Chapters
Shownotes Transcript
Love this podcast? Support this show through the ACAST supporter feature. It's up to you how much you give, and there's no regular commitment. Just click the link in the show description to support now.
It's that time of the year.
Your vacation is coming up. You can already hear the beach waves, feel the warm breeze, relax, and think about work. You really, really want it all to work out while you're away. Monday.com gives you and the team that peace of mind. When all work is on one platform and everyone's in sync, things just flow. Wherever you are, tap the banner to go to Monday.com.
Ryan Reynolds here from Int Mobile. With the price of just about everything going up during inflation, we thought we'd bring our prices down.
So to help us, we brought in a reverse auctioneer, which is apparently a thing. Mint Mobile Unlimited Premium Wireless. You're about to get 30, 30, you're about to get 30, you're about to get 20, 20, 20, you're about to get 20, 20, you're about to get 15, 15, 15, 15, just 15 bucks a month. Sold! Give it a try at mintmobile.com slash switch. $45 upfront payment equivalent to $15 per month. New customers on first three-month plan only. Taxes and fees extra. Speeds lower above 40 gigabytes in detail. ♪
so
Welcome to the Serial Killer Podcast. The podcast dedicated to serial killers. Who they were, what they did, and how. Episode 226. I am your humble host, Thomas Roseland Weyberg Thun. And tonight, we continue the tale of the killer cop, Gerard John Schaefer.
Last episode, we ended with the bottle-picking man's gruesome discovery of a killer's necropolis. Tonight, we delve deeper into the utter depravity of Schaefer's murderous reign. Enjoy.
This episode, like all other sagas told by me, would not be possible without my loyal Patreones. They are...
You are truly the backbone of the Serial Killer podcast. And without you, there would be no show. Thank you.
I am forever grateful for my elite TSK Producers Club, and I want to show you that your patronage is not given in vain. All TSK episodes will be available 100% ad-free to my TSK Producers Club on patreon.com slash the serial killer podcast. No generic ads, no ad reads, no jingles. I promise.
And of course, if you wish to donate $15 a month, that's only $7.50 per episode, you are more than welcome to join the ranks of the TSK Producers Club too. So don't miss out and join now. Imagine if you will, dear listener, you are standing next to a stern-looking police officer.
He's wearing sunglasses, the mirrored kind so that you can't see his eyes, only your own reflection. The bush you are standing in is not idyllic. Dry twigs, plants that cut you if you brush up against them as some ragged-looking palm trees rise up from scattered mangrove, crushed seashell and gravel.
The sun is hot, the air humid and smelling of something foul, mixed with the smell of the sea. The man is one of the police officers dispatched to the crime scene after the discovery made by the man and his son while looking for aluminum cans. His name was Sergeant George Miller of the SLCD. His job was to photograph and record any and all evidence as it turned up.
The following report, written by Miller, describes the crime scene with graphic clarity. I quote,
The undersigned officer was contacted at 2 p.m. April 1, 1973, by Dispatcher Reese Parrish, in reference to taking pictures of two bodies in a wooded area located just north of Blind Creek on South A1A. Upon arrival at the scene, I was met by Detective Sergeant Hinton of the Martin County Sheriff Department, who proceeded to show me through the crime scene.
I started taking pictures of an area located approximately 15 feet south of the dirt road leading into the crime area. These pictures show numerous articles of women's clothing, partially covered by dead leaves. From this area we proceeded south into a heavily wooded and undergrowth area. Approximately 300 feet into the wooded area we came upon an open-type grave.
Several pictures were taken of this, showing the length, width and depth being measured by Lieutenant Duval of the SLCDS and Sergeant Bart Canoff of the Martin County Sheriff Department.
Also included in these pictures are two shots of a white lace garment laying at the south end of the open grave. Partially covered by dead leaves, one picture showed Sergeant Canoff measuring the distance from the south end of the grave to the white garment. The next area that photographs were taken was located thirty-nine feet seven inches south of the grave.
These photographs show what was labeled "body number one". Body number one photographs show the pelvic bone area, the left leg and foot bone, thorax and a segment of a humerus bone. To the southeast of body number one at approximately 30 degrees, and the footage from body number one being 22 feet 4 inches,
Pictures were taken of the complete upper extremities of what was labeled upper half of body number two.
These photographs include the upper extremities covered with dead palm fronds and also shows upper extremities after being uncovered. In these photographs can be seen both arms and hands. One hand, assumed to be the left hand and arm, showing a piece of material, red and white in color, tied in a common knot around the wrist. The next area photographed was to the southwest of body number one,
at approximately 55 degrees, footage being 25 feet 4 inches from body number 1.
This was labeled "lower extremities of body number two". These photographs show the lower extremities located next to a palm tree, with the feet and legs to the south. Various photographs were taken showing the lower extremities of body number two. One photograph shows Sargent Canough holding up what appeared to be a belt found lying between the tree and lower extremities of body number two.
Also, a photograph of lower extremities of body number two shows two cloth patches found on the right front pant leg of lower extremities of body number two. Patch number one being a large cloth owl, red and black in color, and patch number two being a roadrunner patch with the words "beep beep" and emblem of roadrunner with the patch having a white background trimmed in yellow.
Next area photographed was 21 feet 10 inches south of lower extremities of body number 2. This photograph showing a complete right arm, including finger and hand bone. This being labeled right arm for body number 1. On April 2, 1973, this office again returned to the area to continue photographing any new evidence found.
At approximately 10 a.m., this same date, Detective Sergeant Richardson found a lower leg, 10 feet to the east of body number one. This was photographed showing how it was covered. On April 3, 1973, this office again returned to the area to photograph any new evidence. This same date, officers searching started finding parts of a skull. Photographs taken include looking from the south end of the open grave
to the area where parts of the skull were found. It also shows a view of looking directly down into several teeth and two vertebraes located 25 feet 5 inches from the north corner of the open grave. Also a photograph of a jawbone labeled jawbone number one with three teeth in place.
this was found twenty-eight feet from the north-west corner of the grave a photograph was taken of what appeared to be human hair reddish-brown in colour this being twenty-three feet nine inches from the north-west corner of the open grave
A photograph is also included of another section of a jawbone assumed to be a front section containing four teeth labeled Jawbone No. 2. This was located 33 feet 3 inches from the northwest corner of the open grave. More information will be added to this report as new evidence is turned up and photographed. Signed, Sergeant George Miller. End quote.
Dr. H. L. Schofield was the medical examiner for the 19th Judicial Circuit. Because the murdered girls were suspected of being Broward County residents, and because Dade County, which is just south of Broward, had better-equipped forensic laboratories, Dr. Schofield sent the remains to Dr. Joe Davis in Miami.
Dr. Davis studied the skeletal remains and one of his advisers, Dr. Richard Souveyron, who was the only forensic dentist appointed by the Justice Department of the United States at that time, studied the teeth and jaw bones that had been discovered at the crime scene. Within a few days, the medical examiners had concluded their examinations and called Stone to relay the results.
dr sauverand's discoveries were most valuable in attaining the identification of the bodies as dental records are as conclusive as fingerprints to the trained examiner
He positively identified the bodies of those of Susan Place and Georgia Jessop and sent his report to Stone. Dr. Davies also finalized his examination and sent the following letter to Stone. And I quote, It's that time of the year. Your vacation is coming up. You can already hear the beach waves, feel the warm breeze, relax and think about...
You really, really want it all to work out while you're away. Monday.com gives you and the team that peace of mind. When all work is on one platform and everyone's in sync, things just flow. Wherever you are, tap the banner to go to Monday.com.
Ryan Reynolds here for, I guess, my 100th Mint commercial. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I mean, honestly, when I started this, I thought I'd only have to do like four of these. I mean, it's unlimited premium wireless for $15 a month. How are there still people paying two or three times that much?
I'm sorry, I shouldn't be victim blaming here. Give it a try at midmobile.com slash switch whenever you're ready. $45 upfront payment equivalent to $15 per month. New customers on first three month plan only. Taxes and fees extra. Speeds lower above 40 gigabytes. See details. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. As a family man with three kids, I know firsthand how extremely difficult it is to make time for self-care.
But it's good to have some things that are non-negotiable. For some, that could be a night out with the boys, chugging beers and having a laugh. For others, it might be an eating night. For me, one non-negotiable activity is researching psychopathic serial killers and making this podcast. Even when we know what makes us happy, it's often near impossible to make time for it.
But when you feel like you have no time for yourself, non-negotiables like therapy are more important than ever. If you're thinking of starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try. It's entirely online, designed to be convenient, flexible, and suited to your schedule. Everyone needs someone to talk to, even psychopaths, even your humble host.
Never skip therapy day with BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com slash serialkiller today to get 10% off your first month. That's BetterHelp, H-E-L-P dot com slash serialkiller.
Dear Mr. Stone, April 1973 I received in two separate body pouches the incomplete skeletonized remains of two females. On 15 May 1973 an additional vertebrae was received. Enclosed are copies of my reports pertaining to these skeletonized bodies.
In neither of these cases is it possible for me at this time to furnish a cause of death based upon examination of the skeletonized remains received on 7 April 1973. Identification of these remains is circumstantial by virtue of the fact that partial lower jaws were found in association with, but not attached directly to, these skeletal remains.
The identification of the lower jaw fragment is the subject of a separate report by Dr. Richard Souveron, forensic dental consultant to this office. Georgia Jessop, 73-962, sustained a fracture of her left forearm at 11 years of age, approximately five years ago.
Preliminary x-rays of the forearms reveal such perfect healing that it is difficult to be certain that an injury had occurred at sight.
However, I plan to seek additional rancunological consultation in an effort to find evidence of previous injury which would coincide with the orthopedic records which I have received from Detective Sergeant Carruthers on 12 April 1973. The injuries to the bodies consist of cutting mutilations by sharp instrument.
No X-ray evidence of knife or bullet fragments were found within the skeletal remains. The dental identification by Dr. Suveron has also revealed metallic radiopack fragments corresponding to a defect in the mandible identified as belonging to Susan Place. The size of the defect is consistent with a small caliber bullet, such as a .22 caliber.
It cannot be determined whether the bullet was fired into the jaw before or after death. Although there is some black stain at the dismemberment cut sites of the skeletonized remains, there is no conclusive evidence that these cuts in the bone were inflicted prior to death. Despite the inconclusive evidence of cause of death, I believe that there is ample evidence to indicate a criminal agency.
However, the proof of a criminal agency is a legal matter, not a medical responsibility. It depends upon the sum of all the evidence whether it be medical or not.
I enclose for your distribution by you to all concerned parties the reports upon the bodies received by me on 7 April 1973 and copies of the dental description by Dr. Sovereign, who received his jaw fragment evidence from Lieutenant Patrick Duval on 4 April 1973. Signed, Sincerely yours, Joseph H. Davis, M.D., Dade County Medical Examiner.
and the details of what happened to the two girls were based on witness statements gathered evidence and the words of schaefer himself the following the florida heat clung thick and heavy on the twenty seventh of september nineteen seventy two
after eight but not before the half-past witching hour of nine thirty susan place and georgia jessup piled into the blue-green dutton with their new friend jerry shepherd a name as smooth and phony as a carnival barker's smile little did they know this jerry was a monster in disguise a wolf with a grin named gerard john
susan and georgia filled with the care-free ease of youth likely envisioned a night of laughter and secrets under the stars maybe some guitar strumming a beer or two passed between them maybe even a hint of rebellion a forbidden puff of that sweet skunky marijuana susan they knew wouldn't be planning a permanent escape no packed bags no medication for the epilepsy that lurked like a shadow in her mind
Just a night of innocent escape. The air was cool and the windows were down as they journeyed north, the rhythmic hum of the engine, a lullaby against the backdrop of the ocean breeze. A1A stretched out before them, a shimmering ribbon of asphalt leading them deeper into danger. A couple of hours, tops, and they would be in Martin County, maybe even St. Lucie. But then Jerry would make a turn.
Not the kind that led to sun-drenched beaches, but a sharp cut onto a dirt road vanishing into the hungry maw of the woods. Laughter probably filled the car at that point, a carefree echo destined to be swallowed by the darkness. Bare bottles would sweat condensation in their hands, a false sense of camaraderie masking the chill that would soon grip their hearts.
As Schaefer himself wrote, the bear served a purpose, to lull them into a false sense of security, a drowsy haze that would make them easier prey. He would find a secluded spot, a clearing hidden from the prying eyes of any passing patrol car. The girls would climb out, following Jerry like lambs to the slaughter, perhaps lured by the promise of some mythical Spanish fort.
They wouldn't see the noose dangling from the tree, a skeletal grin mocking the moonlit sky. They wouldn't see the waiting grave, a freshly dug scar in the earth. They wouldn't know they were walking towards their own execution. Jerry might have offered a game then, a cruel amusement before the final act. Or maybe he'd just pull out that hidden .22 caliber, a cold kiss of steel against their skin.
Either way, they'd found themselves bound, voices muffled by gags. Separated or not, it wouldn't matter much. Schaefer wasn't known for giving his victims time to think, to plan, to fight back. The torture the girls were subjected to have been difficult to ascertain. The details probably fit with Schaefer's own writings, detailed in previous episodes in this series.
One can only hope that Georgia lost consciousness, due to fear or intoxication, and that Susan, perhaps, had an epileptic episode, and that, in either case, they would not have known what atrocities would befall them. But it is more likely that she was screaming as Georgia was tortured to death, and Schaefer, angry, shot her in the mouth to shut her up.
It might explain why her teeth were pulled out. Schaefer may have been looking for the bullet that could be used as evidence against him. There is no way to be certain, as the upper portions of the skulls of both girls were never located. And it is possible that he struck one or both girls a lethal blow to the head with either a machete or an axe, as Lieutenant Duval would later point out.
One of the bodies were found tied to a tree trunk with claw marks behind her. Various reports mention that the girls were hanged, but this finding contradicts that. I suspect that one girl was shot to death, the bullet going into the mouth and out the back of the head, shattering teeth on the way.
The other girl was bound and either garroted to death or killed with a knife through horrendous long-lasting torture. They were probably sexually assaulted after death in a variety of ways before they were mutilated and partially buried. On the 5th of April 1973, the Place and Jessop families were notified that their daughters had been murdered.
While Gerard Schaefer hadn't been formally charged with the murders of Susan Place and Georgia Jessop, suspicion swirled heavily around him. The Places, for one, had identified him as the last person seen with their daughter. Adding to the circumstantial evidence, Schaefer was already serving time for the abduction of two other girls.
Though not a smoking gun in legal terms, it painted a disturbing picture of a man capable of violent acts. Facing a potential murder charge midway through his six-month sentence, Schaefer declared himself indigent and requested a public defender enter Elton H. Schwartz, the attorney appointed to represent him in this escalating case.
A search warrant was granted to search Schaefer's domicile. What they found there was tantamount to a treasure trove: knives, women's jewelry, several guns including a .22 caliber, and most damning, notebooks detailing horrific crimes. In total, 28 victims were described in ways that seemed far too detailed to be fictional.
Two of them fit the description of Place and Jessop perfectly. Police detective Carl Ragucci wasn't alone in his keen interest for Gerard Schaefer. He was just one investigator among several combing through both of Schaefer's residences. For Plantation PD and many other South Florida agencies, the Schaefer case was a potential linchpin. They were hunting the killer of two more young residents,
Mary Alice Briscolina, a mere fourteen years old, and Elsie Lena Farmer, an even younger thirteen. Like the place and Jessop girls, these victims, known for hitchhiking, were found brutally murdered and mutilated. An unsettling pattern emerged. Two young girls, one blonde, one brunette, vanished, and met tragic ends.
Ragucci's detailed deposition, shared with both prosecution and defense, outlined the meticulous search of Schaefer's Stuart home and his former Fort Lauderdale residence. His involvement, along with the collaborative efforts of multiple police departments, would prove instrumental.
The meticulous investigation would eventually lead to a chilling list. 28 possible victims linked to Gerard Schaefer. The list of 28 possible victims is, at its best, an educated guess. It was first canonized on the front page of the Palm Beach Post-Times, Sunday morning, the 13th of May, 1973 edition.
There, in one-inch bold letters, was the title, and I quote, Six dead, twenty-eight may be, a trail of butchered girls.
The article, written by Jane Ellison, states, and again I quote, A total of 28 girls and young women in South Florida, four others in West Virginia and Iowa, and possible other victims in Europe and North Africa, may be involved in the case. Sheriff's investigators in St. Lucie, Martin, Broward, and Palm Beach counties believe the final death toll of hacked and butchered girls may reach or surpass
twenty-eight in florida no one has been charged in any of the murders but a former policeman in broward county and later a martin county sheriff's deputy is a suspect and
The article does not mention how the number 28 was arrived at, nor the six dead, and even Chief Prosecutor Robert Stone was, and I quote, not exactly sure how they came up with 28 possible victims. However, the following explanation is probably accurate as to where the numbers came from.
If we take the list of persons known dead and or missing, based on information collated by all the police and sheriff departments involved, we can arrive at a figure of 19, and maybe 20 very plausible victims.
they are one susan plays known dead two georgia jessop known dead three mary briskolina known dead four elsie farmer known dead
2 young women 5 6 2 young women from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, whose personal effects were found in the Schaefer home 7 8
Two coeds from Morgantown, West Virginia. Nine. Karen Farrell, missing. Ten. Married Malaric, missing. One young woman from Fayetteville, Arkansas, last known to be in South Florida. Eleven. Elizabeth Wilt, missing. The remainder of the list includes names of girls missing from all over South Florida and or girls known to have come into contact with Schaefer, now missing. Twelve.
13. Katharina Bivens, missing. 14. Sandra Bivens, missing. 15. Bonnie Taylor, missing. 16. Belinda Hutchins, missing. 17. Deborah Lowe, missing. 18. Peggy Rahn, missing. 19. Wendy Brown-Stevenson, missing.
These were the names of missing or known dead that Robert Stone had compiled on his list of possible victims. One more girl was added, whom Ragucci had mentioned in his deposition, and who was missing from the Fort Lauderdale area. 20. Mona Dies, Missing We all have dreams. Dream home renovations, dream vacations, or sending our kids to their dream colleges.
But finding straightforward ways to turn those dreams into realistic goals, that's where things get tricky. Merrill understands that. That's why, with a dedicated Merrill advisor, you get a personalized plan and a clear path forward. And having the bull at your back helps your whole financial life move with you.
So when your plans change, Merrill is with you every step of the way. Go to ml.com slash bullish to learn more. Merrill, a Bank of America company. What would you like the power to do? Investing involves risk. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, registered broker-dealer, registered investment advisor, member SIPC. Need new glasses or want a fresh new style? Warby Parker has you covered.
Glasses start at just $95, including anti-reflective, scratch-resistant prescription lenses that block 100% of UV rays. Every frame's designed in-house, with a huge selection of styles for every face shape. And with Warby Parker's free home try-on program, you can order five pairs to try at home for free. Shipping is free both ways, too. Go to warbyparker.com slash covered to try five pairs of frames at home for free. warbyparker.com slash covered.
Here in America, work is in trouble. We've offshored our manufacturing, sent away good jobs, and lost so much ability to make things. American Giant is pushing back against that tide. They make high-quality clothing for a summer wardrobe you'll love, all made right here in the USA. Support America's workers and get 20% off your first order at American-Giant.com with code STAPLE20. That's 20% off your first order at American-Giant.com, code STAPLE20.
The other names to come up with a list of 28 probably came from the exhibits list, exhibits 11 and 12, which we will call the men's list, as all the names of those are young men. Identification for most of these men were found among Schaefer's possessions. How thoroughly their status of missing was investigated is uncertain, but their names do help to make the list of 28.
21. Michael Angeline, listed as missing. 22. Kenneth Canshaw, listed as missing. 23. Dennis Cordill, listed as missing. 24. Kirk Duckwitz, listed as missing. 25. Edward Greer, listed as missing. 26. Stephen Kindig, listed as missing.
Twenty-seven, Leonard Massar, known dead. Massar, whose body was found on Hutchinson Island with both hands cut off, is attributed to Schaefer, though none of his personal belongings were found among Schaefer's. And finally, there is number twenty-eight, Kay Price, missing, a girl whom Schaefer was known to have dated for some time shortly after his divorce from his first wife.
And with that, we come to the end of part five, covering the saga of the killer cop Schaefer. Next episode, we'll continue his saga. So as they say in the land of radio, stay tuned.