Latest news with #TedBundy
USA Today
4 days ago
- USA Today
A headless torso has been identified 44 years later. Police now seek woman's killer
A headless torso has been identified 44 years later. Police now seek woman's killer In 1981, railroad workers stumbled upon a headless torso in an empty field in San Jose, California. A pair of Christian medallions lay nearby. Show Caption Hide Caption Ted Bundy, Jack the Ripper and DNA: New tech solving murders From Ted Bundy to Jack the Ripper, new DNA technology is solving murder mysteries, finding serial killers, and exonerating innocents. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY Nearly 44 years after two California railroad workers stumbled upon a headless torso in a field in San Jose, detectives have identified the victim as an Oakland grandmother. It was just before 10 a.m. on the morning of July 11, 1981, when the workers made their grisly discovery in an empty field, the San Francisco Examiner reported at the time. The site now harbors a commuter rail transit center and parking structure. The dismembered and decomposing torso, with multiple stab wounds to the chest and no legs or arms, was wrapped in plastic. Nearby lay a pair of Christian medallions, one featuring Saint Christopher and the other the Virgin Mary. 'Vivian Moss was her name,' said Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen in a news release May 27 announcing the development. 'My office knows it. I know it. Her family knows it. And now our community knows it.' The district attorney's cold case unit identified Moss through DNA using forensic genealogy and hope the information will help unveil her killer. Moss, a native of Arkansas, was a 54-year-old grandmother who may have worked at an elementary school in Oakland before her disappearance, the DA's office said. Family members told investigators that Moss was 'close' to preacher Louis H. Narcisse, the late founder of Oakland's Mt. Zion Spiritual Church and a renowned vocalist. How investigators identified Moss In 2023, the Santa Clara DA's office partnered with forensic genealogists at Virginia-based Parabon NanoLabs, who suggested the remains were likely that of Vivian Moss. Cold case unit investigators in 2024 tracked down Moss' granddaughter, who recalled waiting as a young girl in the 1980s for her grandmother to pick her up for an overnight stay at her house. However, the woman said Moss failed to show, and she never saw her grandmother again. The DA's office concluded that the remains were those of Moss based on Parabon's testing comparing the granddaughter's DNA to evidence at the crime scene. Her case was featured in an October 2023 video showcasing the work of the DA's office cold case unit. 'One day soon, I hope we will know the depraved person who took her life and left her in a field, hoping she would be forgotten,' Rosen said. 'If her murderer is still alive, they will know that we don't forget in Santa Clara County.' A close association with preacher A photograph posted on social media by the American Museum of Paramusicology said the Mt. Zion preacher she was close with, Narcisse, was known for his collaborations with gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. According to Narcisse, whose congregants called him "His Grace," wore robes and a crown and carried a staff. He launched churches nationwide and hosted a syndicated Sunday radio show. A profile by British music writer Opal Louis Nations describes Narcisse, who died in 1989, as enthralled with the British monarchy, a man thought by some to work miracles as he spread the gospel in his parish. However, Nations wrote, "others saw him as a devil, con artist and clever snake-oil salesman" with "a darker, exploitative side" who "bled his parishioners dry." The church no longer operates and last posted on social media in November 2023.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Idaho murder victims' loved ones react to bombshell Bryan Kohberger twist that could upend his trial
The friends and families of the Idaho murder victims have voiced their frustration at the latest twist in the Bryan Kohberger trial that threatens to upend the case. A recent Dateline show had revealed new details about the killings, including the suspected killer's phone records, porn choices and online searches for Ted Bundy.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Halfway to Halloween: Ghost tours offer spine-chilling tales of Orlando history
While Orlando is known far and wide as the 'theme park capital of the world,' what many visitors may not know is that the City Beautiful has a dark and storied past. Tales of murder and mystery adorn the pages of Orlando's history books, including appearances from serial killers and ghosts who are said to haunt the city's downtown. U.S. Ghost Adventures, which offers tours in haunted cities across America, is throwing a 'halfway to Halloween' celebration through Saturday, May 17. In Orlando, guests can explore a ghouls-and-ghosts tour and a 'boos and booze' haunted pub crawl. During the special celebration, guides and guests are encouraged to dress up in costume weekend tours. While not every tour will be exactly the same, the hourlong walking ghost tour begins outside the Orange County Regional History Center, where guide Paul Giandomenico noted the second-floor courtroom was where serial killer Ted Bundy had his trial. The tour then continued onto Orange Avenue, stopping in front of the Beacham Theatre. Before it was a concert venue, the site was home to Orlando's first jail. It is rumored that the bodies of prisoners were buried in a makeshift cemetery behind the building — making it a haunted hotspot these days. Underground tunnels connected the performance venue and the Angebilt Hotel across the street. Giandomenico told our tour group that a 1920s vaudeville performer was found dead at the entrance to one of the tunnels with a petrified look on her face but no signs of struggle, perhaps scared to death. A stop on Pine Street showcased the Elijah Hand Building, which formerly housed a funeral parlor and furniture store run by Hand, an Indiana native who served as Orlando's first undertaker. He was also the first person in town to use embalming. The tour continued to the Old Orlando Railroad Depot and the former location of The Strand Hotel on Church Street. The brothel and saloon that once entertained Orlando's visitors is long gone, but it is rumored that the spirits of heartbroken men and children linger. The final stops of the experience included the Cheyenne Saloon and the Rogers Building, which now serves as home to CityArts. While the tour didn't seem to conjure paranormal encounters, it did reveal darker chapters in Orlando's past, the remnants of which can still be experienced today. American Ghost Adventures is another company offering Orlando ghost tours, including paranormal investigations inside some of downtown's haunted buildings. Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@ Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at U.S. Ghost Adventures offers tours daily in downtown Orlando. Tickets are $17 for children younger than 13 and $26 per adult. Children ages 6 and younger attend for free. More information:
Buzz Feed
04-04-2025
- Buzz Feed
23 Shocking And Fascinating Last Meals Of Famous Death Row Inmates
1. John Wayne Gacy was convicted of serial murder in 1978, after authorities learned he was responsible for the deaths of over 33 young men and boys. He was executed by lethal injection in 1994. For his last meal he asked for a bucket of KFC chicken, 12 fried prawns, a pound of strawberries, french fries and a Diet Coke. 2. Ted Bundy was convicted of serial murder in 1978 after he confessed to murdering 30 young women and girls. However, the exact number of victims is suspected to be much higher. He was executed by electrocution in 1989. He declined a special last meal, so he was given the traditional steak (cooked medium-rare), eggs over easy, hash browns, toast, milk, coffee, juice, butter, and jelly, but he did not eat any of it. 3. Aileen Wuornos was convicted of serial murder after killing six people. She was executed by lethal injection in 2002. She declined a special last meal but ate a hamburger and other snacks from her prison's canteen. She also drank a cup of coffee. 4. Dobie Gillis Williams was convicted of murder. A federal judge overturned his case, but he was still executed by lethal injection in 1999 because the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals found information had been given to the jury too late into the trial. For his final meal, he had 12 chocolate bars and some ice cream. 5. Charles Walker was convicted of murder. He was executed by lethal injection in 1990. For his last meal, he ate fried wild rabbit, biscuits, and blackberry pie. 6. Timothy McVeigh was convicted of domestic terrorism and mass murder. He was executed by lethal injection in 2001. For his last meal, he asked for two pints of mint chocolate chip ice cream. 7. Danny Rolling was convicted of serial murder. He was executed by lethal injection in 2006. For his last meal, he asked for lobster tail, butterfly shrimp, baked potato, strawberry cheesecake, and sweet tea. 8. Thomas Knight was convicted of murder. He was executed by lethal injection in 2014. For his last meal, he asked for sweet potato pie, coconut cake, banana nut bread, a quarter bottle of Sprite, two tablespoons of strawberries, butter-pecan ice cream, vanilla ice cream, and Fritos. 9. Loran Kenstley Cole was convicted of murder. He was executed by lethal injection in 2024. For his last meal, he chose pizza, M&M's, ice cream, and a soda. He also shared his final meal with his son and his pen pal from outside prison. 10. Allen Lee Davis was convicted of murder. He was executed by electrocution in 1999. For his last meal, he ate one lobster tail, fried potatoes, a half-pound of fried shrimp, six ounces of fried clams, half a loaf of garlic bread, and 32 ounces of A&W root beer. 11. Burton Abbott was convicted of murder and rape. He was executed by gas chamber in 1957. For his last meal, he ate French fried butterfly jumbo prawns with cocktail sauce, one order of ravioli, tossed green salad (mostly romaine lettuce) with vinegar and oil dressing, chocolate cake, and a pack of Salem cigarettes. 12. Stephen Wayne Anderson was convicted of murder. He was executed by lethal injection in 2002. For his last meal, he chose two grilled cheese sandwiches, one pint of cottage cheese, a hominy-corn mixture, radishes, one slice of peach pie, and one pint of chocolate chip ice cream. 13. Robert Lee Massie was convicted of murder. He was executed by lethal injection in 2001. For his last meal, he chose two vanilla milkshakes, extra crispy french fries, extra crispy fried oysters, and soft drinks. 14. Thomas Martin Thompson was convicted of murder. He was executed by lethal injection in 1998. For his last meal, he chose Alaskan king crab with melted butter, spinach salad, pork fried rice, Mandarin-style spare ribs, a hot fudge sundae, and a six-pack of Coca-Cola. 15. Derrick Ryan Dearman was convicted of mass murder. He was executed by lethal injection in 2024. For his last meal, he chose a seafood platter from a local restaurant consisting of fried catfish, three fried shrimp, three boiled shrimp, three fried oysters, three onion rings, a deviled crab, and two sides. 16. Demetrius Terrence Frazier was convicted of murder. He was executed in 2025 by nitrogen hypoxia. For his last meal, he chose a beefy five-layer burrito, a chicken chalupa supreme, beef crunchy tacos, chips and dip, and a Mountain Dew, all from Taco Bell. 17. Ronald Clark O'Bryan was convicted of murder. He was executed by lethal injection in 1984. For his last meal, he ate a T-bone steak, french fries with ketchup, whole kernel corn, sweet peas, a lettuce and tomato salad with sliced egg and French dressing, iced tea, sweetener, saltines, Boston cream pie, and rolls. 18. James Edward Smith was convicted of murder. He was executed by lethal injection in 1990. For his last meal, he asked for a lump of dirt but his request was denied. He settled for a cup of yogurt instead. 19. Gerald James Bordelon was convicted of murder. He was executed by lethal injection in 2010. For his last meal, he ate fried sac-a-lait fish topped with crawfish étouffée, a peanut butter and apple jelly sandwich, and chocolate chip cookies. 20. Marion Bowman Jr. was convicted of murder. He was executed by lethal injection in 2025. For his last meal, he chose chicken wings, chicken tenders, fried shrimp, fish, oysters, onion rings, banana pudding, German chocolate cake, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice. South Carolina Department of Corrections 21. Robert Anthony Buell was convicted of murder. He was executed by lethal injection in 2002. For his last meal, he chose one single unpitted black olive. Ohio Department of Corrections 22. Finally, Kelly Marie Gissendaner was convicted of murder. She was executed by lethal injection in 2015. For her last meal, she chose cheese dip with chips, Texas nachos with fajita meat, and a diet frosted lemonade. Texas Department of Corrections
Buzz Feed
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
What's The Most "One-In-A-Million" Thing That's Ever Happened To You?
Life is usually pretty boring and monotonous, but some people experience moments that are so unexpected and wild that they could probably be turned into movies. For example, maybe you and some friends went on a relaxing getaway to a cabin in the woods, but while there you literally had to escape home invaders and fend for your lives, a la The Strangers. Rogue Pictures Hey, a lot of scary movies are "inspired by true stories," so maybe they're based on yours! Maybe you were randomly at the bank to make a deposit, and someone started robbing the place while you were inside. Perhaps there was a 14-hour hostage situation, like in Dog Day Afternoon, or maybe you outsmarted the robbers and saved the day. Or maybe you WERE the bank robber and actually got away, like Robert Redford's character in The Old Man & the Gun. Or maybe there's an incredibly juicy story in your family history that's just dying to be turned into a movie. Did your great-grandmother hide Jewish people in her house in Germany to save them from Nazis? Did your mom unknowingly date Ted Bundy, the serial killer? Were you secretly born into a cult that you escaped as a teenager? Do you have an incredibly rare health condition that most people don't even know exists? A24 It's time to spill! Use the comments to tell us your wild, one-in-a-million life experience. If you want to remain anonymous, you can use this form below.
