Earle Leonard Nelson The Dark Strangler The Gorilla

Earle Leonard Nelson The Dark Strangler The Gorilla Killer

Biography – family life • Nelson's mother and father both died of syphilis before Nelson reached the age of two years. • Around the age of 10, Nelson collided with a streetcar while riding his bicycle and remained unconscious for six days afterward. Major head trauma. After he awoke, his behavior became erratic, and he suffered from frequent headaches and memory loss. • When he was 14, his grandmother died, and Nelson went to live with his aunt, Lillian, and her husband. • Taunted by older children for his odd behaviors. • Loner. • Married briefly at age 22 to a 66 yr. old woman, physically abused her.

Criminal Record • Minor breaking and entering by age 18. • Committed to mental hospital at 19 for erratic behavior after enlisting in the Navy. • Diagnosed as a "constitutional psychopath with outbreaks of psychosis. " Possible narcissist: described himself to doctors as having a “blessing on him”. • Escaped and recaptured twice. Last escape was successful. • Attempted sexual molestation of 12 yr. old girl at age 21. • Committed again at age 24. Released at age 28. • First or more than 22 murders at age 29.

Victimology • Most murders took place along west coast: • San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Portland, and Manitoba, Canada • Also in Midwest and Northeast as he fled • Women: housewives and landladies. • M. O. : • Posed as a possible tenant. Used the Bible as part of his ruse. • Mostly killed by strangulation, shot • Necrophilia

Behavioral Tendencies • Organized • Planned the murders • Hid the bodies • Used many aliases to avoid capture • Lack of empathy • Necrophilia • Mutilation

Capture • Arrested and escaped from prison at age 30. Recaptured when he attempted to flee the city in a train transporting police officers! • Tried, convicted, and executed by hanging at age 30.