'Truck Stop Serial Killer' gets 65 years in prison for killing of Indianapolis woman
'Truck Stop Serial Killer' gets 65 years in prison for killing of Indianapolis woman A man dubbed the 'Truck Stop Serial Killer' has been sentenced for the 2007 killing of an Indianapolis woman. He is already serving life sentences for two other killings.
Show Caption
Hide Caption
'Closure becomes very sloppy' says family that's waited 17 years for justice
Carma Purpura was abducted from the Flying J truck stop on the southside of Indianapolis and murdered. Her family's waited 17 years for justice.
An Illinois trucker linked to the deaths of at least half a dozen women received a 65-year prison sentence for the killing of one of his victims, an Indianapolis woman.
Bruce Mendenhall, a former long-haul trucker who prosecutors say used the cab of his 18-wheeler as a "killing chamber," was sentenced on Monday after being found guilty last month of murdering Carma Purpura. Her body was found alongside a Kentucky highway over four years after she was last seen at an Indianapolis truck stop.
The sentence in Marion County Indiana for the killing of the 31-year-old mother is just the latest for Mendenhall, dubbed by local media as the "Truck Stop Serial Killer." The 73-year-old is already serving two life sentences for the killing of two women in Tennessee. He is also charged with murdering a woman in Alabama.
Investigators believe he's behind killings in Georgia and Indiana, according to reporting by the Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network. Mendenhall also received a 30-year prison sentence for soliciting the murder of three witnesses in the case of the murder he was first arrested for, Sara Nicole Hulbert, a 25-year-old found in a Nashville parking lot, according to the Star.
The convicted serial killer's murder spree took place in 2007. Nashville police arrested him just hours after he was last seen with Purpura early on July 12 of that year. He was convicted in 2010 of killing Hulbert and in 2018 for the killing of Symantha Winters, 48, of Lebanon, Tennessee.
His sentencing Monday brings an end to the 17-year wait for justice for Purpura's family.
Catching a killer
Mendenhall may have never been caught if not for a chance encounter with an astute detective.
On the morning of July 12, 2007, police spotted a yellow truck similar to one seen on surveillance footage near a parking lot in Nashville where a woman's body was found two weeks earlier. Veteran homicide investigator Pat Postiglione approached the 18-wheeler and spied blood on the thumb of the man behind the wheel— Mendenhall. He asked to look inside.
More: Family of woman murdered by suspected serial killer has waited 17 years for justice
The search uncovered blood throughout the truck's cab, on a .22 caliber rifle and inside a trash bag containing women's clothing and shoes. Police also found an ATM card, cellphone and other items belonging to Purpura.
He asked Mendenhall if he was the man police were looking for in connection with the body found at the truck stop. Mendenhall stared back and shrugged. 'If you say so,' he said.
The interaction at the Nashville truck stop gave police a lead that connected Mendenhall to the four killings for which he was ultimately charged.
Trucker charged in 4 murders, suspect in others
All four women Mendenhall was charged with killing in 2007 died similarly – left nude, heads covered in plastic bags secured with tape and shot in the back of the head. He kept souvenirs from at least some of his victims, records show, including hair and a tattoo cut from one victim.
The body of Symantha Winters, 48, was found June 6 stuffed into a garbage can at the Pilot Travel Center in Lebanon, a community about 25 mile east of Nashville. Mendenhall received a life sentence for the killing in 2018.
Sara Nicole Hulbert, 25, was last seen alive June 25 in Nashville. Her body was found in the same parking lot where police arrested Mendenhall. He was convicted in 2010 in her killing.
Mendenhall next faces charges in Alabama for the the July 1, 2007, killing of Lucille "Greta" Carter. The 44-year-old woman's body was dumped next to a trash bin on a service road in Birmingham.
Purpura was last seen in the early morning hours of July 12 talking to Mendenhall at a Flying J Travel Center in south Indianapolis. Her body was found alongside a Kentucky highway four years later.
More: How an alert detective and a victim named Carma ended trucker's multi-state murder spree
Police suspect Mendenhall is also behind the killings of Deborah Ann Glover, 43, and Sherry Drinkard, 43, in 2007, according to the Star. Glover's body was found January 29 in a motel parking lot in Suwanee, about 30 miles northeast of Atlanta. Drinkard's body was found February 22 at a TravelCenters of America truck stop in Lake Station, outside Gary, Indiana.
More: Chicago teen charged as serial murderer: 'Difficult to comprehend' six killings
Who are some of the most notorious serial killers of the century?
Stories of serial killers from Jack the Ripper to John Wayne Gacy can make their heinous crimes seem like a thing of the past. But cases like Mendenhall's show they are not a dying breed.
Chicago authorities announced last week they caught a suspected teen serial killer. Antonio Reyes, now 21, is charged with six murders.
Around the same time Mendenhall was on his killing spree in the U.S., authorities in Russia were prosecuting Alexander Pichushkin, the so-called "Chessboard Killer" because after his arrest police discovered a chessboard with dates in each square that corresponded with different killings. He was ultimately convicted of killing 48 people.
Anthony Sowell, known as the Cleveland Strangler, was convicted of murdering 11 women between 2007 and his arrest in 2009. He died in prison in 2021.
Police arrested and charged Rex Heuermann in 2023 in connection with the Gilgo Beach serial killings. The 61-year-old is charged with murdering seven women. Many of their remains were found on the Long Island beach in 2010 and 2011.
Reta Mays, a former nursing assistant, pleaded guilty in 2020 to injecting eight veterans with lethal amounts of insulin, killing seven in 2017 and 2018. She was sentenced to multiple life sentences in prison.
More: Chicago serial murder suspect charged with terrorizing guard, inmate behind bars
Contributing by Tim Evans, Investigations Editor at the Indianapolis Star.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Heartbreaking Update on Investigation Into Death of Brett Gardner's Son
Nearly three months after the shocking death of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner's 14-year-old son, Miller, authorities have been unable to rule out a homicide. Miller Gardner died on March 21st, 2025, at a resort in Costa Rica, where he was vacationing with his family. Authorities initially considered asphyxiation and food poisoning, but later cited carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause of death, with a carboxyhemoglobin saturation of 64% detected in Miller's body. They also initially insisted that it was an accident. Now, in mid-June, officials have yet to determine if the gut-wrenching tragedy was indeed an accident or otherwise. Officials in Costa Rica, according to ESPN, are attempting 'to determine whether the cause of death was a homicide or not, and, if so, to establish responsibility.' Adding to the concern about the death of Brett Gardner's son is the fact that authorities aren't exactly indicating that the investigation into whether or not this is a homicide is part of standard operating procedure. Asked precisely by ESPN if there is some concern that would lead them to keep looking beyond the accidental, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office said the following: 'The purpose of the investigation is precisely to determine whether or not we are dealing with a possible homicide. For this reason, it is not possible at this time to confirm or rule out that a crime has been committed.' This is not to say they're leaning one way or the other. But the fact that we're in June and they can't rule out foul play on a 14-year-old is shocking. There is reportedly no timetable to reach a conclusion either. RELATED: All of this has to be a heartbreaking layer to an already tragic story for Brett Gardner and the whole family. 'We have so many questions and so few answers at this point, but we do know that he passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Friday, March 21st,' a statement from the family read at the time of Miller's death. 'Miller was a beloved son and brother, and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile,' it continued. 'He loved football, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family and his friends. He lived life to the fullest every single day.' Now, the questions still linger, sadly. Brett Gardner spent his entire 14-year MLB career with the New York Yankees, debuting in 2008 and becoming a key outfielder known for his speed, defensive prowess, and clutch hitting. He helped the team win a World Series title in 2009 and earned an All-Star nod in 2015. Gardner retired in 2022, leaving a legacy as a reliable, hard-working player who embodied the Yankee spirit. Fans adored Gardner for his gritty, never-say-die attitude, hustling on every play and delivering in big moments. His loyalty to the team, staying with the Yankees his entire career, cemented him as a fan favorite in the Bronx. Also Read:: Browns Quarterback Joe Flacco, 40, Reveals if He Plans to do Any Dancing TikTok Videos Related Headlines Ranking 9 New York Knicks coach options after failing in pursuit of Jason Kidd and Ime Udoka NHL rumors: Insider sheds light on Florida Panthers' desire to re-sign Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand NFC East RB Rankings for 2025: Ranking the best running backs in the NFC East right now NFC North RB Rankings for 2025: Ranking best running back tandems in NFC North
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Kilmar Abrego Garcia case: New allegations detailed during Nashville court hearing
A federal agent shared new details about the human smuggling allegations against Kilmar Abrego Garcia during his detention hearing June 13. He is charged with conspiracy to transport aliens and unlawful transportation of undocumented aliens. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment shortly after 10 a.m. June 13. Nearly all of the accusations came from co-conspirators and other witnesses who have cooperated with the government. Defense attorneys challenged the cooperators' testimony because they stood to gain in their ongoing immigration or criminal cases. 'This house of cards is built on the testimony of unverified cooperators," Federal Public Defender Dumaka Shabazz said in the government's argument that afternoon. Shabazz argued their evidence should be given 'zero weight.' Here are some of the new allegations the federal agent shared from his investigation into Abrego Garcia's case. Homeland Security Investigations special agent Peter Joseph did not begin investigating the 2022 traffic stop in Cookeville that is central to the charges until April 28, 2025. That was three weeks before a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Abrego Garica. Joseph said people in Central and South America paid $8,000 to enter the U.S. illegally through the alleged human smuggling operation. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who is alleged to have picked up people in Texas and driven them around the country, received between $1,000-1,400 per trip and made between 1-2 trips per week, according to a co-conspirator, Joseph said. The car Abrego Garcia was driving during at the time of the 2022 traffic stop was owned by Jose Hernandez-Reyes, according to Joseph. Hernandez-Reyes has been convicted of alien smuggling. Agents are still investigating but have determined six of then nine people in the car were in the U.S. illegally and had arrived from Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador, Joseph said. Two of those people had been apprehended and returned to Mexico on Nov. 6, 2022, just days before Joseph alleges they reentered the country illegally. One of the people in the car was 15 years old at the time of the stop, according to information they reported to the state troopers that night. After Joseph mentioned Abrego Garcia was stopped on Interstate 81 in Virginia, the USA Today Network has learned of two times he had been stopped there, neither of which were widely reported. Court records show Abrego Garcia was pulled over in April 2015 in Virginia. He was issued a $67 fine for a High Occupancy Vehicle violation and charged with a misdemeanor for driving without a license. That charge was dismissed. In addition to the 2015 stop, Matthew Demlein, public relations coordinator for the Virginia State Police, said Abrego Garcia was cited in 2021. He was cited for speeding and driving on an expired license. Both were misdemeanors, Demlein said. He paid a $144 fine and $79 court fee, and the driving without a license charge was dismissed, court records show. Several of the five witnesses who cooperated with the government in building its case either are seeking to receive either a withholding of removal on a pending deportation case or favorable treatment in a criminal case, prosecutors admitted. A co-conspirator said about 30% of the alleged smuggling business's customers were gang members. Nick Penzenstadler contributed to this story. Have questions about the justice system? Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him with questions, tips or story ideas at emealins@ This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: New details in Kilmar Abrego Garcia case revealed during hearing
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
Death of Brett Gardner's son could still be ruled homicide
The post Death of Brett Gardner's son could still be ruled homicide appeared first on ClutchPoints. In late March, former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner's 14-year-old son Miller passed away. Tragically, Miller became severely ill during a family vacation in Costa Rica. Afterward, Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ) opened an investigation into the circumstances of his death. As of now, the investigation remains open, and Miller's death potentially could be ruled as a homicide, per Gueorgui Milkov and Anthony Olivieri of ESPN. In March, investigators initially told ESPN that they believed Miller's death was accidental. In early April, Miller's death was attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning. A spokeswoman from the Prosecutor's Office of Costa Rita handling the case said to ESPN regarding a homicide investigation: 'The purpose of the investigation is precisely to determine whether or not we are dealing with a possible homicide. For this reason, it is not possible at this time to confirm or rule out that a crime has been committed.' According to the OIJ, Miller and his family went out to dinner at a local restaurant. The family said that the food made them sick. Initially, investigators suspected Miller's death was the result of asphyxiation, but it was ruled out. During the investigation, the OIJ examined the room the Gardner family was staying in at the Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort. Afterward, the OIJ stated that 'high emissions of carbon monoxide were detected.' Miller Gardner grew up in South Carolina. He played baseball and football at Pinewood Preparatory School in Summerville. While there, Miller wore his father's No. 11 jersey. Brett Gardner played in MLB for 14 seasons with the Yankees before retiring in 2021. He was a part of the 2009 World Series-winning team. Over time, Gardner emerged as one of the most popular players on the team. During that time, he was the longest-tenured player on the Yankees roster. In addition, Gardner received an All-Star nomination in 2015 and a Gold Glove Award in 2016. Related: Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino gets brutally honest on challenging Yankees series Related: Yankees' Aaron Boone shares Jazz Chisholm Jr. update before Red Sox series
