"I had only graduated from the Academy, what, four months before this. "We noticed there was mutilation in the breastarea partial nipple removal.". He died on March 14, 1992 in Smyrna, Delaware, USA. The signs of torture on each women, particularly to their breasts, seriously alarmed investigators. Neil Patmore is a former police officer, and private investigator. Steven Pennells blue van, in which he tortured and killed his victims. Wikimedia CommonsRoute 40 entering Glasgow, Delaware. ETA: " He was quiet in school and fairly intelligent. Sorry for her loss (I know it was over 30 years ago but still). Steven Pennell was executed by lethal injection on March 15, 1992. Police had little to go on, and the case went nowhere until June 29, 1988. Minutes later, inside the prison trailer, which was divided into a glass-enclosed death chamber and an adjoining room for witnesses, Mr. Pennell was strapped down on a vinyl-covered gurney. Her body was never found. Delaware United States. Upon examination of several license plates, it emerged that the vehicle belonged to Stephen Brian Pennell, a 31-year-old electrician, married and father of two, with no criminal record. Steven Pennell was the first man in more than 45 years to be executed in Delaware. Three more bodies followed the first victim, and all had been brutally beaten and sadistically tortured. If you are interested in joining our team, contact us at ", But a judge in New Castle County Superior Court ruled Friday that Mrs. Pennell had not shown that her husband was mentally impaired, and later in the day the State Supreme Court agreed, saying, "There is not a scintilla of evidence that Pennell is incompetent.". get yours now before they are gone forever. He confirmed polices worst fears, Delaware had its first serial killer. Most of his victims were abducted from U.S. Route 40, near Bear. On August 22, sex worker Margaret Lynn Finner vanished from Route 13. In chasing the Route 40 killer, police would seek assistance from the FBIs Behavioral Sciences Unit and create a huge task force to capture him. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. He lived in my neighborhood, I grew up with his kids. Steven Brian Pennell (1957 or 1958 March 14, 1992), aka The U.S. 40 Killer, was convicted of the murders of two New Castle County, Delaware women and suspected of three more. Most, if not all of Delaware was happy to get rid of Mr. Pennell when he executed for his crimes in 1992. They did learn, though, she had been killed by a blow to the head. By June 1988, Steven Brian Pennell was suffering from insomnia and arguing regularly with his wife, so took long drives in his beloved blue Ford van. His wife, Vera Catherine Pennell, appealed the Supreme Court's decision. Is it a coincidence that tomorrow is his birthday? Through their knowledge and experience with other serial killers, the FBI was able to make an amazingly accurate psychological profile of Delaware's serial killer. [2] At this point, Pennell dismissed his lawyer and asked to represent himself, a decision the court approved. 7 17 mq775 7 17 mq775 :20190727020938-00031: We have estimated Steven Brian Pennell (November 22, 1957 - March 14, 1992), aka The Route 40 Killer, was Delaware's only known serial killer, convicted of the murders of two New Castle County, Delaware women and suspected of killing three others. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. On June 28, 1988, about seven months after the first murder, around 11:30 PM, she was seen walking down Route 40. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Also known as Steve Wayne Pennell, Stephen W Pennell, Steve Pennel. He married and settled in New Castle. At 6:25 AM, construction workers found her naked body at a construction site. He was acquitted of murdering Gordon which investigators told "Mark of a Serial Killer" was likely because her murder was different from the others. Steven Brian Pennell. His crimes shocked the little state of Delaware, not because it was the first and only case of serial murder in the state's history, but more so due to the twisted savagery of the crimes he committed. She was used to hitchhiking, though, and herfamily believed that's how she met her killer. At 6:25 AM, construction workers found her naked body at a construction site. State of Delaware 1989. In November of 1987, Steven Pennell began what was to become the most appalling case of murder in the history of Small Wonder (Delaware). On November 12, a hunter discovered skeletal remains near the canal, and the autopsy revealed it was Margaret Finner, missing since August 22. With a depraved sexual sadist driving up and down Delaware highways, and the killer deriving his pleasure from the extreme pain he was subjecting his victims to, the FBIs BSU recommended proactive tactics. On March 14, 1992, at 9:49 PM, Steven Brian Pennell was executed by lethal injection, becoming the first person executed in Delaware in 46 years, and the 165th person to be executed in the United States since the death sentence was reinstated in 1976. Det. The execution, performed by injection, was carried out inside a trailer on the grounds of the Delaware Correctional Center near this town 15 miles north of Dover. On June 28, 1988, about seven months after the first murder, around 11:30 PM, she was seen walking down Route 40, but it was unclear if she was prostituting herself. Steven Brian Pennell was born on November 22 1957, in United States of America. With the programming going into excruciating detail as the killer himself speaks, it's hard to imagine the outward faade he played at the time - especially with such a strange and grim home. He was the 166th person executed in the United States since the Supreme Court in 1976 allowed resumption of capital punishment. WikiZero zgr Ansiklopedi - Wikipedia Okumann En Kolay Yolu . On September 24, the blue fibers between Steven Brian Pennells van and the second victim were a confirmed match. Also said he was a weird guy in school and that his poor wife didn't have a clue. Known simply as the I-40 Killer or the Corridor Killer, because his crimes would take place along Highway 40 in Delaware, Pennell was known to beat his victims to within inches of their lives with a hammer, even cutting off their nipples. We will update Steven Brian Pennell's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. First murders [ edit] Shirley Ellis [ edit] After learning about Steven Pennell, read about Alaskan serial killer Robert Hansen. His execution was scheduled for March 14, 1992. State law requires that a death sentence be automatically appealed to the Delaware Supreme Court, where Mr. Pennell represented himself and urged the court to hasten his execution. Pennell broke his wifes arm once, which was never reported to the police. The couple were devout Catholics who created a comfortable home on the. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. This task force worked . She had been known to hitchhike along Route 40, just like the other victims. Discover Steven Brian Pennell's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Steven lived at address. Steven Brian Pennell (November 22, 1957 - March 14, 1992), aka The Route 40 Killer, was Delaware's only known serial killer, convicted of the murders of two New Castle County, Delaware women and suspected of killing three others. Decided: December 18, 1991. Pennell was arrested on November 29, 1988, a year after he murdered the first victim, and was charged with killing three - Ellis, DiMauro and Gordon. Diagnosis He abducted most of his victims from U.S. Route 40, near Bear. [4] His last meal consisted of crab cakes, steaks, corn on the cob, french fries, bread and butter and a cola. His execution cost the state a grand total of $47,085, a rather high figure for an execution. Related To James Pennell, Britney Pennell, Dawn Pennell, Laura Pennell, William Pennell. Steven Brian Pennell is considered to be the first serial killer in Delaware. He also plead no contest to the murder of Kathleen Meyer once DNA evidence linked him to the case. Learn more about merges. James Allen Red Dog Executed on: March 3, 1993 On Sept. 20, a 22-year-old named Michelle Gordon, who had been reported missing by her family a few days earlier, was found dead in a canal. Steven Brian Pennell was born on 22 November, 1957 in Glasgow, Delaware, United States, is an American serial killer. Stay in the loop with all the latest Daily Star news by signing up to one of our free newsletters here. A video has emerged showing inside a house of horrors which was once owned by one of the most notorious serial killers in America. . There were ligature marks on her and a bloody wound on her head. The Delaware State Attorney General objected to the death penalty, but the judges sentenced Pennell to death anyway. It's been a while since I've asked her about it but she said he was a little off. Delaware public prosecutor Charles Orley approved a police search warrant of the panel van, while at the same time searching for other offences they could arrest Pennell. Steven Brian Pennell was Delaware's only known serial killer, suspected of five murders in the late eighties and convicted of two. Police and federal agents disguised as sex workers in attempt to gather information, with a task force of over 60 people being formed solely to capture the killer, but to no avail. according to a 2020 Delaware Today article. Steven passed away on March 14 1992, at age 34. He never disclosed the location of Meyers body, and on March 14, 1992, the state executed Pennell via lethal injection. He reopened the curtain, and a Roman Catholic priest standing next to the body was administering last rites. Select a record to see additional public records data. She refused, claiming that she was tired, but managed to tear some fiber from the blue carpet and write down the license plate number. Like Ellis, she was killed by hammer blows and strangulation, but unlike the first murder, DiMauro's body was covered in blue fibers. Pennell was placed under surveillance, and on the night of September 18, was observed driving circuits of Routes 13 and 40. Eventually he would show mercy by strangling them to death, then bashing in their skulls with a blunt object for good measure. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 22 November. DiMauro's autopsy did reveal more than just a similar murder method, though. Steven Lee Pennell Jr 1973 Steven Lee Pennell Jr, born 1973. On Halloween of 1991, Steven Brian Pennell was sentenced to die by lethal injection after have been convicted of only two of the five murders he committed. And although Steven Brian Pennell was stunningly brazen when hunting his victims, his beloved blue work van-turned-mobile torture chamber that would ultimately lead to his downfall. Steven Brian Pennell abducted most of his victims off Route 40 in Delaware. This massive perfect bound Ted Bundy collection includes art, articles, rare interviews, documents, letters, transcripts and the serial killers entire FBI file. Authorities ran the plate number, and learned their suspect was Steven Brian Pennell, a married man with two children and no real criminal history. He argued that the entire constitution began with a verse from the Hebrew Bible, and as soon as the court found two witnesses who could testify to his guilt, he deserved the death penalty under the Bible's laws. The man appeared nervous, hardly looking her in the eyes, but still attempted to convince her to enter the car. Officers ran the vans license plate, RV 2059, and found it was registered to Steven Brian Pennell, a Delaware electrician. A "torture kit" was also found, which included pliers, whips, handcuffs, needles, knives and restraints. He was seemingly nice to everyone ". Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Thats right. I live in South Africa and am a female so have a decent chance of being murdered,, but my fear of having my nipples cut off far exceeds my fear of being murdered. Gebelein had to set a legal precedent and listen to the opinions of experts and scientists, who helped verify the DNA evidence. State and county police collaborated with the FBI to identify and hunt down their suspect, forming a task force of over 100 officers and spending about one million dollars. Jim Hedrick with the New Castle County Police Department told producers. Thats well over 30 ebooks in one package. On August 22, 1988, 27-year-old prostitute Margaret Lynn Finner disappeared. Ellis, previously a sex worker, had walked along Route 40 a few hours earlier, as part of the 14-mile route to Wilmington hospital. Delaware conducted an execution today for the first time in almost half a century, putting to death a man who had tortured and killed at least four women. This massive 8.5 x 11 perfect bound book contains over 150 pages of rare interviews, letters, documents, transcripts, art and articles about serial killer, John Wayne Gacy. It is chock full of artwork, rare documents, FBI files and in depth articles regarding serial murder. The death of Mr. Pennell leaves five prisoners awaiting execution in Delaware. 1923 592K subscribers in the serialkillers community. Last October, already maintaining that he was determined to be executed, Mr. Pennell pleaded no contest to the Gordon and Meyer killings and was sentenced to death. "The medical examiner indicated that the actual acts of violence and torture literally frightened her death," Jennings explained. He turned down every request. Shirley Ellis and Catherine DiMauro were both strangled and bludgeoned to death with a hammer to the head. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Pennell purchased his van on June 3, 1988, installing the blue carpet following his first victim. Sign up to the Daily Star's newsletter. On August 22, 1988, 27-year-old sex worker Margaret Lynn Finner (ne Jordan) disappeared. She is from United States. Generally considered a good family man, Pennell played sports with his children, gave neighboring kids rides to school and even dressed as Santa Claus for the holidays. Eugene J. Maurer, Jr., Wilmington, for appellant. He was able to write down the license plate number, which turned out to belong to Pennell's car.