Texas. Sapaugh managed a daring escape, jumping from Reece's moving truck and sustaining severe injuries. Her ability to recall Reece's license plate under hypnosis led to his arrest. Convicted of kidnapping in 1998, Reece was sentenced to 60 years in prison, reigniting suspicions about his involvement in several disappearances and murders.
Identification and Confessions
After his second conviction, Reece's DNA was entered into the FBI's CODIS database, eventually linking him to Tiffany Johnston's murder in 2015. Under interrogation by Texas Ranger James Holland, Reece confessed to Johnston's murder and three additional murders in Houston during 1997. In exchange for his cooperation, Reece received promises from district attorneys in Denton and Galveston counties not to seek the death penalty. He provided maps of burial sites, leading authorities to the remains of Kelli Ann Cox and Jessica Cain. Despite his admissions, Reece maintained there was no sexual motive in many of the murders.
The Trials and Sentencing
Oklahoma Trial
In July 2016, Reece was extradited to Oklahoma for trial over Tiffany Johnston's murder. The trial, delayed by venue issues and the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed in May 2021. Witnesses included Johnston's family, law enforcement, and other victims of Reece's crimes. On May 28, 2021, Reece was found guilty and sentenced to death on August 19, 2021. His defense argued against the verdict, citing a broken plea deal, but the conviction stood.
Texas Trial
Following his Oklahoma conviction, Reece faced trial in Texas in early 2022. He pleaded guilty to the murders of Laura Smither, Jessica Cain, and Kelli Ann Cox. In June 2022, he received life sentences without parole for these crimes, solidifying his fate within the prison system.
Current Status
William Lewis Reece remains imprisoned in Texas. He has attempted to appeal his Oklahoma death sentence, claiming his confessions were coerced, but the appeals have been denied. His case remains a sobering reminder of the darkness that can lurk within individuals and the relentless pursuit of justice for victims and their families.
Sources
For more detailed information, you can refer to the original Wikipedia article on William Lewis Reece.
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 Reece kills 12-year-old Laura Smither in Friendswood, Texas.
Second Murder Committed
Reece strangles 20-year-old Kelli Cox in Denton, Texas.
Third Murder Committed
Reece murders 19-year-old Tiffany Johnston in Bethany, Oklahoma.
Fourth Murder Committed
Reece strangles 17-year-old Jessica Cain in Houston, Texas.
Kidnapping Conviction
Reece is convicted of kidnapping and sentenced to 60 years in prison.
DNA Match
Reece's DNA is matched to the murder of Tiffany Johnston, leading to charges.
Guilty Verdict
Reece is found guilty of the murder of Tiffany Johnston in Oklahoma.
Death Sentence
Reece is sentenced to death for the murder of Tiffany Johnston.
Life Sentences
Reece pleads guilty to the murders of Laura Smither, Kelli Cox, and Jessica Cain, receiving life sentences.