Stay in the loop with all the latest Daily Star news by signing up to one of our free newsletters here. Steven Bryan Pennell (19571992) FamilySearch Halloween of 1991, Steven Brian Pennell was sentenced to die by lethal "She, like the others,had been brutally tortured while she was bound," Kathy Jennings, from the Delaware Attorney General's Office, told producers. wishes to do everything in her power to stop. Ellis had been strangled and suffered repeated hammer blows to her head but had not been sexually assaulted. Are you sure that you want to delete this flower? He was handed two life sentences. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Thomas Capano was a well-known political operative, Fahey's lover and the primary suspect in her disappearance. They found a young woman dead with her pants pulled down and her bra cut open to expose her breasts. Originally published 10/10/14. I'd never really seen that type ofdamage to a victim," Swiski told producers. Like Ellis, she was killed by hammer blows and strangulation, but unlike the first murder, DiMauro's body was covered in blue fibers. his new captive to unspeakable amounts of torture and rape. New Castle County, Delaware women and suspected of three Investigators knew they needed to find their culprit before he struck again. Although he continued to maintain his innocence, he specifically requested the death Authorities ran the plate number, and learned their suspect was Steven Brian Pennell, a married man with two children and no real criminal history. She had been studying to be a nurse, and the night she went missing, she was going to a hospital to visit a sick friend. Her body was never found. Resend Activation Email. Add a caption. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Yet it's never quite been able to shake off its macabre past. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Following this, officers raided his home and further searched his van. Investigators took carpet fibers, fabric swatches and photos of the interior and exterior of his van. The forensic lab tested Pennells van fibers against those found on the body of DiMauro. 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. County Superior Court ruled Friday that Mrs. injection aftering have been convicted of two of the five murders he The second victim was 31-year-old divorced prostitute Catherine A. DiMauro. Indiana UniversityPurdue University Indianapolis professor of criminology Kenna Quinet told USA Today that as many as one-third of "repeat killers" will have preyed upon a sex worker at least once. The other four people survived. There had been no executions 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. Family members linked to this person will appear here. outlook proved that he was mentally incompetent. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. They identified the victim as Catherine DiMauro, a 31-year-old divorced mom of two who was known to hitchhike and frequent establishments along Route 40. Learn How rich is She in this year and how She spends money? had a prisoner like Mr. Pennell. plans and enthusiasm Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Steven Brian Pennell would travel up and down the Route 40 highway in Delaware for victims to torture and kill using a twisted torture kit he kept in his car. So, how much is Steven Brian Pennell worth at the age of 35 years old? You may request to transfer up to 250,000 memorials managed by Find a Grave. Sinister house of serial killer who asked for death penalty According to anAmerican Journal of Public Healthstudy published in 2014 that claimed sex workers have a 45 to 75% chance of being a victim of violence on the job. Meyer once DNA evidence linked him to the case. I was very new, very keen. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Federal courts turned her down. On March 14, 1992, the state of Delaware killedSteven Brian Pennell. Blog - Frank F. Weber, Author Steven Brian Pennell The Delaware State Attorney General objected to the death penalty, but the judges sentenced Pennell to death anyway. It was November 1996, and Grossberg had hidden her pregnancy from her parents before moving to Newark to attend the University of Delaware. This account has been disabled. Pennell, graduating in 1976, spent two semesters studying criminology at a now defunct college. The driver wanted her to get in, but instead she feigned interest in his van, asking him to turn on the interior light. A sex worker is easily accessible, making quick contact with them possible. Though her body had similar injuries as the ones found on Catherine DiMauro and Shirley Ellis, a cause of death couldn't be determined as she was found submerged in the water. found. an "irrational act and one which Mrs. Pennell Steve Mardigan (Douglas testified against Pennell at his 1989 trial). near this town 15 miles north of Dover. It includes a twisted torture kit, Don't miss a thing! cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Pennell finally went back home, and when investigators observed the lights going out, they departed, thinking their suspect had gone to bed. to keep expanding and making Murderpedia a better site, but we really was the chief suspect in the murder of a fifth She was a member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. condemned prisoner was Steven Brian Pennell, 34 By the end of his trial in 1999, the details were revealed. WebSuscrbete, comparte y dale like a mis vdeos, para seguir realizando este tipo de contenido. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. injecting him with lethal drugs. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. One was In November of 1987, Steven Pennell began what was to become the most appalling case of murder in the history of Small Wonder Steven Brian Pennell, aka "The Corridor Killer," was a monster. that Mr. Pennell was dead. The medical examiner did, however, state that it was a homicide. death. Last October, already 50 Cases: #8 - Delaware - Steven Brian Pennell issued the final rejection of her petition. Please try again later. When his case reached the superior court, Pennell requested that he be allowed to defend himself, which was allowed. Authorities ran the plate number, and learned their suspect was Steven Brian Pennell, a married man with two children and no real criminal history. Steven Brian Pennell Biography, Age, Height, Husband, Net Worth, Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. One of Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Delaware Department of JusticeSteven Pennells blue van, in which he tortured and killed his victims. His request was granted. Weve updated the security on the site. Learn more about merges. However, he plead not guilty to the murders, and spoke of all crime as a third party, saying that the killer was enjoying the process of the murder, but not the murder itself. It takes a very, very extreme crime for us now to recover that.. Steven Brian Pennell, a 31-year-old married electrician from Bear, was arrested Nov. 29, 1988, for the murder of young mother Catherine DiMauro. Their disappearances are also less likely to be immediately noticed. various reasons and he ended up working as an electrician. Shirley Ellis and Catherine DiMauro were both strangled and bludgeoned to death with a hammer to the head. Evil serial killer's house still filled with creepy kids' dolls and chosen devices used to torture his victims. according to a 2020 Delaware Today article. GRACIAS! Minutes later, inside the The driver talked with her for a bit and when she looked in, she saw the van was covered in blue carpeting. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Steven Brian Pennell, also known as the "Route 40Killer," picked women up off the highwaybefore torturing andkilling them. Pennell was the first man in more 14 Mar 1992 (aged 34) Smyrna, Kent County, Delaware, USA. He was executed by lethal injection on March 14, 1992. He decided to enact his right to remain silent. The execution, performed by Several women in the late '80sShirley Ellis, Catherine DiMauro, Michele Gordon and Kathleen Anne Meyer then were abducted, tortured and killed. "The Route 40 Killer" Steven Brian Pennell Pt. 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. He was observed frequently driving back and forth on the same stretch of Route 40 that Taschner had met him on. 0% Complete. Burial. The driver appeared sullen, un-talkative, and very different from the drivers she had previously encountered. A couple seeking privacy off the highway found her body lying on a road near a construction site. Margaret Lynn Finner's body was so badly decomposed when found it was found that the cause of death was undetermined. Sometimes he would simply bind his victim by the hands and ankles while wife's efforts to appeal his sentence, saying he Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. He married On September 14, 1988, Rene Tashner, an undercover cop posing as a prostitute, roamed Route 40 in an attempt to capture the killer. Though married with two children and a seemingly normal electrician by day, Pennell drove Delawares Route 40 by night, torturing and killing five women throughout the late 1980s. Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, USA. We have many Perhaps this is whySteven Brian Pennell chose to stalk and kill his victims, all of whom were known to be sex workers. Fortunately, the Pennells had no children. "We were seeing evidence of torture where one of the nipples of her breast was mutilated. Add to your scrapbook. Mr. Pennell leaves five prisoners awaiting appalling case of murder in the history of Small Wonder (Delaware). amazingly accurate psychological profile of Delaware's serial killer. Try again later. Proudly created with. Steven Brian Pennell After months of around-the-clock surveillance, Steven Pennell was Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. We have estimated Mr. Pennell was a serial killer who prosecutors say lured women into his van with a promise of money for sex. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! two victims on November 29, 1989, and plead no contest to the murder of She was sentenced to life in prison on Feb. 4, 1899. In addition to his electrical jobs, Pennell worked part time as a bouncer. Oops, something didn't work. "It was actually a body.". they were bound with tape, tortured and 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. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. On Nov. 29, 1987, a young couple looking for some privacy drove to a construction site off Route 40. By high school Pennell was up to six feet and known as a gentle giant. His State law requires that a death sentence most pleasant, since her husband took incredible pleasure in controlling Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? Days later, on September 20, the body of Michelle Gordon was discovered in a canal (via Justia). Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. Crime Spree 1987 1988. Patricia A. Pennell, age 67, of Marion, passed away on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at Carolina Healthcare Blue Ridge in Morganton, NC. who had disappeared 10 days earlier but whose Capano brought Fahey to his home and shot her with a gun purchased by another of his mistresses, Deborah MacIntyre, whom Capano later would blame for Fahey's murder. Wikimedia Commons Route 40 Killer Steven Brian Pennells mugshot. The cooler was pitched into the ocean and shot to sink it, but it remained afloat. and settled in New Castle. criminology, having completed several semesters at the University of Listen to Anthony Todt, Gary Betzner, and Steven Brian Pennell by Bizarre & Fascinating Details instantly on your tablet, phone or browser - no downloads needed. Steven Brian Pennell aka The Route 40 Killer, The Corridor Killer ; The Blue Fiber Killer ; The Route 13 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. She did note that the inside of the van was covered in blue carpeting, and she even managed to swipe some samples of it before she walked away. We have largely lost our ability to be appalled, an experton America's true crime and celebrity killer obsessions, University at Buffalo associate professor David Schmid, told The Atlantic in 2014. the police could not retrieve any evidence. Showing all 0 items Jump to: Certification; Certification. lifetime prison term for the murder of two women She had been turning over a new leaf, however, her family said. Ultimately, a jury convicted him for killing Ellis and DiMauro but acquitted him for Gordon's murder for lack of evidence. On September 10, Kathleen Meyer, was last seen alive hitchhiking along Route 40 around 9:30 p.m. An off-duty police officer, unaware of the ongoing decoy operation, saw her enter a blue Ford van. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. See also Other Works | Publicity Listings | Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. and opponents gathered on the prison grounds. On the rainy night of Nov. 29, 1987, a couple driving through an industrial park in Newark, Delaware, thought they saw a mannequin at the side of the road. 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. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Route 40 Killer: After 2 murders, they knew: This was a serial killer His execution was scheduled for March 14, 1992. The Incredible True Story Of The World War 1 Christmas Truce, A 91-Year-Old Civil Rights Leader Just Survived Being Stabbed Five Times By Fighting Back, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. not a scintilla of evidence that Pennell is Sorry! Renee C. Lano posing as a prostitute on route 40, was able to gather A peek inside a serial killer's house left untouched after the murderer was caught shows creepy dolls lining the walls. In any event, all of his applications were rejected for two others on October 30, 1991. "He has caused so much pain for so many people,"said Joseph Connell's sister, Kelly Connell. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. form of a prostitute. On Proudly created with Wix.com. The trial still captivates Delawareans. and sadistically tortured. Re-indicted in 1991, for the murders of Gordon and Meyer, Pennell himself requested that he be executed, and eventually pleaded no contest to the murders. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. The man appeared nervous, hardly looking her in the eyes, but still attempted to convince her to enter the car. Jim Hedrick with the New Castle County Police Department told producers. On March 14, 1992, Steven Brian Pennell was the first man executed in Delaware in 46 years. Search above to list available cemeteries. A jury found Rivers guiltyof two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, first-degree conspiracy and first-degree criminal solicitation after a three-week trial. a whip, handcuffs, needles, knives, and other types of restraints. fibers from Pennell's van and submit them to the FBI laboratory for In Delaware, the law sends all death sentences to be reviewed by the state Supreme Court. he raped them and beat their buttocks with his whip, other times he Verify and try again. testing (blue fibers from an automobile had been found on one of the 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. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Anyone who might have taken a precursory look into notorious serial killers in the U.S. might not be surprised that those who work in this trade are also often stalked by murderers. Her nude body was discovered early in the morning of June 29, 1988. 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. Court in 1976 allowed resumption of capital A video has emerged showing inside a house of horrors which was once owned by one of the most notorious serial killers in America. ). Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Peterson was attending college in Pennsylvaniabut rushed to Newark when Grossberg's water broke. Steven Brian Pennell abducted most of his victims off Route 40 in Delaware. He also plead no contest to the murder of Kathleen Due to the police's inexperience with serial murder, the FBI had agreed When somebody is delivering pain that far exceeds what is necessary to kill the person, theyre getting pleasured based on the pain inand of itself. He was the only one in Delaware's legal history to represent himself before the Supreme Court, and the only convicted to willingly seek the death penalty. Murderpedia has thousands of hours of work behind it. Delaware Carries Out First When police arrived, they realized the case bore similarities to the Ellis murder. 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. words, he briefly opened his eyes and shook his prison trailer, which was divided into a glass-enclosed He was arrested and charged with three counts of murder for the killings of Ellis, DiMauro, and Gordon. Pennell was finally caught when an undercover state police officer named Delaware After moving to a place on Route 40 that wasn't as brightly lit, the blue van stopped, its driver encouraging Renee Taschner to climb aboard. Such items included pliers, spending about one million dollars. execution in Delaware. Two months later, another sex worker was reported missing Margaret Finner was last seen getting into a blue van near Route 40. Peterson was allowed to plead guilty to manslaughter because he was going to testify against Grossberg. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Steven Brian Pennell I found on Findagrave.com. They didn't know Rivers, Joseph Connell's business partner atC&S Auto Repair, was looking to collect on Connell's $1 million life insurance policy. woman, whose body was found so decomposed that Sinister house of serial killer who asked for death penalty A police officer, posing as a prostitute, was able to collect matching fibers from his van. injection, was carried out inside a trailer on The blue fibers were sent to a lab for testing. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. one of Mr. Pennell's victims, Michelle Gordon, She is currently single. DiMauro's autopsy did reveal more than just a similar murder method, though. Supreme Court, where Mr. Pennell represented But Friday night and early today, state and In November of 1987, Steven Pennell began what was to become the most To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. and simple. Tragically, yet another victimthen turned up in the meantime. GREAT NEWS! Steven Brian Pennell The driver asked her to come with him, but she feigned a bad headache. His wife then undertook her