William Scott Day
Spree Killer Manhunt
CLASSIFICATION: Spree Killing
LOCATION
United States
TIME PERIOD
December 1986 - January 1987
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
William Scott Day, an American prison escapee and spree killer, committed a series of murders across five states between December 9, 1986, and January 12, 1987, resulting in at least six confirmed deaths. His crime spree began following his escape from a psychiatric facility in Michigan, where he had been undergoing treatment. Day was apprehended on January 12, 1987, in Louisiana, after evading law enforcement for 39 days. He was subsequently convicted of one count of murder in Tennessee and sentenced to life imprisonment, with other charges dropped. Significant evidence from the crime scenes and witness testimonies linked Day to the murders, solidifying his role as a dangerous fugitive during his time on the run.
William Scott Day is believed to have been motivated by a desire for freedom and control during his spree, with some theorizing that his past traumas and experiences in the military contributed to his violent behavior. Others speculate that his intelligence and charm allowed him to manipulate situations and people, enabling his escape and subsequent killings. Additionally, there is speculation about the possibility of more victims, as the total number of his victims is estimated to be between six and eight, suggesting he may have evaded detection in other cases.
The Deadly Odyssey of William Scott Day
In the world of true crime, few stories are as chilling and complex as the tale of William Scott Day, an American spree killer whose rampage across the United States in the winter of 1986-1987 left a trail of death and bewilderment. Born on October 21, 1951, on an American military base in Japan, Day's life seemed destined for infamy from the start. This narrative will dissect every detail of his life, crimes, and the eventual end of his tumultuous journey.
Early Life and Path to Crime
William Scott Day's early life unfolded under the shadow of his father's military career in Japan. With a keen intellect and a penchant for literary works by authors like Oscar Wilde and Walt Whitman, Day's potential seemed boundless. However, the death of his father during his teenage years marked a significant turning point. Relocating to Michigan, Day enlisted in the Marine Corps, only to desert soon after. His brief tenure in Flat Rock ended in disgrace when he was arrested for attempted rape and kidnapping. Convicted, Day served time at the Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility before escaping and ultimately earning parole in 1974.
The following years saw Day embroiled in a cycle of crime and incarceration. Between 1976 and 1982, his criminal activities ranged from heroin possession and theft to kidnapping and check fraud. His ability to escape custody only added to his notoriety. In 1982, Day's audacity reached new heights when he broke out of a prison camp in Caro, Michigan, and kidnapped an elderly woman, leaving her tied to a tree after robbing her.
It was during a stint at the Center For Forensic Psychiatry in Ypsilanti, where Day was treated for depression, that he formed a bond with Thomas Frederick Fortunato, a long-serving security worker. Day's charm and intelligence won over Fortunato, setting the stage for a daring escape.
The Great Escape
As the clock ticked towards his return to the Michigan State Prison in Jackson, Day saw an opportunity in Fortunato's growing unrest. Fortunato, disillusioned by the conditions at the center, and possibly enticed by Day's charisma or the potential thrill, agreed to assist in Day's escape. On December 4, 1986, exploiting his position, Fortunato smuggled Day out of the facility hidden in a laundry cart.
The pair fled to Toledo, Ohio, and then to Louisville, Kentucky. Their alliance was short-lived; Day abandoned Fortunato, absconding with their money and vehicle. Stranded and penniless, Fortunato eventually turned himself in to the FBI in Tampa, Florida, admitting his role in the escape. His confession led to a 2.5-year sentence for aiding Day.
The Murderous Spree
With freedom came a deadly spree. Day's first known victim was Mary Catherine Strobel, a 74-year-old volunteer worker in Nashville, Tennessee. On December 9, 1986, Day lured Strobel into her car under the pretense of offering a ride, only to brutally murder her near a rescue mission. Her body, hidden in the trunk of her car, marked the beginning of a violent cross-country journey.
Traveling to San Antonio, Texas, Day befriended Roberto Arzapalo-Alcoser, a retired mechanic. Their camaraderie ended in violence when Day attacked Arzapalo-Alcoser in Tucson, Arizona, stealing his money and leaving him fatally injured.
In Marianna, Florida, Day's killing spree continued with the murder of Evan Johnson, a pawn shop clerk. Using deception, Day evaded immediate arrest and proceeded to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he killed Andrew McClelland, a local job seeker.
Day's final victim was Stanley Robertson in Fort Stockton, Texas, on January 12, 1987. After murdering Robertson, Day's run came to an abrupt end when a patrolman, suspicious of Day's bloodstained attire and dubious story, apprehended him during a routine check.
Arrest, Trial, and Imprisonment
In custody, William Scott Day confessed to the murders, claiming eight victims in total. His admissions correlated with unsolved homicides across multiple states, cementing his infamy. Facing charges in Nashville for Strobel's murder, Day opted not to contest extradition to Tennessee, where the prospect of a life sentence loomed larger than the death penalty he might face in Texas.
The trial in Tennessee was a media spectacle, with defense attorneys pushing for a change of venue due to extensive publicity. Despite their efforts, Day was convicted and handed three life sentences without parole—a decision that aligned with the Strobel family's anti-death penalty stance.
The End of a Violent Saga
William Scott Day's life concluded behind bars at the West Tennessee State Penitentiary, where he died of natural causes on February 4, 2006. His death marked the close of a chapter that had left an indelible mark on the annals of American crime.
Sources
For more detailed information about William Scott Day, visit the Wikipedia article.
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Prison Escape
William Scott Day escapes from a mental health facility with the help of a security worker.
First Murder
Day murders 74-year-old Mary Catherine Strobel in Nashville, Tennessee.
Accomplice Turns In
Thomas Fortunato, Day's accomplice, turns himself in to the FBI.
Christmas in San Diego
Day spends Christmas entertaining Taiwanese students in San Diego.
Pawn Shop Murder
Day kills pawn shop clerk Evan Johnson in Marianna, Florida.
Final Murder
Day murders Stanley Robertson in Texas before being arrested.
Arrest
Day is arrested by police after a traffic stop reveals blood on his clothes.
Conviction
Day is convicted of murder and sentenced to three life terms without parole.
Death in Prison
William Scott Day dies from natural causes in prison.
William Scott Day, an American prison escapee and spree killer, committed a series of murders across five states between December 9, 1986, and January 12, 1987, resulting in at least six confirmed deaths. His crime spree began following his escape from a psychiatric facility in Michigan, where he had been undergoing treatment. Day was apprehended on January 12, 1987, in Louisiana, after evading law enforcement for 39 days. He was subsequently convicted of one count of murder in Tennessee and sentenced to life imprisonment, with other charges dropped. Significant evidence from the crime scenes and witness testimonies linked Day to the murders, solidifying his role as a dangerous fugitive during his time on the run.
William Scott Day is believed to have been motivated by a desire for freedom and control during his spree, with some theorizing that his past traumas and experiences in the military contributed to his violent behavior. Others speculate that his intelligence and charm allowed him to manipulate situations and people, enabling his escape and subsequent killings. Additionally, there is speculation about the possibility of more victims, as the total number of his victims is estimated to be between six and eight, suggesting he may have evaded detection in other cases.
The Deadly Odyssey of William Scott Day
In the world of true crime, few stories are as chilling and complex as the tale of William Scott Day, an American spree killer whose rampage across the United States in the winter of 1986-1987 left a trail of death and bewilderment. Born on October 21, 1951, on an American military base in Japan, Day's life seemed destined for infamy from the start. This narrative will dissect every detail of his life, crimes, and the eventual end of his tumultuous journey.
Early Life and Path to Crime
William Scott Day's early life unfolded under the shadow of his father's military career in Japan. With a keen intellect and a penchant for literary works by authors like Oscar Wilde and Walt Whitman, Day's potential seemed boundless. However, the death of his father during his teenage years marked a significant turning point. Relocating to Michigan, Day enlisted in the Marine Corps, only to desert soon after. His brief tenure in Flat Rock ended in disgrace when he was arrested for attempted rape and kidnapping. Convicted, Day served time at the Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility before escaping and ultimately earning parole in 1974.
The following years saw Day embroiled in a cycle of crime and incarceration. Between 1976 and 1982, his criminal activities ranged from heroin possession and theft to kidnapping and check fraud. His ability to escape custody only added to his notoriety. In 1982, Day's audacity reached new heights when he broke out of a prison camp in Caro, Michigan, and kidnapped an elderly woman, leaving her tied to a tree after robbing her.
It was during a stint at the Center For Forensic Psychiatry in Ypsilanti, where Day was treated for depression, that he formed a bond with Thomas Frederick Fortunato, a long-serving security worker. Day's charm and intelligence won over Fortunato, setting the stage for a daring escape.
The Great Escape
As the clock ticked towards his return to the Michigan State Prison in Jackson, Day saw an opportunity in Fortunato's growing unrest. Fortunato, disillusioned by the conditions at the center, and possibly enticed by Day's charisma or the potential thrill, agreed to assist in Day's escape. On December 4, 1986, exploiting his position, Fortunato smuggled Day out of the facility hidden in a laundry cart.
The pair fled to Toledo, Ohio, and then to Louisville, Kentucky. Their alliance was short-lived; Day abandoned Fortunato, absconding with their money and vehicle. Stranded and penniless, Fortunato eventually turned himself in to the FBI in Tampa, Florida, admitting his role in the escape. His confession led to a 2.5-year sentence for aiding Day.
The Murderous Spree
With freedom came a deadly spree. Day's first known victim was Mary Catherine Strobel, a 74-year-old volunteer worker in Nashville, Tennessee. On December 9, 1986, Day lured Strobel into her car under the pretense of offering a ride, only to brutally murder her near a rescue mission. Her body, hidden in the trunk of her car, marked the beginning of a violent cross-country journey.
Traveling to San Antonio, Texas, Day befriended Roberto Arzapalo-Alcoser, a retired mechanic. Their camaraderie ended in violence when Day attacked Arzapalo-Alcoser in Tucson, Arizona, stealing his money and leaving him fatally injured.
In Marianna, Florida, Day's killing spree continued with the murder of Evan Johnson, a pawn shop clerk. Using deception, Day evaded immediate arrest and proceeded to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he killed Andrew McClelland, a local job seeker.
Day's final victim was Stanley Robertson in Fort Stockton, Texas, on January 12, 1987. After murdering Robertson, Day's run came to an abrupt end when a patrolman, suspicious of Day's bloodstained attire and dubious story, apprehended him during a routine check.
Arrest, Trial, and Imprisonment
In custody, William Scott Day confessed to the murders, claiming eight victims in total. His admissions correlated with unsolved homicides across multiple states, cementing his infamy. Facing charges in Nashville for Strobel's murder, Day opted not to contest extradition to Tennessee, where the prospect of a life sentence loomed larger than the death penalty he might face in Texas.
The trial in Tennessee was a media spectacle, with defense attorneys pushing for a change of venue due to extensive publicity. Despite their efforts, Day was convicted and handed three life sentences without parole—a decision that aligned with the Strobel family's anti-death penalty stance.
The End of a Violent Saga
William Scott Day's life concluded behind bars at the West Tennessee State Penitentiary, where he died of natural causes on February 4, 2006. His death marked the close of a chapter that had left an indelible mark on the annals of American crime.
Sources
For more detailed information about William Scott Day, visit the Wikipedia article.
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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Prison Escape
William Scott Day escapes from a mental health facility with the help of a security worker.
First Murder
Day murders 74-year-old Mary Catherine Strobel in Nashville, Tennessee.
Accomplice Turns In
Thomas Fortunato, Day's accomplice, turns himself in to the FBI.
Christmas in San Diego
Day spends Christmas entertaining Taiwanese students in San Diego.
Pawn Shop Murder
Day kills pawn shop clerk Evan Johnson in Marianna, Florida.
Final Murder
Day murders Stanley Robertson in Texas before being arrested.
Arrest
Day is arrested by police after a traffic stop reveals blood on his clothes.
Conviction
Day is convicted of murder and sentenced to three life terms without parole.
Death in Prison
William Scott Day dies from natural causes in prison.