John William Hopkins

Serial Killer

John William Hopkins: The Mohawk Valley Ripper

Background

John William Hopkins was an American serial killer, kidnapper and sexual offender whose crimes took place in New York State's Mohawk Valley region. Born on June 3, 1953, in Johnstown, New York, Hopkins became known as the "Mohawk Valley Ripper" and the "Johnstown Ripper." Authorities connected him to the murders of at least three teenage or young-adult women between 1972 and 1978. He was convicted of two murders during his lifetime, while the third case was officially attributed to him many years later. People who knew Hopkins described him as being unusually interested in knives. He reportedly carried several knives in separate sheaths and sometimes drove through college communities in a Chevrolet Nova while wearing a military-style coat and cowboy hat. According to later accounts, his clothing and behavior appeared intended to give strangers the impression that he was connected to law enforcement. This false appearance of authority may have made young women less suspicious of him.

Victims

• Joanne Palma Pecheone, 19 January 12, 1972 East Utica, New York: Pecheone was walking along a wooded path near South Park Drive when Hopkins attacked her. She was restrained with her own shoelaces, sexually assaulted and stabbed repeatedly. Her body was discovered near the path on the same day. Hopkins was not charged with her murder during his lifetime, but a later cold-case review led the Oneida County district attorney to identify him as her killer in 2011.
• Cecelia Genatiempo, 17 Night of July 24-25, 1976 Abducted in Gloversville and killed near Mohawk, New York: Genatiempo disappeared after being taken from the area of a doughnut shop in Gloversville. Hopkins drove her to an isolated section of railroad tracks near Mohawk, where she was sexually assaulted and stabbed. Her remains were concealed in a shallow grave and were found by hunters approximately three months later. Hopkins confessed to the crime after his 1979 arrest and was convicted of her murder.
• Sherrie Ann Carville, 17 October 22, 1978 Johnstown, New York: Carville disappeared after leaving a bar in Johnstown. Hopkins took her to property associated with his father, sexually assaulted her and stabbed her to death. Her remains were not discovered until approximately a year later. Another man was initially arrested after reportedly confessing, but the case against him was dismissed. Hopkins later confessed and was convicted of Carville's murder.

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Confirmed Victims: (3)

Joanne Pecheone Age: (19), Date of Death: 1972-01-12

Suspected Victims:

Katherine Kolodziej Age: (17), Date of Death: 1974-11-02

Survivors:

Northville Girl Age: (15), Date of Attack: 1979-08-15

John W. Hopkins