Henry Lee Lucas

Information summarized by
Matt Bullins, Chelsea Rakes, Meridith Gombar, Ashley Griffith, Kala Hodge, Alison
Plummer, Sarah Pitman, Margaret Kosicki

Serial killer researched by

Lauren Akers, Josette Anderson, Teresa Boyd, Jennifer Dagenhart, Amy C. Hill, Gregory
Kerwin, Mary Morrison, Jesse Rosenthal, Jessie Smith, Natilie Flemens, Jamie Kuback

Department of Psychology
Radford University
Radford, VA 24142-6946

Date Age Life Event

August 23, Born in Blacksburg, Virginia to Nellie Viola Dixon (age 40) and Anderson “No Legs”
1936 0 Lucas. Last of nine children, seven placed in foster care, while older brother, Andrew
Preston, remained home with Henry. Both parents are alcoholics. Mother was a
prostitute.
1943 7 Mother sent him to school dressed like a girl with long, curly hair. Older brother
accidentally cut him across the nose and eye. Went to Roanoke hospital for two weeks
where his mother visited him only once. Back at school the same eye was ruptured
after accidentally being struck with a ruler by his teacher. He was then fitted for a
glass eye.
1944 8 Mother strikes him over the head with a two by four, splitting his scalp open to the
bone. He lay unconscious for 3 days before someone took him to the hospital. Mother
made him watch her have sex with her “clients” and boyfriend, Bernie Dowdy.
1946 10 Became a virtual alcoholic after consistently being given moonshine by his father
while helping operate the family still. Bernie Dowdy shows him how to kill animals
and then have sex with them after killing a calf by slitting its throat.
1947 11 Henry’s father lost legs in an accident.
1949 13 Becomes obsessed with sex. Has sex with his half brother and with dead animals.
1950 14 Anderson Lucas dies after passing out drunk in the snow. Henry hitchhiked to his half
sister’s house in Middlebrook to get away from his abusive mother. Moved back to
Blacksburg and sentenced to jail for driving recklessly.
1951 15 Claimed that he abducted a seventeen-year old girl from bust stop and beat her until
she was unconscious. Raped her and strangled her to death. There is no record to
support this.
1952 16 Henry and his two half-brothers were picked up for burglary. Committed to a
vocational school for juvenile delinquents in Beaumont, Virginia. Managed to escape
the Christiansburg County Jail. Turned himself in after two weeks. Sent to Beaumont
where he lived “luxuriously” with plumbing and electricity. Evaluated by staff to have
and IQ score of 76.
1953 17 Released from Beaumont; went to Ingalls, North Carolina to stay with brother
Andrew. Soon after traveled to Staunton, Virginia where he lived with his half-sister,
Nora Crawford. Claims that he raped his twelve-year old niece.
1954 18 Arrested and convicted for burglar. Sentenced to four years in Richmond penitentiary.
1956 20 Escaped with another inmate from the work crew. Stole a care in Kentucky and
headed north to Lenawee County, where half-sister Opal Jennings lived. Captured and
served and eighteen month sentence in Ohio for violating federal Dyer Act
(transporting a stolen car across state lines). While driving through Ohio meets a girl
named Stella. Returned to Virginia to finish his burglary sentence. Engaged in regular
homosexual relationships in prison.
1959 23 Released from prison; traveled to Tecumseh, Michigan to stay with his half-sister
Opal; he contacts Stella and asked her to marry him.
1960 24 Viola shows up in Michigan and begs Henry to return to Blacksburg. After a night of
drinking Viola and Henry argue; Viola strikes Henry with a broom handle; he
retaliates by fatally stabbing her and leaving her on the floor; he panicked and drove
toward Virginia; Picked up by the State Police eight days later for hitchhiking and
sentenced to 20-40 years in prison for second-degree murder of his mother.
1961 25 Prison staff intercepted a letter to Opal hinting that he may commit suicide. He was
then evaluated. Admitted to killing his mother and having sex with her corpse.
Findings include a low IQ, depression, an “acute situational upset in a person of
borderline intelligence”. Re-evaluated nine months later and diagnosed as passive-
aggressive personality, dependent type. After claiming to hear voices and attempting
suicide by slashing his wrists, he was transferred from Jackson to the state hospital
with a diagnosis of “schizophrenic reaction, simple type”; remains in Iona State
Hospital for the Criminally Insane for four years
1966 30 Transferred back to Jackson’s maximum security prison
1970 34 Paroled after 10 years to half-sister Nora Crawford in Elkton, Maryland. Claimed he
killed two women on the day of his release within sight of the prison. No evidence of
this. Two months later he moved to Port Deposit, Maryland where his half-sister
Wanda Weaver lived with her husband and three daughters. Went to live with Opal
again after a conflict with Wanda.
1971 35 Charged with attempted kidnapping of teenage girls, Leslie Warrne and Marcie
Goodwyn, from a bus stop in Palmyra, Michigan. Violated parole by being in
possession of handgun. Claimed he “craves women all of the time and had an urge to
scare them”. Sentenced to 4-5 years in prison in Jackson.
1975 39 Released from prison after serving three and a half years. Claims he begged not to be
released because he was a danger to society. Went to stay with his half-sister Wanda
in Perryville, Maryland. Soon after, went to stay with Wanda’s daughter, Lavern, in
Pennsylvania where he worked on a mushroom farm. Married Betty Crawford, the
widow of his nephew. Began to sexually abuse her three daughters while demanding
the girls watch. Threatened to kill them if they told Betty.
1976 40 Meets Ottis Toole for the first time
1978 42 Meets Rhonda Knuckes and moves in with her for three months; accuses her of
infidelity and claims that he would rather kill than let anyone else have her; moves
back in with Opal and then with Wanda.
1979 43 Meets up with Ottis Toole again and meets his family; Moved in with Ottis and his
wife, Novella in Florida.
1981 45 Sarah, Ottis’ mother, died; Ottis and Henry stole her possessions and left with her
grandchildren Becky and Frank. Two months later Ottis and Henry stole Ottis’
brother’s truck. Henry jailed for 3 months for stealing truck.
1983 47 Henry claims that he and Ottis robbed a convenience store in western Georgia and
killed the woman clerk. Drove over state lines. Claimed they picked up an couple who
ran out of gas; Ottis shot the man; Henry shot the girl, but was disappointed he didn’t
get to have sex. Frank and Becky, who claims to be Henry’s lover at age twelve,
traveled with the duo.
Questioned by Phil Ryan, Texas Rangers, concerning the missing of Kate Rich.
Denied he killed her. Claimed he met her through a minister, Mr. Moore, who let him
and Becky stay at The House of Prayer. Claimed that Becky ran way with a truck
driver and tool all his money.
Arrested on a weapon charge. While in jail, he confided in an officer that he had
“done some bad things”. Claims he murdered as many as 600 in 27 states between
1975-1983. Confessed to killing Becky on August 24, 1982, having sex with her
corpse and cutting her body into nine pieces while scattering it all over a field, and
later burying the pieces. Confessed to stabbing Kate Rich to death on September 17,
1982, engaging in intercourse with her corpse, stuffing her into a drain pipe, and later
burning the body.
1984 48 He was prompted almost daily with extensive files and information of past murders.
He often claimed many as his work. He was given milkshakes, clean clothes,
cigarettes, and coffee by Williamson County Sheriff, Jim Boutwell as compensation
for his help in the murder cases.
Claimed he killed the hitchhiker “Orange Socks” on October 31, 1979. Went to trial
on April 2nd and convicted. Later it was found that he could not have done this
because he was not in Texas at the time.
1985 49 Recanted his confessions. Claimed the “jig is up” and that the just wanted to show
“that the law enforcement doesn’t do its business”. Grand Jury declined to indict him
on the three McLennan County murder confessions.
1986 50 “Notable lack of evidence” to support his confessions prompted by the police. The
convictions dwindled down to ten murders, nine of which were committed in Texas.
He was sentenced one death penalty, five life sentence terms, on life without parole
and 210 years in prison.
1987 51 Confession to the murder of Librada Apodaca was not admissible as evidence.
1988 52 After saying his confessions were a hoax, he began talking about murders again.
1989 53 Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed Lucas’s convictions in the “Orange Socks”
murder case.
1990 54 Was taken from death row and flown by Florida officers back to Tallahassee after his
first execution date of December 3rd was granted a stay.
1995 59 Granted a stay so his false confessions could be investigated.
1998 62 Governor of Texas, George W. Bush Jr., commuted the June 30th death sentence to
one life imprisonment.
March 12, 64 Found dead in Ellis I prison unit where he was serving sentences for nine murders.
2001 Died of natural causes.
General Information
Sex Male
Race White
Number of victims Exact number unknown, 3-600
Country where killing occurred United States
States where killing occurred Virginia, Michigan, Texas, supposedly 27 total
Childhood Information
Date of birth August 23, 1936
Location Blacksburg, Virginia
Birth order Last of nine
 Number of siblings 8
XYY? Unknown
Raised by Both parents, until father died
Birth category Youngest
Parent’s marital status Married
Family event Death of Father
Age of family event 14
Problems in school? Mother made him dress like a girl. Could not accept gifts. No shoes.
Learning difficulties reported by teachers. Poor education.
Teased while in school? Yes
Physically attractive? No
Physical defect? Yes, glass eye
Speech defect? No
Head injury? Hit over the head with log at age 7. Scalp was split open and he was
sent into a coma. Left eye knocked out by brother and replaced with
a glass eye.
Physically abused? Mother beat him for accepting a pair of shoes. Attacked him with
the wood. Malnourished.
Psychologically abused? Parents were not nice to him. Mother beat him and made him feel
like he was not important. Teased by classmates.
Sexually abused? No, however he was forced to watch mother have sex with different
guys.
Father’s occupation Made illegal liquor
Age of first sexual experience 13
Age when first had intercourse 14
Mother’s occupation Prostitute
Father abused drugs/alcohol Alcohol
Mother abused drugs/alcohol Alcohol
Cognitive Ability
Highest grade in school 8th
Highest degree
Grades in school Poor
IQ 76 (first testing), 89 (2nd testing)
Work History
Served in the military? No
Branch N/A
Type of discharge N/A
Saw combat duty N/A
Killed enemy during service? N/A
Applied for job as a cop? No
Worked in law enforcement? No
Fired from jobs? Left several job but unsure of reason
Types of jobs worked Different types of jobs in different place but little is known about
his employment. Worked in an antique shop at one time.
Employment status during series Employed at some times during his killings and other crimes but
nothing concrete.
Relationships
Sexual preference Heterosexual, homosexual activity has been reported
Marital status Married, divorced, remarried
Number of children None
Lives with his children N/A
Living with Spouse; most of the time with one or the other
Triad
Animal torture Yes
Fire setting Yes
Bed wetting Unknown
Killer Psychological Information
Abused drugs? No
Abused alcohol? No
Been to a psychologist? No
Time in forensic hospital? Yes (4 Years)
Diagnosis Suicidal Tendencies, Schizophrenia (Simple Type), Passive
Aggressive personality (Dependent Type)
Killer Criminal History
Committed previous crimes? Yes (Burglary)
Spend time in jail? Yes
Spend time in prison? Yes
Killed prior to series? Age? Yes, 15 and numerous sporadic times afterwards
Serial Killing
Number of victims Reports have ranged from 77-600. 600 were admitted to. 3 are
confirmed.
Victim type Young women, hitch hikers
Killer age at start of series 23
Gender of victims Mostly female, some male
Race of victims Not sure
Age of victims Not sure
Method of killing Stabbing Mostly. Beatings
Type of serial killer Organized lust, disorganized thrill in some since both
How close did killer live? Walking distance, drove to the crime, just depending on victim
Killing occurred in home of victim? Location varied
Killing occurred in home of killer? Location varied
Weapon Killer brought with him
Behavior During Crimes
Rape? Yes
Tortured victims? No
Stalked victims? No
Overkill? Sometimes
Quick & efficient? Yes
Used blindfold? No
Bound the victims? No
After Death Behavior
Sex with the body? Yes
Mutilated body? Yes
Ate part of the body? Yes
Drank victim’s blood? No
Posed the body? No
Took totem – body part No
Took totem – personal item No
Robbed victim or location No
Disposal of Body
Left at scene, no attempt to hide Yes
Left at scene, hidden Yes
Left at scene, buried Yes
 Moved, no attempt to hide No
Moved, buried Yes
Cut-op and disposed of Yes
Moved, too home No
Sentencing
Date killer arrested Final date on June 15, 1983
Date convicted Sometime in 1983
Sentence 75 years in one trial and death in another
Killer executed? No
Name and state of prison Huntsville, Texas both name and location of prison
Killer committed suicide? Attempted a few times
Killer killed in prison? No
Date of death March 12, 2001
References
Bellamy, Patrick. Henry Lee Lucas: Deadly Drifter (an online book).
http://www.crimelibrary.com
Bobit, Bonnie. Henry Lee Lucas. (18, May 2000). Crime Magazine
Call, Max. (1991). Hand of Death: The Henry Lee Lucas Story. Lafayette, LA:
Prescott Press.
Convicted killer Lucas dies in prison. (2001, March 14) Texas/Mexico News
Cox, M. (1991). Don’t let me out. I know I will kill again. New York: Pocket
Books.
Cox, M. (1991) The confessions of Henry Lee Lucas. New York: Ivey Books
Drifter’s Drive to confess murder on the truth. (1994, October 31). Insight on the
News. pg. 12 (3)
Execution Looms Even as State Admits Guilt ‘Highly Improbable’. (1997-2000).
http://www.commondreams.org
Graczyk, M. (1991). Serial killer Henry Lee Lucas nearing execution in Texas.
(1998, June 15). Corpus Christi Caller Times.
Henry Lee Lucas & Ottis Toole. (2001). http://www.home.wanadoo.nl
Johns, Jason. (2000)Henry Lee Lucas. http://www.angelfire.com
Kurtis, B. (1991). Myth of a serial killer (video recording). New York: Kurtis
Productions.
Master of cant and recant; a dark tale of mass murder gets even murkier. (1987,
January 12). Time, pg. 66(1)
Newton, M. (2000). The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers. New York: Checkmark
Books.
Peterson, Daniel. Lies of a serial killer. (1998, June 22). Newsweek, pg. 64(1)
The Actual “Truth” About Lucas. (2001). http://www.robert-a-burns.com