Former Florida Cop, Gerard Schaefer, Identified as Serial Killer Linked to Teen Murders
In a shocking revelation, former Florida police officer Gerard Schaefer has been identified as a serial killer responsible for the murders of several young women, including the deaths of teenagers Susan Place and Georgia Jessup. Schaefer, who managed to elude capture for years, was eventually handed two life sentences for the killings of Place and Jessup.
The two girls had disappeared on September 27, 1972, from Fort Lauderdale, and their remains were found six months later, reportedly tied to a tree, beheaded, and dismembered. These gruesome murders led to Schaefer’s identification and subsequent conviction, but investigators believe he may have been responsible for the deaths of up to 30 young women.
Described as one of the sickest serial killers, Schaefer shocked even seasoned law enforcement professionals with the extent of his depravity. Retired FBI agent Bill Hagerty stated that Schaefer would easily rank in his top five list of the most notorious serial killers he had encountered throughout his career, comparing him to infamous criminals like Ted Bundy.
Schaefer’s modus operandi involved hanging his victims before engaging in sexual acts with their lifeless bodies. He would then bury them, only to dig up the remains to repeat the horrific process. This sadistic pattern of behavior and the sheer number of potential victims have left investigators searching for answers. Unfortunately, Schaefer took his secrets to the grave when he was stabbed to death by another inmate in 1995.
Despite his conviction for the murders of Place and Jessup, Schaefer is suspected of killing numerous other women. Recent developments have led investigators to identify the remains of Susan Poole, a 15-year-old girl who had been missing since 1972, as another victim of Schaefer’s reign of terror. Through genetic genealogy testing, authorities were able to confirm their suspicions and link her to the serial killer.
Other potential victims include Carmen Marie Hallock and Belinda Hutchins, both 22 years old, as well as Leigh Bonadies Hainline, 25 years old. All three women died in the early 1970s, with evidence linking them to Schaefer. During a search of his mother’s house, authorities discovered Hallock’s teeth and personal documents belonging to two Iowa teens named Collette Marie Goodenough and Barbara Ann Wilcox, whose remains were found in 1977 without their skulls.
Schaefer’s ability to evade capture for so long despite his background as a police officer is alarming. He would often use different names and claim to be from out of state when approaching potential victims. His disturbing upbringing, characterized by abuse and an alcoholic father, may have played a role in the development of his violent and deviant tendencies.
While the families of Schaefer’s victims may finally have some closure, the full extent of his crimes may never be known. With the passage of time and the inability to recover all the victims’ remains, many questions remain unanswered. The identification of Susan Poole, along with ongoing investigations into other potential victims, serves as a grim reminder of the darkness that can lurk within even those tasked with protecting society. It is a tragic chapter in Florida’s history that continues to haunt the memories of all those affected.
