Michael Cox (serial killer)
Michael Cox | |
|---|---|
First-degree murder (3 counts) | |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
| Details | |
| Victims | 3 |
Span of crimes | June – August 1984 |
| Country | United States |
| State(s) | California |
Date apprehended | November 10, 1984 |
Michael Anthony Cox (born May 17, 1956) is an American serial killer and rapist who kidnapped and killed three teenage girls in Placerville, California, between June and August 1984, later burying their bodies in the Eldorado national forest. He was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death in 1985, and is currently awaiting execution.[1]
Early life
Cox was born in 1956 in
Murders
After high school, Cox worked with a youth forestry conservation crew, where he became acquainted with several adolescents, among them were sisters Debbie and Denise Galston, both 14, who lived in a foster home in Placerville. Cox was known to have regularly insulted Denise with derogatory language, often calling her a slut and a hoser.[3] On June 12, 1984, Denise was hanging out with her friends at a nearby Bell Tower, an area that was often used by teeneagers as a hangout spot. Cox was driving in his car nearby and approached 17-year-old Joanna Napoletano, who lived with the Galston's at their foster home. He offered to drive her to a party at a nearby park and she agreed, but when they got there, he made an unwanted sexual move toward Napoletano, grabbing her breast and causing her to flee. She returned downtown, where she pulled Galston aside and spoke with her about the incident with Cox.[3]
Afterwards, Galston began walking home when she was approached by Cox in his car, again inviting her in to go to a party. She agreed and Cox again approached Napoletano, who reluctantly got it. Afterwards, Cox drove to an underpass and forced both girls out while brandishing a knife. He proceeded to attack Galston and stab her in the throat.[3] During this, Napoletano ran away and flagged down a nearby car. Despite what had happened, she refused to tell anyone what Cox did. After killing Galston, Cox dumped her body in Pollock Pines of the Eldorado National Forest.[4]
On June 29, 1984, Cox visited a club in downtown Placerville, where he met a 17-year-old girl named Lynda Burrill.[3] After convincing her to follow him to the parking lot, he kidnapped her and drove her to a secluded location, where he subsequently stabbed her to death.[4] On August 8, Cox kidnapped Debbie Galston, Denise's twin sister, while she was walking to a nearby party.[5] He her under similar circumstances and dumped her body near an oil rig.[3]
Investigation
On July 31, the partial remains of Denise Galston were found by a logging crew, and just five days later, the remains of Burrill were found.[6] The discovery of the bodies caused a stir among city residents, with investigators concluding a single killer was responsible. By early September, the body of Debbie Galtson had yet to be found, but some of her cloths had been recovered along a highway.[7] Her skeletal remains were eventually found in late October and identified through dental records.[5]
On August 12, Cox was sleeping in his car when it was approached by a Placer field police officer. The officer discovered a gun protruding from under the driver's seat and determined it to be a fully loaded .357-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver. Handcuffs were also located in the rear floorboard area and a knife and scabbard were found in the trunk.[3] Afterwards, Cox was interviewed twice as a possible suspect in the murders but denied involvement.[8] After Joanna Napoletano came forward with her information, Cox was arrested on November 10.[3]
Trial and imprisonment
Cox was indicted on three murder charges on November 14 and pleaded not guilty in January 1985.
See also
References
- ^ a b Jury recommends death penalty for El Dorado County Murderer. The Press-Tribune. August 8, 1985.
- ^ a b c Attorney asks jury to spare triple killer. The Sacramento Bee. August 7, 1985.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k People v. Cox (2003).
- ^ a b c Lambert, Marjie (January 19, 1985). Cox pleads innocent to murdering 3 teenagers. The Sacramento Bee.
- ^ a b Remains of third person found. Ukiah Daily Journal. October 30, 1994.
- ^ Information sought on slayings of El Dorado girls. The Sacramento Bee. August 30, 1984.
- ^ Flinn, John (September 1, 1984). Killer preys on teen-age girls. The San Francisco Examiner.
- ^ Lambert, Marjie (November 17, 1984). New evidence resulted in slaying suspect's arrest. The Sacramento Bee.
- ^ Man convicted of teen killings. Record Searchlight. July 19, 1985.