December 27, 1986 Tyler, Texas James Joseph Wilkens shoots his former girlfriend as well as her son and new boyfriend Wilkens and Sandra Williams (20) had dated and lived together for a short time, though their relationship dissolved after Wilkens showed jealousy over Williams’ attention to her son, Larry McMillan Jr. (4). After Wilkens and… Continue reading Man shoots ex-girlfriend, her son and her current boyfriend, due to extreme jealousy of both the son and boyfriend
Serial killer Richard Trenton Chase dies in prison
December 26, 1980 California Serial killer Richard Trenton Chase dies of an overdose in prison Chase killed six people from December 29, 1977 to January 27, 1978; five of the murders occurred between January 23 and 27. Among the victims were two children: 6-year-old Jason Miroth and his cousin 22-month-old David Ferreira. Most of the… Continue reading Serial killer Richard Trenton Chase dies in prison
Man kills wife, 6 of his 7 children, self
December 25, 1929 Germantown, North Carolina Charlie Lawson kills his wife and 6 of their 7 children before killing himself A few days prior to the murder-suicide, Charlie (43) brought his family to get a photograph taken together, a considerable expense and luxury for a working class family at the time. Because of the irregularity… Continue reading Man kills wife, 6 of his 7 children, self
Five children are killed or disappear after house fire
December 24, 1945 Fayetteville, West Virginia Five children from the Sodder family die in or disappear following a house fire On Christmas Eve, George and Jennie Sodder awoke to find their home engulfed in flames. They brought their 2-year-old daughter Sylvia, whose crib was in her parents’ room, from the house, and three other children… Continue reading Five children are killed or disappear after house fire
Fire at Christmas festival kills 41, injures 16
December 24, 1894 Silver Lake, Oregon An accident causes the fiery deaths of 41 and the injuries of 16 The fire started when a man attempted to get a better view of a Christmas festival. As the man stood on a bench, his head struck an oil lamp and sent the flaming liquid on the… Continue reading Fire at Christmas festival kills 41, injures 16
