William Wickline
American Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
West Virginia, Ohio
TIME PERIOD
1979-1982
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
William Dean Wickline Jr., also known as "The Butcher," was a serial killer linked to at least three murders in West Virginia and Ohio between 1979 and 1982. He was apprehended in 1982, convicted of aggravated murder, and sentenced to death, ultimately being executed by lethal injection on March 30, 2004. The case is considered solved, with Wickline's criminal activities confirmed through his convictions.
The content discusses William Wickline's life and criminal activities, noting that he was linked to at least three violent murders but speculates on the broader implications of his criminal behavior and psychological profile. Community theories may arise around the motivations behind his actions, the effectiveness of the justice system in handling repeat offenders, and the psychological transformation he underwent during his time in prison. Additionally, the absence of bodies in some cases could lead to speculation about the true extent of his criminal activities and the potential for additional undiscovered victims.
William Wickline
The Butcher: A Chilling Tale of a Serial Killer
William Dean Wickline Jr. (March 15, 1952 – March 30, 2004), infamously known as The Butcher, was an American serial killer and career criminal whose violent legacy is etched in the grim annals of West Virginia and Ohio crime history. Between 1979 and 1982, Wickline was linked to at least three brutal murders, with the bodies of some victims never being found. Convicted for these heinous acts, he received the death penalty and was executed in 2004.
Quick Facts
- Born: March 15, 1952, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, U.S.
- Died: March 30, 2004 (aged 52), Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, Lucasville, Ohio, U.S.
- Cause of Death: Execution by lethal injection
- Other Names: The Butcher
- Convictions: Aggravated murder (2 counts), Breaking and entering (3 counts), Grand theft, Drug law violation
- Criminal Penalty: Death
- Victims: 3–5+
- Span of Crimes: 1979–1982
- Country: United States
- States: West Virginia, Ohio
- Date Apprehended: 1982
Early Life
William Dean Wickline Jr. was born into a seemingly loving family as one of several sons to William Sr. and Irma Wickline (née Bolen) in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Early on, he showed promise as a student and athlete, even competing on his high school's wrestling team. However, by his teenage years, his academic performance plummeted, and he became known more for his mischief—his most notorious act being the egging of his principal's car.
Wickline's brush with law enforcement began young, with his first arrest occurring at age 19 in 1971. His criminal record would swell in the following years, accumulating at least nine arrests by 1984 for offenses ranging from burglary to dealing drugs and even running a prostitution ring. During these stints in various prisons across Ohio, Wickline engaged in weightlifting and delved into psychological studies, assimilating himself into the prison culture.
After being released in November 1979, a temporary breakup with his girlfriend catalyzed a dark transformation. His violent tendencies began to surface, marked by an alarming fascination with knives and aggressive behavior towards women. A friend even suggested Wickline participated in gruesome animal sacrifices, although this claim was never substantiated.
The Murders
Confirmed Murders
On November 11, 1979, the body of 34-year-old construction worker Charles Morgan Marsh was discovered in a hotel room in Parkersburg, West Virginia. The scene was chilling: Marsh's head had been decapitated and placed on the nightstand next to his headless body, which was handcuffed behind his back. An autopsy revealed that Marsh had died from strangulation using a telephone cord, and the clean cuts on his neck indicated that the murderer was likely skilled in butchery. What was especially eerie was the meticulous act of combing Marsh’s hair post-mortem—this detail added a layer of psychological horror to the already violent scene.
Investigators speculated that Marsh, known to be a drug dealer, was possibly the victim of a contract killing, perhaps orchestrated by a rival dealer. However, no suspects emerged at that time.
Fast forward to August 14, 1982, when Wickline and his girlfriend, Teresa Kemp, traveled to Columbus, Ohio. They intended to resolve a $6,000 drug debt with Christopher and Peggy Lerch, a couple immersed in the drug trade. Following a heated argument, Wickline lured Christopher into the bathroom under the pretense of fixing a clogged drain. In a shocking turn, he slashed Christopher's throat with a knife.
But Wickline wasn't done yet. Fearing that Peggy could identify him, he coerced Kemp into aiding him in what can only be described as a horrific act of violence. He threatened Kemp to hold Peggy's legs while he strangled her with a rope. After the brutal murders, Wickline transported the bodies to the bathtub, decapitating and dismembering them before disposing of the remains in various garbage containers throughout Franklin County. As a macabre trophy, Wickline kept Peggy's wedding ring, while the Lerches' bodies have never been recovered.
Trial, Imprisonment, and Execution
After the Lerches' disappearance, law enforcement caught a break when Wickline was arrested for breaking into a drug store in Nelsonville. This led to a sentence of a year and a half at the Pickaway Correctional Institution. Almost two years later, in December 1984, Teresa Kemp confessed to authorities about the Lerch murders, which led to Wickline’s indictment.
Before he could be charged, investigators linked him to the Marsh murder and proposed him as a suspect in other dismemberment cases. However, the trial focused solely on the Lerches’ murders, which began on July 30, 1985. Just over a week later, Wickline was found guilty on two counts of aggravated murder. On September 20, he received a death sentence for Peggy's murder and a life sentence for Christopher's murder, showing little emotion in response.
The charges against him for the Marsh murder were eventually dropped as he was sentenced to death. For the remainder of his life, Wickline filed numerous unsuccessful appeals in both state and federal courts.
After exhausting all options, he was executed by lethal injection at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility on March 30, 2004. His last meal was rather extravagant, consisting of an eight-ounce medium-rare filet mignon, old-fashioned potato salad, buttered rolls, fresh strawberries, shortcake, and butter pecan ice cream. Remarkably calm as the execution process began, Wickline gave a thumbs-up to his brothers in attendance. His supposed last words were, "May tomorrow see the courts shaped by more wisdom and less politics."
Suspected Murders
Beyond the confirmed murders for which Wickline was convicted, he was also considered a strong suspect in several other dismemberment cases that may have been drug-related. Notably:
Tory Gainer: The 1978 disappearance of this gambler from Fairfield County is linked to Wickline, with informants alleging he killed Gainer and disposed of his remains in various dumpsters.
Unidentified Man in Miami (January 1983): The remains of this man were discovered floating in a canal, and the medical examiner noted the precision of the cuts, suggesting a possible connection to Wickline’s violent tendencies.
Interestingly, three other murders initially suspected to involve Wickline were later attributed to different individuals.
John A. Muncy: This 15-year-old boy's dismembered body was found in Delaware County in October 1983. Investigators initially thought he may have been an innocent bystander caught in a drug deal gone wrong. In 2020, authorities identified Daniel Alan Anderson as Muncy’s killer, a violent sex offender who had died in 2013.
Annette Cooper and Todd Schultz: Their murders led to the wrongful conviction of Cooper's stepfather, Dale Johnston, who was sentenced to death in 1984. After years of legal battles and a questionable trial, Johnston was acquitted in 1990 and ultimately exonerated in 2008 when two other men confessed to the crimes.
See Also
- Capital punishment in Ohio
- Capital punishment in the United States
- List of murder convictions without a body
- List of people executed by lethal injection
- List of people executed in Ohio
- List of people executed in the United States in 2004
- List of serial killers in the United States
Sources
- James Drew (March 31, 2004). "State executes man who killed, dismembered 2". The Blade. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021.
- Bill Odinski (April 13, 1986). "Macabre tale of human butcher". Akron Beacon Journal, p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Double slaying trial opens". The Advocate. July 30, 1985 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Suspect in W. Va. decapitation may be linked to Ohio slayings". Akron Beacon Journal. December 6, 1984 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Man convicted in double slaying". Chillicothe Gazette. August 8, 1985 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Man gets death for beheading". Mansfield News Journal. September 21, 1985 – via Newspapers.com.
- Mandy Zatynski (March 30, 2004). "WICKLINE EXECUTED, WISHED WISDOM TO COURTS BEFOREHAND". The Lantern. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021.
- Dean Narcisco (April 29, 2020). "After 36 years, Delaware County detectives solve slaying of 15-year-old Columbus boy". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021.
- "Wrongly convicted Ohio man, 81, says death row was 'hell on earth'". The Guardian. March 11, 2015. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020.
This case encapsulates the terrifying reality of a serial killer, blending elements of psychological horror with the grim realities of drug-related violence. Wickline's life and crimes serve as a chilling reminder of the darkest aspects of human nature and the profound impact of criminal behavior on society.
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First Murder Committed
William Wickline kills Charles Morgan Marsh, decapitating him.
Arrest for Breaking and Entering
Wickline is arrested for breaking into a drug store, leading to his incarceration.
Double Murder of Lerches
Wickline murders Christopher and Peggy Lerch, dismembers their bodies.
Indicted for Lerch Murders
Wickline is indicted in the Lerch case after his girlfriend confesses.
Trial Begins
Wickline's trial for the Lerch murders begins.
Guilty Verdict
Wickline is found guilty on two counts of aggravated murder.
Sentenced to Death
Wickline is sentenced to death for Peggy's murder and life for Christopher's.
Executed
William Wickline is executed by lethal injection.
William Dean Wickline Jr., also known as "The Butcher," was a serial killer linked to at least three murders in West Virginia and Ohio between 1979 and 1982. He was apprehended in 1982, convicted of aggravated murder, and sentenced to death, ultimately being executed by lethal injection on March 30, 2004. The case is considered solved, with Wickline's criminal activities confirmed through his convictions.
The content discusses William Wickline's life and criminal activities, noting that he was linked to at least three violent murders but speculates on the broader implications of his criminal behavior and psychological profile. Community theories may arise around the motivations behind his actions, the effectiveness of the justice system in handling repeat offenders, and the psychological transformation he underwent during his time in prison. Additionally, the absence of bodies in some cases could lead to speculation about the true extent of his criminal activities and the potential for additional undiscovered victims.
William Wickline
The Butcher: A Chilling Tale of a Serial Killer
William Dean Wickline Jr. (March 15, 1952 – March 30, 2004), infamously known as The Butcher, was an American serial killer and career criminal whose violent legacy is etched in the grim annals of West Virginia and Ohio crime history. Between 1979 and 1982, Wickline was linked to at least three brutal murders, with the bodies of some victims never being found. Convicted for these heinous acts, he received the death penalty and was executed in 2004.
Quick Facts
- Born: March 15, 1952, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, U.S.
- Died: March 30, 2004 (aged 52), Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, Lucasville, Ohio, U.S.
- Cause of Death: Execution by lethal injection
- Other Names: The Butcher
- Convictions: Aggravated murder (2 counts), Breaking and entering (3 counts), Grand theft, Drug law violation
- Criminal Penalty: Death
- Victims: 3–5+
- Span of Crimes: 1979–1982
- Country: United States
- States: West Virginia, Ohio
- Date Apprehended: 1982
Early Life
William Dean Wickline Jr. was born into a seemingly loving family as one of several sons to William Sr. and Irma Wickline (née Bolen) in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Early on, he showed promise as a student and athlete, even competing on his high school's wrestling team. However, by his teenage years, his academic performance plummeted, and he became known more for his mischief—his most notorious act being the egging of his principal's car.
Wickline's brush with law enforcement began young, with his first arrest occurring at age 19 in 1971. His criminal record would swell in the following years, accumulating at least nine arrests by 1984 for offenses ranging from burglary to dealing drugs and even running a prostitution ring. During these stints in various prisons across Ohio, Wickline engaged in weightlifting and delved into psychological studies, assimilating himself into the prison culture.
After being released in November 1979, a temporary breakup with his girlfriend catalyzed a dark transformation. His violent tendencies began to surface, marked by an alarming fascination with knives and aggressive behavior towards women. A friend even suggested Wickline participated in gruesome animal sacrifices, although this claim was never substantiated.
The Murders
Confirmed Murders
On November 11, 1979, the body of 34-year-old construction worker Charles Morgan Marsh was discovered in a hotel room in Parkersburg, West Virginia. The scene was chilling: Marsh's head had been decapitated and placed on the nightstand next to his headless body, which was handcuffed behind his back. An autopsy revealed that Marsh had died from strangulation using a telephone cord, and the clean cuts on his neck indicated that the murderer was likely skilled in butchery. What was especially eerie was the meticulous act of combing Marsh’s hair post-mortem—this detail added a layer of psychological horror to the already violent scene.
Investigators speculated that Marsh, known to be a drug dealer, was possibly the victim of a contract killing, perhaps orchestrated by a rival dealer. However, no suspects emerged at that time.
Fast forward to August 14, 1982, when Wickline and his girlfriend, Teresa Kemp, traveled to Columbus, Ohio. They intended to resolve a $6,000 drug debt with Christopher and Peggy Lerch, a couple immersed in the drug trade. Following a heated argument, Wickline lured Christopher into the bathroom under the pretense of fixing a clogged drain. In a shocking turn, he slashed Christopher's throat with a knife.
But Wickline wasn't done yet. Fearing that Peggy could identify him, he coerced Kemp into aiding him in what can only be described as a horrific act of violence. He threatened Kemp to hold Peggy's legs while he strangled her with a rope. After the brutal murders, Wickline transported the bodies to the bathtub, decapitating and dismembering them before disposing of the remains in various garbage containers throughout Franklin County. As a macabre trophy, Wickline kept Peggy's wedding ring, while the Lerches' bodies have never been recovered.
Trial, Imprisonment, and Execution
After the Lerches' disappearance, law enforcement caught a break when Wickline was arrested for breaking into a drug store in Nelsonville. This led to a sentence of a year and a half at the Pickaway Correctional Institution. Almost two years later, in December 1984, Teresa Kemp confessed to authorities about the Lerch murders, which led to Wickline’s indictment.
Before he could be charged, investigators linked him to the Marsh murder and proposed him as a suspect in other dismemberment cases. However, the trial focused solely on the Lerches’ murders, which began on July 30, 1985. Just over a week later, Wickline was found guilty on two counts of aggravated murder. On September 20, he received a death sentence for Peggy's murder and a life sentence for Christopher's murder, showing little emotion in response.
The charges against him for the Marsh murder were eventually dropped as he was sentenced to death. For the remainder of his life, Wickline filed numerous unsuccessful appeals in both state and federal courts.
After exhausting all options, he was executed by lethal injection at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility on March 30, 2004. His last meal was rather extravagant, consisting of an eight-ounce medium-rare filet mignon, old-fashioned potato salad, buttered rolls, fresh strawberries, shortcake, and butter pecan ice cream. Remarkably calm as the execution process began, Wickline gave a thumbs-up to his brothers in attendance. His supposed last words were, "May tomorrow see the courts shaped by more wisdom and less politics."
Suspected Murders
Beyond the confirmed murders for which Wickline was convicted, he was also considered a strong suspect in several other dismemberment cases that may have been drug-related. Notably:
Tory Gainer: The 1978 disappearance of this gambler from Fairfield County is linked to Wickline, with informants alleging he killed Gainer and disposed of his remains in various dumpsters.
Unidentified Man in Miami (January 1983): The remains of this man were discovered floating in a canal, and the medical examiner noted the precision of the cuts, suggesting a possible connection to Wickline’s violent tendencies.
Interestingly, three other murders initially suspected to involve Wickline were later attributed to different individuals.
John A. Muncy: This 15-year-old boy's dismembered body was found in Delaware County in October 1983. Investigators initially thought he may have been an innocent bystander caught in a drug deal gone wrong. In 2020, authorities identified Daniel Alan Anderson as Muncy’s killer, a violent sex offender who had died in 2013.
Annette Cooper and Todd Schultz: Their murders led to the wrongful conviction of Cooper's stepfather, Dale Johnston, who was sentenced to death in 1984. After years of legal battles and a questionable trial, Johnston was acquitted in 1990 and ultimately exonerated in 2008 when two other men confessed to the crimes.
See Also
- Capital punishment in Ohio
- Capital punishment in the United States
- List of murder convictions without a body
- List of people executed by lethal injection
- List of people executed in Ohio
- List of people executed in the United States in 2004
- List of serial killers in the United States
Sources
- James Drew (March 31, 2004). "State executes man who killed, dismembered 2". The Blade. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021.
- Bill Odinski (April 13, 1986). "Macabre tale of human butcher". Akron Beacon Journal, p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Double slaying trial opens". The Advocate. July 30, 1985 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Suspect in W. Va. decapitation may be linked to Ohio slayings". Akron Beacon Journal. December 6, 1984 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Man convicted in double slaying". Chillicothe Gazette. August 8, 1985 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Man gets death for beheading". Mansfield News Journal. September 21, 1985 – via Newspapers.com.
- Mandy Zatynski (March 30, 2004). "WICKLINE EXECUTED, WISHED WISDOM TO COURTS BEFOREHAND". The Lantern. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021.
- Dean Narcisco (April 29, 2020). "After 36 years, Delaware County detectives solve slaying of 15-year-old Columbus boy". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021.
- "Wrongly convicted Ohio man, 81, says death row was 'hell on earth'". The Guardian. March 11, 2015. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020.
This case encapsulates the terrifying reality of a serial killer, blending elements of psychological horror with the grim realities of drug-related violence. Wickline's life and crimes serve as a chilling reminder of the darkest aspects of human nature and the profound impact of criminal behavior on society.
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 Wickline kills Charles Morgan Marsh, decapitating him.
Arrest for Breaking and Entering
Wickline is arrested for breaking into a drug store, leading to his incarceration.
Double Murder of Lerches
Wickline murders Christopher and Peggy Lerch, dismembers their bodies.
Indicted for Lerch Murders
Wickline is indicted in the Lerch case after his girlfriend confesses.
Trial Begins
Wickline's trial for the Lerch murders begins.
Guilty Verdict
Wickline is found guilty on two counts of aggravated murder.
Sentenced to Death
Wickline is sentenced to death for Peggy's murder and life for Christopher's.
Executed
William Wickline is executed by lethal injection.