I-70 Killer

Serial Killer

The I-70 Killer: An Unsolved Interstate Murder Spree

Overview

The I-70 Killer is the name given to an unidentified gunman who murdered six people during a brief but frightening crime spree in the American Midwest in 1992. The nickname came from the locations of the crimes, many of which were in shopping centers located near Interstate 70. The confirmed killings occurred in Indiana, Kansas, and Missouri between April 8 and May 7, 1992. The killer generally targeted employees of small specialty stores during quiet business hours. Most of the victims were young women with dark hair who were working alone. He entered the businesses as though he were an ordinary customer, produced a small-caliber firearm, and forced or followed the victim toward a private area of the store. The victims were shot at close range, usually in the back of the head. The attacks were quick, and the killer often escaped before anyone realized that a crime had occurred.

Confirmed Victims

• Robin Fuldauer April 8, 1992 Indianapolis, Indiana: Fuldauer, age 26, was the manager of a Payless ShoeSource store on Pendleton Pike. She was working alone when the killer entered during the early afternoon. She was found in a rear storage area at approximately 3:00 p.m. Investigators determined that she had been shot at close range. Less than $100 was reportedly taken from the business.
• Patricia Smith April 11, 1992 Wichita, Kansas: Smith, age 23, was working at La Bride d'Elegance, a bridal store on East Kellogg Drive. She and store owner Patricia Magers remained after the normal closing time because a customer was expected to collect a cummerbund. The gunman entered the store and took both women into a back room, where they were killed.
• Patricia Magers April 11, 1992 Wichita, Kansas: Magers, age 32, owned La Bride d'Elegance. She was killed alongside Patricia Smith. The customer who was actually expected at the store arrived shortly afterward and encountered a slender man carrying what appeared to be a compact, military-style firearm. The stranger ordered the customer toward the back of the store, but the customer refused and left. His description later helped investigators create a composite image of the suspect.
• Michael "Mick" McCown April 27, 1992 Terre Haute, Indiana: McCown, age 40, was working at Sylvia's Ceramics, a store owned by his mother. He was found during the late afternoon after apparently being attacked while stocking merchandise. His wallet and a small amount of store money were missing. McCown was the only confirmed male victim. Investigators have suggested that the killer may have selected the business because its name implied that a woman operated it and may have mistaken McCown, who had long hair, for a female employee when approaching him from behind.
• Nancy Kitzmiller May 3, 1992 St. Charles, Missouri: Kitzmiller, age 24, was working at Boot Village in Bogey Hills Plaza at 2079 Zumbehl Road. She had agreed to work even though she had originally been scheduled to have the day off. Customers discovered her in a back room at approximately 2:30 p.m. Cash was missing from the store. A witness had seen Kitzmiller speaking with a male customer shortly before her death, providing police with another description of the suspected killer.
• Sarah Blessing May 7, 1992 Raytown, Missouri: Blessing, age 37, was working in a gift shop called Store of Many Colors. A neighboring business owner saw a man enter her store, heard a sound resembling a gunshot, and then watched the man leave. When the neighbor checked the store, Blessing was found fatally wounded. Other witnesses reported seeing the suspect moving away from the shopping area in the direction of Interstate 70.

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Confirmed Victims: (0)
Suspected Victims:

Robin Fuldauer Age: (26), Date of Death: April 8, 1992

Patricia Smith Age: (23), Date of Death: April 11, 1992

Patricia Trish Magers Age: (32), Date of Death: April 11, 1992

Michael McCown Age: (40), Date of Death: April 27, 1992

Nancy Kitzmiller Age: (24), Date of Death: May 3, 1992

Sarah Blessing Age: (37), Date of Death: May 7, 1992

Survivors:

Vicki Webb Age: (35), Date of Attack: January 15, 1994

I-70 killer - Wikipedia