John Joseph Fautenberry: Interstate Serial Killer
Background
John Joseph Fautenberry was an American serial killer whose crimes crossed several states during a five-month period between November 1990 and March 1991. He was born in Connecticut in July 1963 and spent much of his adult life moving from place to place. He worked at different times as a long-haul truck driver, giving him experience with highways, truck stops and long-distance travel.
Fautenberry frequently approached people as a traveler who needed companionship, transportation, employment or temporary assistance. Several victims apparently trusted him because he appeared friendly or vulnerable. Once he had isolated them, however, he used sudden violence and stole money, vehicles, credit cards and personal belongings. His constant movement allowed him to leave one state before investigators understood that a murder had occurred.
Confirmed Victims
- Donald "Don" Nutley November 30, 1990 Mount Hood area near Zigzag, Oregon: Nutley was a 47-year-old man from Waco, Texas. He met Fautenberry at a truck stop in Troutdale, Oregon, and mentioned that he planned to go target shooting near Mount Hood. Fautenberry accompanied him to the isolated area. After they finished shooting, Fautenberry shot Nutley in the head and stole a large amount of cash from him. Nutley disappeared, and his remains were not found until April 21, 1991, when his skull and teeth were discovered in woodland northeast of Zigzag.
- Gary Wayne Farmer February 1, 1991 Bloomsbury, New Jersey: Farmer was a 27-year-old truck driver from Springfield, Tennessee. He encountered Fautenberry at the Pilot Truck Stop near Interstate 78. Fautenberry shot Farmer in the head inside Farmer's tractor-trailer and stole items that included his watch, knife and approximately $40. Farmer's body remained in the sleeping compartment of the truck until it was discovered on February 5, 1991. Investigators later connected Fautenberry to the killing, and he eventually received a life sentence in New Jersey for Farmer's murder.
- Joseph William Daron Jr. February 17, 1991 Cincinnati area, Ohio: Daron was a 45-year-old data supervisor and the father of two daughters. He picked up Fautenberry, who was hitchhiking near Interstate 275 east of Cincinnati. Fautenberry directed him toward another highway junction and then shot him twice in the chest. He stole Daron's white 1988 Subaru, credit cards, wallet, briefcase, wristwatch and Bible. Daron's body was left in a wooded area near the Ohio River and was discovered on March 20, 1991. This murder resulted in Fautenberry's Ohio death sentence.
- Christine Anne Guthrie February 23, 1991 northwestern Oregon: Guthrie was a 32-year-old former bank teller from Portland. She met Fautenberry at a social gathering after he returned to Oregon in Daron's stolen vehicle. The two traveled toward the Oregon coast and were seen at a motel in Rockaway Beach. Guthrie was shot in the head, and her body was abandoned near the remote logging community of Timber. Her remains were discovered on April 1, 1991. Fautenberry later admitted responsibility for her death.
- Jefferson "Jeff" Diffee March 13, 1991 Juneau, Alaska: Diffee was a 39-year-old miner employed at the Greens Creek Mine. He met Fautenberry at a bar and invited him to his apartment. Inside the residence, Fautenberry beat Diffee, placed him in handcuffs and stabbed him 17 times. He then stole Diffee's wallet, bank card and handgun. Fautenberry used the stolen card to withdraw money from Diffee's account. Evidence left in the apartment helped Juneau police identify and arrest him. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a 99-year sentence without eligibility for parole.
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