Arthur Shawcross, who would later become known as the Genesee River Killer and the Rochester Strangler, was born on June 6, 1945, in Maine. He grew up in a troubled household, with an abusive father and a mother who struggled with mental illness. As a child, Shawcross displayed signs of violent behavior, often torturing animals and exhibiting a lack of empathy towards others.
Shawcross's criminal behavior began at a young age, with multiple arrests for petty theft and vandalism during his teenage years. He was eventually convicted of arson at the age of 18, which led to a short stint in juvenile detention. Despite these early warning signs, Shawcross's behavior continued to escalate as he grew older.
At the age of 21, Shawcross was drafted into the Army and sent to Vietnam to serve in the war. His time in the military only seemed to exacerbate his violent tendencies, as he later claimed to have committed acts of brutality against the enemy during his tour of duty. The traumatic experiences he endured in Vietnam would have a lasting impact on Shawcross's mental state.
Throughout his life, Shawcross was married three times. His first marriage resulted in the birth of a son, but the relationship ultimately ended in divorce. Shawcross's subsequent marriages were also marred by turmoil and instability, with allegations of abuse and infidelity on his part. His tumultuous relationships reflected the chaotic nature of his personal life.
Shawcross's criminal record was extensive, with convictions for a variety of offenses ranging from theft to arson. However, his most heinous crimes came to light in 1972 when he was arrested for the murder of two children. Shawcross was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison, but was paroled after serving only 14 years.
Following his release from prison, Shawcross moved to the Rochester, NY area and began a reign of terror that would earn him the monikers of the Genesee River Killer and the Rochester Strangler. Over the course of two years, Shawcross murdered 11 women in and around Rochester, leaving a trail of fear and devastation in his wake.
Shawcross's victims were primarily sex workers and vulnerable women, whom he targeted for their perceived weaknesses. He lured his victims to secluded areas under the guise of offering them money or drugs, only to brutally assault and strangle them. Shawcross's crimes were marked by a disturbing level of violence and depravity.
Shawcross's killing spree came to an end in 1990 when he was finally apprehended by law enforcement. He was quickly identified as the prime suspect in the murders due to eyewitness accounts and forensic evidence. In 1991, Shawcross was convicted of the 11 murders and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Arthur Shawcross's reign of terror left a lasting impact on the Rochester community and beyond. His crimes continue to be studied by criminal psychologists and law enforcement professionals as a chilling example of the darkest depths of human depravity. Shawcross's name remains synonymous with fear and horror, a reminder of the evil that lurks in the shadows.