William Pierce (Serial Killer)
Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
North Augusta, South Carolina
TIME PERIOD
June 1970 - January 1971
VICTIMS
9 confirmed
William Joseph Pierce Jr. was a serial killer responsible for at least nine murders across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia between June 1970 and January 1971. He was apprehended on March 8, 1971, following a series of investigations linking him to the crimes. After confessing to the murders, Pierce was convicted and sentenced to multiple life terms in prison; however, he later recanted his confession in 1974, with all subsequent appeals for retrial being denied. Pierce remained incarcerated until his death on May 31, 2020, and significant evidence included forensic links to the crime scenes and witness testimonies that corroborated his involvement in the murders.
William Pierce is believed to have committed his murders due to a combination of his troubled upbringing, including severe emotional and physical abuse from his mother, and his low IQ, which may have contributed to his inability to cope with societal pressures. Some speculate that his military service may have exacerbated underlying psychological issues, leading to his violent behavior. Additionally, there are theories that his renouncement of his confession in 1974 was an attempt to manipulate the legal system, as he continued to seek retrials despite the overwhelming evidence against him.
The Twisted Path of William Pierce: A Serial Killer's Story
Early Life and Troubled Beginnings
William Joseph Pierce Jr., born on October 11, 1931, in the small town of Midville, Georgia, was a product of his circumstances. The Great Depression left his family struggling financially, and hunger and poverty were constant companions throughout his childhood. His parents' turbulent marriage ended in divorce in 1945, leaving young William in the care of his authoritarian mother, who frequently subjected him to physical abuse.
Pierce's academic journey was marred by challenges. An IQ test during his school years revealed a score of 70, indicative of below-average intelligence. Unsurprisingly, he dropped out after ninth grade in 1948 and began working for the Department of Transport and Road Facilities. The job was short-lived, as he soon enlisted in the Army. However, his military career was cut short after just three months when his mother presented questionable medical documents leading to his discharge for health reasons.
Back in civilian life, Pierce found employment at a local car rental service, where colleagues noted his awkward demeanor. Despite a positive work record, his social skills were lacking. He married, divorced swiftly, and moved to Swainsboro, Georgia, where he worked at a furniture factory and other low-skill jobs. During the late 1950s, a head injury from an industrial accident resulted in a concussion, after which Pierce exhibited increasingly deviant behavior and signs of a personality disorder.
His criminal record began in 1959 with a theft conviction, resulting in a five-year prison sentence. After serving 32 months, he was paroled in late 1961, only to be rearrested for robbery and arson. In 1962, he was sentenced to 20 years, with the possibility of parole after ten. Despite showing signs of mental illness, a psychologist deemed him potentially dangerous. Yet, due to good behavior, Pierce was paroled in May 1970.
The Murder Spree
The summer of 1970 marked the beginning of a brutal and senseless killing spree. In June, Pierce appeared in North Augusta, South Carolina. On June 27, he broke into a home intending to rob it and encountered 18-year-old Ann Goodwin, a babysitter from Winthrop University. After a struggle, Pierce sexually assaulted and shot her. Goodwin succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital, and Pierce made off with valuables from the house.
The horror continued on December 18, when 13-year-old Margaret 'Peg' Cuttino disappeared in Sumter, South Carolina. Her parents, including State Representative James Cuttino, reported her missing after she failed to meet her sister for lunch. Tragically, her body was found on December 30, ten miles from where she vanished, having been beaten and suffocated.
Two days after Peg's disappearance, Pierce struck again. On December 20, he robbed a service station in Vidalia, Georgia, and murdered 59-year-old employee Joe Fletcher for a mere $78.
The violence escalated into the new year. On January 12, 1971, Pierce robbed a store in Soperton, Georgia, and killed 51-year-old Lacey Tigpen to eliminate witnesses. Just ten days later, on January 22, he abducted 32-year-old Helen Wilcox from Hazlehurst, Georgia. Pierce assaulted and murdered Wilcox, burying her in a shallow grave in the woods, which was only discovered after his arrest.
Pierce's bloodlust showed no signs of abating. On January 28, he committed another robbery in Baxley, Georgia, killing 60-year-old store owner Vivian Miles and severely injuring her five-year-old granddaughter. As he fled, a truck driver named Joe Overstreet witnessed the crime. Although Pierce tried to kill Overstreet by shooting at him, the driver survived and later provided police with a description of Pierce.
Capture and Confessions
The law finally caught up with Pierce on March 8, 1971, after a robbery at a Baxley gas station. During an intense interrogation, he confessed to six murders, including those of Ann Goodwin and Peg Cuttino. Pierce also admitted to three more slayings: the strangulation of 17-year-old Kathy Jo Anderson, missing since December 22, 1970, from Columbia, South Carolina; the August 21, 1970, shooting of 20-year-old Virginia Carol Mains in Gastonia, North Carolina; and the August 10, 1970, ax murder of 60-year-old James L. Sires during a service station robbery in Beaufort, South Carolina.
Legal Proceedings and Trials
Pierce's trial commenced in September 1971. His confession, bolstered by items belonging to the victims found in his apartment and car, secured his conviction. Joe Overstreet's eyewitness testimony further implicated Pierce in Vivian Miles' murder, resulting in a life sentence.
In March 1972, Pierce faced trial in Jeff Davis County for Helen Wilcox's murder. Despite retracting his confession and claiming coercion and intoxication, he was convicted and received another life sentence. Extradited to South Carolina in 1973, Pierce was tried for the remaining murders, each time receiving additional life sentences.
Later Developments and Death
Despite retracting his confession in 1974, all appeals for new trials were denied. In 1977, another serial killer, Donald Henry Gaskins, confessed to Peg Cuttino's murder, only to retract his statement. Pierce's attorneys argued for a retrial, citing witnesses who placed Gaskins near the crime scene while Pierce was in Georgia. Nonetheless, the courts rejected the appeal.
William Pierce died on May 31, 2020, at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification State Prison in Jackson, Georgia, closing the chapter on a life marked by tragedy and violence.
In Popular Culture
William Pierce's story reached a broader audience in 2019 when he was portrayed by Michael Filipowich in the second season of the Netflix series "Mindhunter."
Sources
- The True Story of William "Junior" Pierce From 'Mindhunter'
- CRIME HUNTER: Serial killer Junior Pierce a loser in life and death
- Mindhunter Featured a Real Photograph of Serial Killer William 'Junior' Pierce
- The story of William Joseph Pierce
- Cold-blooded killer
- Pierce confesses crimes
- Georgia Burglary Parolee Accused of Ninth Slaying
- Accused Killer of 9 Goes on Trial Monday
- Pierce Denied New Trial in Cuttino Murder Case
- Attorneys ask judge to overturn murder conviction
- Serial Killer Dies in Prison at Age 89
- Mindhunter season 2: Who is serial killer William Junior Pierce?
For further reading, visit the Wikipedia page on William Pierce.
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First Murder Committed
William Pierce sexually assaults and murders Ann Goodwin in North Augusta, SC.
Peg Cuttino Disappearance
Thirteen-year-old Margaret 'Peg' Cuttino goes missing; her body is found later.
Murder of Lacey Tigpen
Pierce robs a store and kills administrator Lacey Tigpen to eliminate a witness.
Abduction of Helen Wilcox
Pierce abducts, sexually assaults, and murders Helen Wilcox, burying her body.
Arrest of William Pierce
Pierce is arrested after robbing a gas station; he confesses to multiple murders.
Trial Begins
William Pierce's trial begins, featuring his confession and evidence linking him to the crimes.
Conviction for Helen Wilcox Murder
Pierce is convicted of the murder of Helen Wilcox and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Confession Renounced
Pierce renounces his confession, claiming it was coerced; appeals for retrial are denied.
Death of William Pierce
William Pierce dies in prison at the age of 88.
William Joseph Pierce Jr. was a serial killer responsible for at least nine murders across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia between June 1970 and January 1971. He was apprehended on March 8, 1971, following a series of investigations linking him to the crimes. After confessing to the murders, Pierce was convicted and sentenced to multiple life terms in prison; however, he later recanted his confession in 1974, with all subsequent appeals for retrial being denied. Pierce remained incarcerated until his death on May 31, 2020, and significant evidence included forensic links to the crime scenes and witness testimonies that corroborated his involvement in the murders.
William Pierce is believed to have committed his murders due to a combination of his troubled upbringing, including severe emotional and physical abuse from his mother, and his low IQ, which may have contributed to his inability to cope with societal pressures. Some speculate that his military service may have exacerbated underlying psychological issues, leading to his violent behavior. Additionally, there are theories that his renouncement of his confession in 1974 was an attempt to manipulate the legal system, as he continued to seek retrials despite the overwhelming evidence against him.
The Twisted Path of William Pierce: A Serial Killer's Story
Early Life and Troubled Beginnings
William Joseph Pierce Jr., born on October 11, 1931, in the small town of Midville, Georgia, was a product of his circumstances. The Great Depression left his family struggling financially, and hunger and poverty were constant companions throughout his childhood. His parents' turbulent marriage ended in divorce in 1945, leaving young William in the care of his authoritarian mother, who frequently subjected him to physical abuse.
Pierce's academic journey was marred by challenges. An IQ test during his school years revealed a score of 70, indicative of below-average intelligence. Unsurprisingly, he dropped out after ninth grade in 1948 and began working for the Department of Transport and Road Facilities. The job was short-lived, as he soon enlisted in the Army. However, his military career was cut short after just three months when his mother presented questionable medical documents leading to his discharge for health reasons.
Back in civilian life, Pierce found employment at a local car rental service, where colleagues noted his awkward demeanor. Despite a positive work record, his social skills were lacking. He married, divorced swiftly, and moved to Swainsboro, Georgia, where he worked at a furniture factory and other low-skill jobs. During the late 1950s, a head injury from an industrial accident resulted in a concussion, after which Pierce exhibited increasingly deviant behavior and signs of a personality disorder.
His criminal record began in 1959 with a theft conviction, resulting in a five-year prison sentence. After serving 32 months, he was paroled in late 1961, only to be rearrested for robbery and arson. In 1962, he was sentenced to 20 years, with the possibility of parole after ten. Despite showing signs of mental illness, a psychologist deemed him potentially dangerous. Yet, due to good behavior, Pierce was paroled in May 1970.
The Murder Spree
The summer of 1970 marked the beginning of a brutal and senseless killing spree. In June, Pierce appeared in North Augusta, South Carolina. On June 27, he broke into a home intending to rob it and encountered 18-year-old Ann Goodwin, a babysitter from Winthrop University. After a struggle, Pierce sexually assaulted and shot her. Goodwin succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital, and Pierce made off with valuables from the house.
The horror continued on December 18, when 13-year-old Margaret 'Peg' Cuttino disappeared in Sumter, South Carolina. Her parents, including State Representative James Cuttino, reported her missing after she failed to meet her sister for lunch. Tragically, her body was found on December 30, ten miles from where she vanished, having been beaten and suffocated.
Two days after Peg's disappearance, Pierce struck again. On December 20, he robbed a service station in Vidalia, Georgia, and murdered 59-year-old employee Joe Fletcher for a mere $78.
The violence escalated into the new year. On January 12, 1971, Pierce robbed a store in Soperton, Georgia, and killed 51-year-old Lacey Tigpen to eliminate witnesses. Just ten days later, on January 22, he abducted 32-year-old Helen Wilcox from Hazlehurst, Georgia. Pierce assaulted and murdered Wilcox, burying her in a shallow grave in the woods, which was only discovered after his arrest.
Pierce's bloodlust showed no signs of abating. On January 28, he committed another robbery in Baxley, Georgia, killing 60-year-old store owner Vivian Miles and severely injuring her five-year-old granddaughter. As he fled, a truck driver named Joe Overstreet witnessed the crime. Although Pierce tried to kill Overstreet by shooting at him, the driver survived and later provided police with a description of Pierce.
Capture and Confessions
The law finally caught up with Pierce on March 8, 1971, after a robbery at a Baxley gas station. During an intense interrogation, he confessed to six murders, including those of Ann Goodwin and Peg Cuttino. Pierce also admitted to three more slayings: the strangulation of 17-year-old Kathy Jo Anderson, missing since December 22, 1970, from Columbia, South Carolina; the August 21, 1970, shooting of 20-year-old Virginia Carol Mains in Gastonia, North Carolina; and the August 10, 1970, ax murder of 60-year-old James L. Sires during a service station robbery in Beaufort, South Carolina.
Legal Proceedings and Trials
Pierce's trial commenced in September 1971. His confession, bolstered by items belonging to the victims found in his apartment and car, secured his conviction. Joe Overstreet's eyewitness testimony further implicated Pierce in Vivian Miles' murder, resulting in a life sentence.
In March 1972, Pierce faced trial in Jeff Davis County for Helen Wilcox's murder. Despite retracting his confession and claiming coercion and intoxication, he was convicted and received another life sentence. Extradited to South Carolina in 1973, Pierce was tried for the remaining murders, each time receiving additional life sentences.
Later Developments and Death
Despite retracting his confession in 1974, all appeals for new trials were denied. In 1977, another serial killer, Donald Henry Gaskins, confessed to Peg Cuttino's murder, only to retract his statement. Pierce's attorneys argued for a retrial, citing witnesses who placed Gaskins near the crime scene while Pierce was in Georgia. Nonetheless, the courts rejected the appeal.
William Pierce died on May 31, 2020, at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification State Prison in Jackson, Georgia, closing the chapter on a life marked by tragedy and violence.
In Popular Culture
William Pierce's story reached a broader audience in 2019 when he was portrayed by Michael Filipowich in the second season of the Netflix series "Mindhunter."
Sources
- The True Story of William "Junior" Pierce From 'Mindhunter'
- CRIME HUNTER: Serial killer Junior Pierce a loser in life and death
- Mindhunter Featured a Real Photograph of Serial Killer William 'Junior' Pierce
- The story of William Joseph Pierce
- Cold-blooded killer
- Pierce confesses crimes
- Georgia Burglary Parolee Accused of Ninth Slaying
- Accused Killer of 9 Goes on Trial Monday
- Pierce Denied New Trial in Cuttino Murder Case
- Attorneys ask judge to overturn murder conviction
- Serial Killer Dies in Prison at Age 89
- Mindhunter season 2: Who is serial killer William Junior Pierce?
For further reading, visit the Wikipedia page on William Pierce.
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 Committed
William Pierce sexually assaults and murders Ann Goodwin in North Augusta, SC.
Peg Cuttino Disappearance
Thirteen-year-old Margaret 'Peg' Cuttino goes missing; her body is found later.
Murder of Lacey Tigpen
Pierce robs a store and kills administrator Lacey Tigpen to eliminate a witness.
Abduction of Helen Wilcox
Pierce abducts, sexually assaults, and murders Helen Wilcox, burying her body.
Arrest of William Pierce
Pierce is arrested after robbing a gas station; he confesses to multiple murders.
Trial Begins
William Pierce's trial begins, featuring his confession and evidence linking him to the crimes.
Conviction for Helen Wilcox Murder
Pierce is convicted of the murder of Helen Wilcox and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Confession Renounced
Pierce renounces his confession, claiming it was coerced; appeals for retrial are denied.
Death of William Pierce
William Pierce dies in prison at the age of 88.