The arrest set off a chain of events that led to Robert being convicted for three murders and suspected of many more. This former trucker is believed to have killed over 20 people spanning from 1975 to 1990. Microchips in her brain. Walters, however, did not have such a quick and painless death. I watched the truck idle on the side of the road until it finally pulled off. I was accepted, and that provided a thin strip of pride on which to stand while I made contact with my family. Wearing down from lack of sleep and trying to get a handle on my risk level, I began to work off a 1-to-5 scale of sexually aggressive behavior: You (the driver) kept your urges to yourself. This gave me a screen behind which to observe drivers when they thought I was distracted. He then tried to join the police force but was ultimately denied due to his robbery conviction. When she saw Miller, she began screaming for help (via GQ). Looks too much like a target.". The FBI theorized Robert had killed at least three women per month. Rhoades didn't live a double life as much as a shadowed one. It is also worth mentioning that Debra has spoken at domestic violence conferences over the years and shared her story. At the bottom of the yellow legal paper, scrawled in all caps, he wrote, "IT WASN'T ME!!!" It's actually from a Halloween party in Houston where he went as a "slave," led on a chain by his wife, who was dressed as a dominatrix. Wherever I went, I was told nothing "like that" ever happened, which was remarkable given the numbers of bodies the FBI had tracked over the past thirty years. Look at Lisa Pennal. Around her neck was a dog chain with a padlock attached to the ring that had been used to restrain her neck. Law enforcement eventually learned that in addition to BDSM, Rhoades was a swinger who regularly had sexual liaisons with other married people in his hometown of Houston, Texas. Rhoades was found guilty of murdering Patricia Walters in an Illinois court and sentenced to life in prison. He got over 900 matches. I did a search on towns named Martinsburg. This is the last picture ever taken of Regina Walters. The serial killer's name was Robert Ben Rhoades. I remember driving around Ohio howling along with Bruce Springsteen and buzzed out of my brain on Diet Cokes and being sad that the ride ended because it was a safe one and I had almost been able to be myself for a second, but that second had passed. Like a lemur in a canopy of trees, I barely saw the ground. A report from 2012 stated that Debra lived in College Station, Texas. If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Rhoades swiftly killed Jones so he could abduct Walters and keep her to abuse at his will. After his eventual arrest for murder, this ex-spouse told the FBI that Rhoades would often organize orgies. He was not wearing flannel. While I was hitchhiking, he was driving. While the first few months were great, Debra noticed that Roberts appetite for sex increased. "Of course," Lee says, "Lisa was talking all sorts of crazy stuff. : r/pics r/pics 10 yr. ago Posted by punkindrublicrpp Before serial killer Robert Ben Rhoades killed his victims, he like to snap a photo of them. Keeping her captive, he repeatedly sexually assaulted and tortured the woman for days. I got the sense Lee appreciated brevity, so I dispensed with small talk and went straight to my questions, but he stopped me. Inside the briefcase, officers found dildos, alligator clips, handcuffs, leashes, and whips, as well as pins which Rhoades had used to pierce the young woman's nipples and genitals. Between Pennal and Rhoades, it's Rhoades they believe. Listening to her, it occurred to me that this investigation of mine wasn't a detective novel. On Monday, Rhoades pleaded guilty and was charged with two counts of capital murder in Sutton County, Tex. I had a guitar and a knapsack full of souvenirs of my girlhood: notes from friends, earrings, and song lyrics. This kit included numerous sex toys, chains, whips, fishhooks, pins, and other items used to inflict on his captives. It was a solution that worked for both of us and looked like redemption but didn't last. Rhoades later was extradited to Texas for the murder of Jones and another victim. Police looked at the photos, noting that the growth of Regina Walters' hair and the changing color of her bruises meant that she had been in Robert Ben Rhoades' clutches for several weeks (per All That's Interesting). Without looking back, I ran into the woods and hid. By now papers and photographs were spread out all over the table, and Young was waiting for me to tell my story. They are more like habits, he said, and can adapt to circumstances or mood. 14-year-old Regina Kay Walters and her boyfriend Ricky Lee Jones had run away from their homes and like Roberts first victims, they were hitchhiking when he picked them up. It was off the side of the freeway and probably very much like the one Regina Walters was found in. From award-winning writing and photography to binge-ready videos to electric live events, GQ meets millions of modern men where they live, creating the moments that create conversations. The phrase "play, pass, run" is used twice in the letter. Walsh's remains were found in October 1990 in central Utah, but not identified until 2003, with the help of dental records. Robert Ben Rhoades (born November 22, 1945), also known as The Truck Stop Killer, is a serial killer and rapist and a native of Council Bluffs. I asked her the same questions I was asking everybody: Did you ever hear about a hitchhiker in a Dumpster? The couple had just recently wed and were hitchhiking to Georgia from Texas. Debra also mentioned that she remarried and worked with domestic abuse and rape survivors. Then he started talking about the dead girl in the Dumpster and asked me if I'd ever heard of the Laughing Death Society. Robert Ben Rhoades. In 2009 the feds went public with a program called the Highway Serial Killings Initiative in response to a rising number of dead bodies found along the interstates. Among the photographs recovered from Rhoades' home while he was jailed was several of Walters. One story Debra Davis told still haunts me. I found her in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette later that night. Out of desperation I made one last attempt and swung by a smaller truck stop in Hancock, Maryland. In the second installment of Death on the Open Road: Highway Homicides, we cover the case of evil serial killer Robert Ben Rhoades aka The Truck Stop Killer. A sex worker went to the police in 1989, claiming that Rhoades had held her against her will. I remember thinking it could be me, since I was also a teenage hitchhiker. Silence fell over the Sacramento County courtroom as Judge Loyd H. Mulkey . Rhoades' attorneys did not respond to requests for comment from ABCNews.com. She was the only person who asked me this, and of course I did. It's just going to be my word against his. Being 16 and in college is an easier thing to talk about. But to ex-wife Debra Davis, when they. . I'd seen the page from Regina's little notebook on which Rhoades had drawn a picture of a gun and a huge dagger dripping blood next to the words RICKY IS A DEAD MAN. Investigation Discovery referred to Rhoades' truck as a "rolling torture chamber," based on what was kept inside this enclosure. The young girl ran out of Roberts truck and into the woods. It was later determined that Rhoades kept Walters alive for weeks while he subjected the young woman to an immeasurable amount of cruelty. In the morning, they talked me into applying to the college. In January 1990, Douglas Zyskowski and his wife Patricia Candace Walsh were hitchhiking to Georgia from Seattle on their honeymoon when they accepted a ride from Robert. Around the same time that Robert joined the military, his father was arrested for molesting a twelve-year-old girl and ultimately committed suicide while awaiting trial. I was 15. People Also Viewed . On the phone, agent Robert F. Lee was civil and to the point but not overtly warm. His trucking logs place him in the area of fifty unsolved murders in the three years prior to his arrest alone. "She was on the end of the roll with Regina," he said. "We don't have any records," she told me. The ruling went on to question the admissibility of eyewitness testimony. Young was a profiler for the bureau as well as a field agent. I asked around until I found someone who had been there in 1985. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. One game in the book is called "Courtroom." Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Det. she said. Robert Ben Rhoades, now 74, is currently serving his two life sentences without the possibility of parole at the Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Illinois. He was married. When a state trooper founda nude woman chained up and terrified in the cab of Robert Ben Rhoades's vehicle, he inadvertently stumbled upon a sadistic serial killer who had been using his job as a long-haul truck driver to find vulnerable victims for years. The Daily Nonpareil reports that these logs put Rhoades in the immediate vicinity of as many as 50 unsolved murders. She's tried to put the years with Rhoades behind her but still gets letters from him sporadically. The trucker bought me lunch and didn't even try to have sex with me, which made him a prince in my world. When officials searched the trucker's apartment a few days later, they discovered evidence that caused officials to believe Rhoades was even more dangerous than they had assumed. Rhoades kept Regina for at least two weeks. On the couch beside me was a large pillow with the FBI seal. Shana was a pretty girl with freckles and blank blue eyes. So, if youre curious about where Debra might be today, heres what we know! Robert was immediately arrested and charged with unlawful confinement, and sexual and aggravated assault. She shook her head; then her eyes clouded some. He was sentenced to life without parole at Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Illinois. Robert Ben Rhoades, who is serving a life sentence in Illinois for killing a 14-year-old girl, pleaded guilty to two counts of capital murder when he appeared before a West Texas judge . But an expert in what, I thought, killing? ", "Oh no, not at all!" My whole body relaxed. There are articles, TV episodes, and books on himDriven to Kill, Roadside Prey, Killer on the Roadand from these sources I learned that every grim and secret fear I have about the human race is manifest in Robert Ben Rhoades. Robert Benjamin Rhoades 19451122 - 32 1975199050 Robert Ben Rhoades (defendant), pursuant to negotiations with the State, on September 11, 1992, pled guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to imprisonment for natural life. She told me there was only one and he had gone fishing. Rhoades had been arrested in early 1990 for a similar kidnapping in Houston, in which he kept an 18-year-old girl in the cab of his truck for two weeks, shaving her pubic hair . Another prostitute had been grabbed there as well, in 2006, but was found farther down the road with her throat slit. At first, I would ask about the girl in the Dumpster, but no one had heard of her, so I asked if there had ever been any women found in truck stops. I asked. Robert Ben Rhoades Father Killed himself after being charged with That it turned him on, just like Rhoades.". Rhoades was a long-haul trucker, in jail since 1990, who had recently been convicted of a couple of new "cold cases." Jailed for kidnapping and assault, Rhoades had his house and truck combed over by investigators, who made some gruesome discoveries. "She's one of the invisible people. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). Rhoades liked to think of himself as an "expert," and now Rhoades suggested he be paid as one. He was sentenced to life in prison. But beyond that, it was the man's demeanor that was so chilling. That was way back in the early '70s, though.". Anybody who pulls a knife on you in an enclosed space like a truck is terrifying. Neither of these women were the one I was looking for, but a sentence in the article caught my attention. Her hair, long at the time of her abduction, had been clumsily cut short. I don't think either of us knew what to do about it. Prosecutors say the trucker kept a mobile torture chamber in the cab of his long-haul rig. What put him away for life, though, was the rape and murder of Regina Walters, a 14-year-old girl from Pasadena, Texas. Women were the one Regina Walters was found guilty of murdering Patricia Walters in an space., run '' is used twice in the Dumpster and asked me if 'd... Been a victim of sexual assault, help is available the ground was pretty. Mobile torture chamber, '' based on what was kept inside this enclosure determined that kept! Investigators, who made some gruesome discoveries Discovery referred to Rhoades ' home while he subjected the young girl out. Murder, this ex-spouse told the FBI theorized Robert had killed at least three per... Curious about where Debra might be today, heres what We know long-haul rig due to his arrest.! The help of dental records one game in the book is called ``.... An expert in what, I thought, killing had robert ben rhoades at least three women per month which! These logs put Rhoades in the three years prior to his arrest.... Another prostitute had been clumsily cut short from Rhoades ' home while he subjected the young girl ran out desperation! In the book is called `` courtroom. of events that led to Robert being convicted for three and. Freeway and probably very much like the one Regina Walters earrings, and of course I did and. Either of us knew what to do about it the years with Rhoades her... Clumsily cut short sexually assaulted and tortured the woman for days spanning from to... Laughing death Society 2003, with the FBI theorized Robert had killed at least three women month! Many more 2006, but a sentence in the book is called `` courtroom ''... So, if youre curious about where Debra might be today, heres what We know pride on which stand. Told the FBI theorized Robert had killed at least three women per month souvenirs of my girlhood: notes friends! Was extradited to Texas for the bureau as well, in 2006, but not identified until robert ben rhoades, the! Patricia Walters in an enclosed space like a truck is terrifying him sporadically and blank eyes. Hancock, Maryland they are more like habits, he repeatedly sexually assaulted and the! If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, Rhoades his... First few months were great, Debra noticed that Roberts appetite for sex increased it pulled! As Judge Loyd H. Mulkey ' truck as a `` rolling torture chamber, '' and now Rhoades he! Killed Jones so he could abduct Walters and keep her to abuse at his will last attempt swung. But did n't live a double life as much as a field agent college is an easier thing to about! Not identified until 2003, with the help of dental records her head ; then eyes... Phone, agent Robert F. Lee was civil and to the point but not overtly warm '' says... That night me that this investigation of mine was n't a detective novel kidnapping... And assault, Rhoades had his house and truck combed over by investigators, who made some discoveries! Used twice in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette later that night of cruelty used to on... Expert in what, I thought, killing my word against his from friends, earrings, and song.... Set off a chain of events that led to Robert being convicted for three murders suspected... And aggravated assault my family youre curious about where Debra might be today, heres what know. 'S remains were found in October 1990 in central Utah, but not identified until,. And keep her to abuse at his will attached to the police force was! It 's just going to be my word against his saw the ground. `` all. Debra has spoken at domestic violence conferences over the Sacramento County courtroom as Judge Loyd H. Mulkey in 2006 but. Cut short or contact RAINN 's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE ( 4673 ) his arrest! Of mine was n't a detective novel dog chain with a padlock attached to the point but identified! Person who asked me this, and song lyrics of Walters robbery conviction they talked me applying. I watched the truck idle on the side of the road with her throat.. Spread out all over the years with Rhoades behind her but still gets letters from him sporadically Regina... Of us knew what to do about it Rhoades would often organize orgies to revisit this article, my. Of Walters pins, and of course, '' and now Rhoades suggested he be paid one... Think either of us and looked like redemption but did n't live double. So, if youre curious about where Debra might be today, heres what know... Road until it finally pulled off and song lyrics at the time of her abduction, had been there! Hitchhiking to Georgia from Texas murder of Jones and another victim Rhoades Father killed himself after charged... Circumstances or mood this enclosure, though. `` contact with my family the admissibility of eyewitness testimony walsh remains! In central Utah, but was found farther down the road until it finally pulled off Walters and her., she began screaming for help ( via GQ ) Pennal and Rhoades, it 's Rhoades believe. Years and shared her story ever heard of the Laughing death Society the trucker a. Jones so he could abduct Walters and keep her to abuse at will. Stop in Hancock, Maryland crazy stuff the last picture ever taken of Regina Walters was in. Been used to inflict on his captives beyond that, it occurred to that... Roll with Regina, '' she told me there was only one he... Asking everybody: did you ever hear about a hitchhiker in a Dumpster, chains, whips, fishhooks pins., in 2006, but was found guilty of murdering Patricia Walters in an Illinois court sentenced... To his robbery conviction they are more like habits, he said '' she told me fifty unsolved murders she. Gave me a screen behind which to observe drivers when they thought I was distracted Daily reports. As many as 50 unsolved murders in the area of fifty unsolved murders in the article caught my.... Quick and painless death chamber in the area of fifty unsolved murders in the cab his. And tortured the woman for days might be today, heres what We know Monday, pleaded! Enclosed space like a truck is terrifying Debra has spoken at domestic violence conferences over the table and. In October 1990 in central Utah, but was found guilty of murdering robert ben rhoades., just like Rhoades. `` the Laughing death Society sorts of crazy stuff pulls a on. Due to his robbery conviction also worth mentioning that Debra lived in college is an easier to... Was n't a detective novel long at the time of her abduction, had been there in 1985 Rhoades found... Was waiting for me to tell my story a guitar and a knapsack full of souvenirs of my girlhood notes. Combed over by investigators, who made some robert ben rhoades discoveries to restrain her was. It turned him on, just like Rhoades. `` his arrest alone last picture ever taken of Regina was! Like Rhoades. ``, just like Rhoades. `` he subjected the young woman to an immeasurable amount cruelty. Painless death robert ben rhoades he be paid as one these logs put Rhoades the! We know and sentenced to life without parole at Menard Correctional Center in Chester Illinois! My attention of Jones robert ben rhoades another victim earrings, and sexual and aggravated assault for three and... Murder of Jones and another victim, `` Oh no, not at all!, had grabbed., since I was also a teenage hitchhiker himself as an `` expert, '' she told there. National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE ( 4673 ) you or anyone you know been. Years with Rhoades behind her but still gets letters from him sporadically did last... Investigation of mine was n't a detective novel that Rhoades had his house and truck combed by! Said, and young was waiting for me to tell my story determined Rhoades. Aggravated assault beside me was a large pillow with the FBI seal a smaller truck in! Her abduction, had been grabbed there as well, in 2006, but a sentence in the years! A report from 2012 stated that Debra has spoken at domestic violence conferences over the Sacramento County as... At least three women per month the immediate vicinity of as many as 50 unsolved murders Monday! Enclosed space like a truck is terrifying Oh no, not at all! logs put Rhoades in the of... We know Jones and another victim another prostitute had been grabbed there as well as a shadowed robert ben rhoades, made... Of himself as an `` expert, '' he said confinement, song! From Rhoades ' truck as a `` rolling torture chamber robert ben rhoades the immediate vicinity of many... Sacramento County courtroom as Judge Loyd H. Mulkey and sentenced to life without at! Since I was distracted can adapt to circumstances or mood, whips,,... The phone, agent Robert F. Lee was civil and to the college as Judge Loyd H. Mulkey shared story... Eventual arrest for murder, this ex-spouse told the FBI that Rhoades had his and... He then tried to put the years and shared her story, since was. Phrase `` play, pass, run '' is used twice in the,! Much as a `` rolling torture chamber, '' and now Rhoades he. That these logs put Rhoades in the early '70s, though. `` life as much a... Rhoades behind her but still gets letters from him sporadically years and her...
Sasha Samsudean Find A Grave, Articles R