Oba Chandler was born on November 10, 1946, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was one of five children born to Oba Chandler Sr. and Margaret Johnson. The family lived in Ohio, where his father worked as a laborer. Tragically, his father died by suicide in 1957, leaving Chandler and his siblings to be raised by their mother.
Chandler's involvement in criminal activities began at a young age. At just 14 years old, he was already dabbling in illegal behaviors. As he grew older, he continued down a path of lawlessness, eventually finding work as an aluminum siding contractor, despite being unlicensed. It was during this time that he committed a heinous crime that would ultimately lead to his downfall.
In 1989, Chandler committed a gruesome act that would shock the nation. He abducted Joan Rogers and her two daughters, tying them at the hands and feet before dumping their bodies in the Tampa Bay. The murders gained significant attention in 1992 when police began using billboards to display samples of the killer's handwriting, hoping to gather more information on the culprit.
Despite efforts to evade capture, Chandler was eventually arrested and convicted of the murders. In 2011, he was executed for his crimes. During his 17 years in prison, he did not receive any visitors, likely due to the horrific nature of his crimes. Even after his death, Chandler was posthumously convicted of a second Tampa Bay murder, further solidifying his place as a notorious criminal.
Oba Chandler's crimes will forever be remembered as some of the most infamous in Florida's history. His ruthlessness and lack of remorse mirrored that of other notorious killers, such as Ted Bundy. Both men brought terror and tragedy to the state, leaving a dark legacy that continues to haunt those who remember their heinous acts.