To my parents, who followed me out to America, for their unconditional love and continued support with my journey through life.
First and foremost, I want to thank true crime author and criminologist Christopher Berry-Dee; without his unwavering help this book could not have been written.
Several of his books, including Talking with Serial Killers, are in the library at the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit (BSU), Quantico. His total devotion to this book – including editing, advising me, sharing his experience, gained from his history in criminology, his award-winning series on serial killers, and his 26 published books (still counting) – have helped put me on a path to follow in his footsteps. Not only do I respect his knowledge of this sensitive subject matter but I have the admiration for his talent as a crime writer. I’m so glad I listened to all of his advice.
Although I may be new to writing books, I am, however, quite confident in my knowledge of serial killers because I have studied them for over a decade. Thanks to Christopher’s never-ending support and guidance, I’m looking forward to writing my next book.
Many, many thanks to my publisher, John Blake, for commissioning this book. Lunch, at your club in London, was one of the most exciting meetings of my life (and the duck was delicious!). Also to my editor, John Wordsworth.
I would also like to thank the Oregon State Penitentiary, California Death Row at San Quentin State Prison, Florida Death Row at Union Correctional Facility, Menard State Penitentiary, the Los Angeles County Jail, and many more State facilities.
Thanks to Judge Michael Smith; forensic psychiatrist Dr Michael Stone; forensic psychologist Dr Paul Berg; Coroner Frank Jaeger; Deputy Van Buskirk; Coroner Glen Sipma; Pastor James Ray; Valerie Rondi – ‘thank God you made it out alive!’; Jeff Bergman, my super cameraman in Illinois; Tim Carr, my great cameraman in Florida; and to my lawyer, Pamela Forster; and journalist/author Phil Stanford.
A big thank you to all the wonderful guards – including a few grumpy ones, who I will not mention by name – who have helped make this book possible. I must give a special mention to Officer Castellanos from California Death Row, San Quentin: you are a great man with a wonderful heart and now I can consider you to also be my friend.
Now to the most important people in my life: my parents. Although they disapprove of this subject matter and my mother will never read this book, they have nevertheless supported me, and have never once turned their back on me. I have even included my father in a few interviews with two of the serial killers in this book. It was certainly an experience for him to tell my mother – again she listened with her hands over her ears!
Thank you to so many more people who have supported me along this dark journey: Isabelle, Dana, Molly, Desiree, Melanie, Shanna, Meri, Linda, Natalie, Teresa, Doreen and Edwin, Alba and Cliff … yes, and all my LA County Deputy Sheriff friends who have been there for me through thick and thin over the past 15 years.
I owe a great debt of gratitude to several agents from the FBI’s BSU at Quantico. Indeed, the American people owe these agents so much for their unstinting efforts in protecting our loved ones.
Thank you also to the serial killers and inmates of the US Correctional System who feature in Serial Killers: Up Close and Very Personal. As distasteful as it may seem, and I pity them not, I have acknowledged these men because as a society we are duty bound to hear their words; we need to understand why they committed serial homicide in order to make the world a safer place.
Wayne Ford – the first serial killer I ever met. Although it took time, thank you for giving me your trust even though, from what you told me, it may have cost you your life.
Keith Jesperson – although you don’t stop talking, at least you did talk and it was interesting.
Gary Ray Bowles – you opened up with me on every level and I appreciate your trust in me. Your artistic talent is very good – keep it up and thank you.
Bobby Joe Long – although you refused to go on camera, you were respectful toward me in your letters and cards, and also when I met with you and your mother in person. I have kept my promise to you and have not published your private correspondence in this book.
Robin Gecht – I will maintain the fight to get your DNA tested. I still want to get to the truth. Despite our numerous arguments, you opened up the possibility that while someone can be accused of horrific acts, they might still be innocent, and that individual could be you.
Finally, I need to acknowledge those who have lost their loved ones at the hands of these human predators. All too often, far too much attention is given to the criminals themselves, far less to the next-of-kin and close friends who have suffered so terribly. Nobody can understand your pain except you, and my heart goes out to you.
With these sentiments running right through me, I hope that I have struck the right balance throughout the writing of this book – hopefully, I have got most of it right, while I also understand that sometimes I might have crossed an emotional boundary, and got it wrong. If the latter applies, please do not hesitate to write to me, via my website: www.victoriaredstall.com. I always reply.
Contents
Title Page
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Author’s Note
Foreword
Introduction
1 Wayne Adam Ford – Killer with a Conscience
2 Keith Hunter Jesperson – The Happy Face Killer
3 Gary Ray Bowles – Rollin’ on a River of Fear
4 Robert ‘Bobby Joe’ Joseph Long – The Streetwalker Slayer
5 Robin Gecht – The ‘Alleged’ Chicago Ripper
Summary
Copyright
The author affirms that the sources and references used in this book have been drawn from the following:
The offenders: verbally recorded – audio and filmed – statements; exclusive written correspondence with the author, and others; sworn, signed and sealed affidavits, and official law enforcement and court transcripts.
The witnesses: verbally recorded – audio and filmed – statements; exclusive written correspondence with the author, and others; sworn and sealed affidavits, and official law enforcement and court transcripts.
Forensic and autopsy reports: drawn from verbally recorded statements made by the medical examiners and investigators concerned; mostly from verifiable documents not generally in the public domain but available upon request.
Although some of the individuals’ names featured in this book may differ from previously published material – Internet/TV/motion picture transmissions – the names used in this book are the true names sourced from official documents, also available upon request from the jurisdictional agency concerned.
Foreword by Christopher Berry-Dee
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