Due to the graphic nature of this killers crimes listener discretion is advised. This episode includes discussions of murder. Molly station rape and assault, we advise extreme caution for children under thirteen. the early morning, hours of December, thirty. First, ninety, ninety nine in Del Rio, Texas, ten year old, till circles and her friend thirteen year Old Katy Harris were in a bunk bed whispering while the new millennium as the clock ticked ever forward. They drifted to sleep crystal on the top punk and Katy on the ball. While they dreamed of the new year, a nightmarish figure slinked into the room. The man was broad with long hair and a look of pure malice in his eyes. It was tat me, Lynn, cells, the cross country, killer, Tommy slip down to the bottom bug next to Katy. She woke up, but before she could speak,

Tommy pressed one large calloused palm over her mouth, his other hand, Tommy, held a twelve inch boning knife, which he used to slice off Katie's clothing. That's when she screamed for help waking friend on the top bunk while Tommy was distracted, Kay DE wriggled out of his grasp. She tried to flee, but Tommy caught the thirteen year old slid her throat, then let her limp body fall to the ground, all the while crystal lay froze and on the top bunk Tommy lumbered towards the bedroom door. She lifted her head to get a look at her friends killer, but crystal wasn Quite enough, Tommy heard the rustle of bedsheet. Sense, but around catching sight of those eyes shining in the dark. Without a moment hesitation he launched at the ten year old and dragged the knife across her DEC Tommy stalked out of the room buzzing with adrenaline. For him it was

just another crime in the books, but seasoned killer, had made a fatal mistake. Ten year old, crystal circles wasn't dead and she would bring him down by one great pulsing. This is serial killers us if I originally from Parkhurst every episode we dive into the minds and madness of serial killers today, finish our look into the life of Tommy Lynn Cells, also known as the cross country killer. I'm here with my co host Sir Richardson high everyone. You can find episodes of serial killers and all other Spotify originals from par cast for freons I defy or wherever you listen to podcast. Last time we explored Tommy. Dramatic childhood, which included illness. Sexual abuse

intermittent homelessness and how all that lead to us. Violent tendencies and, ultimately to murder. Today we'll dive into Tommy's most gruesome murders and see how his drug abuse and deteriorating mental health caused him to be less discerning with his victims, then, will discovered the fatal mistake that put an end to his reign of terror, and all that in more coming up stay with US listers. Here's some port news about the shell starting in August. Serial killers is moving exclusively to Spotify, find all the shockingly. True stories you ve come to enjoy each week all in one place plus listening Spotify is easy and free. All you have to do is download respond by app for free and search serial killers. Give it to follow and that's it joining the Spotify family has an incredible opportunity prepare cast. We can't wait for you to see what's in store thanks for listening, we look

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price ratings and even chat with wine exports for recommendations. It's the world's largest windstorm, delivered to your door, get fifty dollars The first order by going to wind outcome, slashed modifying terms applying. in writing, ninety two twenty seven year old Tommy Lynn Cells, was passing through Charleston West Virginia he'd been without stable, living situation for the last fourteen years and never state in one state for more than a few months everywhere he went, he was in an idea, viable stranger, but like his name. His misdeeds were well known. He'd come gruesome murders in Mississippi California Arkansas Missouri and more, unfortunately, local authorities had yet to connect these crimes, largely because Tommy hadn't established a clear I'm all he killed you

whatever weapons he could find and targeted men, women, children and whole families. Me wasn't going after a particular type of victim. He simply sought the He got from taking people's lives taking scattered behaviour into account. Some psychologists might typify him as a disorganized killer. Vanessa go to colbrand psychology here and throughout the episode. Please note Vanessa is not a licence psychologist your psychiatrist, but she has done a lot of research for the show. Thanks Greg in the nineteen eighties special agents from the FBI, Training Academy came up with a system to categorize serial killers as either organised or disorganized organ His killers tended to have clear, am owes and more methodical crimes. Dis, organised killers. On the other hand, com it more chaotic, less premeditated murders. Of course, no person so easy to define then binary

categories can't encompass the hold of human behaviour. Still these type policies can was trying to understand Tommy's erratic crimes in two thousand eighteen may her Sharma wrote a graduate thesis. Titled develop of serial killers, a grounded theory study in this place Sharma posits that the chaos of disorganized killers crimes reflects the offenders competence to carry out and maintain social relationships or interactions. This lack of health the intimate relationships, increases the chances of potential sexual lower sadistic acts as a part of the murders. This was only true for Tommy at first, his times were motivated by childhood trauma or by the knee for resources such as food drugs and alcohol. However, For a time he became increasingly likely to sexually assault. His victims behave

They can be linked to the alleged sexual abuse he experienced as a child, as well as to his lack of healthy relationships as an adult, even as this Attic pattern emerged: law enforcement were in the dark about the truth behind Tommy's crimes. At this stage, he'd never been arrest four or linked to any of his murderers making, him feel invincible. So he kept killing holy refining. His methods nineteen. Ninety two. He found a devious new way to lure in victims. He stood beneath it Underpass in Charleston, holding a sign that red Hungry will work for food. Most people cause Tommy Spare change, which he used to pay for drugs or motel rooms, but Tommy didn't really want money. He was on the hunting. Something very specific, a pretty young woman. John enough to invite him over for a home cooked meal Fabian Witherspoon Fit that description. She was

twenty year old, with long dark hair and was far too high. Hearted. To ignore someone in need in May eighteen. Ninety, two babies Autonomy Tommy on the side of the road. Looking thin and haggard feeling a pang of sympathy. Fabian walked over to him, for to bring him to her home. For some food Tommy, happily accepted, They drove he spun a sad and largely false tail. He gave maybe in his real name, but also said he had a wife and children, making himself out to be a family man who was down on his luck ass. He spoke. He watched, Fabian, During her reaction to his lies. He felt a thrill her face softened into a look of pity. It was a feeling, what it more of when they to her apartment. Tommy followed her inside. She grabbed, two large bags and started filling them with food from her cupboards. Meanwhile, Tommy

by the door, taking note of her movements and planning his attack after filling a head, huge bag with food beyond Ass Tommy of here is family needed anything else. He said his wife needed some new clothes too kind to me, fuse. Fabian and to her bedroom and started grabbing tee shirts for Tommy's, imaginary spouse, left alone near the front door. He seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for, while Fabian doug through her drawers, Tommy snuck into the kitchen. He grew de knife tiptoed into her bed room and stood behind her breathing down her neck Tommy's breath set a chill, well done the twenty year old spine. She turned around slowly and stared at him. He no longer

looks like the weather, beaten man. She picked up off the site of the highway. Tommy seemed feral with his teeth, bared and a kitchen knife held high above his head. It silver Blade pointed in her direction. He told Fabian to take her clothes, she hesitated, but Tommy Press, the Knights cold blade against her throat. Minding her that she had little choice when she'd undress teeth, forced her into her bathroom and rape. you're doing the attack, Fabian forced away the powerful feelings of terror and revulsion she allowed herself focus on just one thing survival. She two round the room searching for anything she could use as a weapon. There was a ceramic dock in the back of her toilet. She grabbed and hurled it into Tommy's head. The duck shattered, sending shards flying Tommy stumbled back dazed from the blow before he could get his bearings.

Maybe in started pummeling him with sharp pieces of the broken ornament after a few seconds Tommy regained his balance and strengthen its grip on the knife. She came after Fabian she grabbed his arm and wrestled the blade from his grasp within If in her hands, she ran towards the front door hoping to get away and find help, but Tommy Abt her pulling her back towards the bathroom Fabian into violent person, but Tommy gave her no other choice with all before she could muster. She brought them down slicing into his abdomen. She pulled back out and kept stabbing frantically hitting Tommy wherever she Tommy was so full of adrenalin that he barely felt the blows he tried to pull them NICE out of Fabian's hand and as they rustled over the weapon, they both sustained cuts, scrapes and stab wounds. Ultimately Tommy at the upper hand. He said the knife then bound baby.

ankles and risk was scotch tape and strips of torn bedsheets. Making it impossible for her to fight back She struggled to escape the bindings. He grabbed a piano stool from the living room and beat her unconscious before making a small slice across her throat, then utterly shaken by the close call. Tommy, fled the apartment. Baby awoke a few hours later. Memories of the attacks, slowly came into focus and suddenly she panicked She wasn't sure Tommy was still in her house the thought of him hiding somewhere waiting for her made her heart race. She pushed the here aside and fought free of her bindings, then she grabbed her needless phone and ran down the stairs of her home Tralee, blood with every step once she was safe, the outside baby and call the police, though he'd spun plenty of lies for her. Her attacker had given her his real name. She told off

says that a man named Tommy cells had tried to murder her and that, as far as she knew him near riverbank, at the corner of Washington, Street and Pennsylvania Avenue officer. Followed up on the lead, but Tommy had abandoned his former post. Luckily people living in that area of Charleston knew him. They point police to a nearby apartment where he had taken up residence with a young woman named Gina Young when officers knocked on it. or Gina inform them that Tommy had been in a fight and that he was in a bad way. She invited the delay gives inside and led them to him. The police expected Fine Tommy with minor injuries a black eye at the very most, but when the cop open the door. They were shocked to find Tommy on the living room floor. Bloody and rising in pain, she'd sustained, countless cuts in multiple stab wounds to the optimum, and he was bad shape, but before anyone could pressing

mental charges, the police needed to call an ambulance. First response there's drove Tommy to the nearest hospital where tests revealed that his external injuries were the least of his problems internal. He was suffering from profuse bleeding a cut, spleen and kidney and a collapsed long injuries were life threatening us. in his hospital bed. Tommy realized baby and had nearly killed him. She had seemed so kind so weak so easy to overpower, and yet she put him in the emergency room and his mistake would lead him in prison to Tommy stared at the ivy pumping fluid into his arm and promised himself that he'd never jeopardize his safety. That way again, it's as if he made up Miss to himself that from now on, heed We go after victims that he knew couldn't hurt him. He would only attack, chew children coming up

me serves time and emerges from prison more violent than ever the worst serial killer, though creepy is called the most outrageous com. If your true crime fan, probably pondered these things well oh, you can get answers, or at least some passionate opinions. Every week our podcast crime. Countdown Michael low Stash and I rank Unsettling crimes centred around a common theme debating each case, with just a hint of humour to lighten the mood allay man. I may not be experts, and we may not always agree but were counting down anyway, follow this If I original form part from cast crime, countdown, listen free on Spotify. This episode is brought to you by progressive. What's one thing you purchase with a little extra savings, waited blanket smarts Baker. That new self care train. You keep hearing about well progressive ones.

make sure you're getting what you want by helping. You save me on car insurance drivers who by switching to progressive, save over seven hundred dollars on average and customers can qualify for average of six discounts when they sign up, discounts like Heaven multiple vehicles on your policy. Progressive offers standing coverage and award winning Claim service day or night. They have customer support. Twenty four seven three red sixty five days a year when need the most there at their best a little rate each month goes a long way get a quote today: progressive dot com and see wife, we're out of five new auto customers recommend progressive progressive I shall to insurance company and affiliates national annual average insurance savings by new customer surveyed in twenty twenty potential savings will very discounts very and are not available in all states and situations now back to the story: in May of nineteen. Ninety two twenty Seven year old, Tommy Lynn cells got more than he bargain for when he tried to kill

a twenty year old, Fabian, Witherspoon Fabian fought back fiercely. Ending Tommy to the hospital with life threatening injuries. He Spectre weaken the hospital before transferred into police custody heat survived his wounds, but it looked like He wasn't going to slip away from authorities like he done in the past. The cases and he seemed to clear cut. However, the proceedings were more complicated than police and prosecutors anticipated. Two things made it very easy for Tommy's lawyers to argue in his favour. Firstly, There were no witnesses to the crime and no way for Fabian to prove Tommy initiated the attack. Secondly, Tommy's defence team discovered that Fabian had recently an unrelated sexual assault charge against someone, but their hadn't been enough evidence to prosecute the case when they also uncovered report its detailing Fabian's mental health terms Attorneys use these findings to portray Fabian as an unreliable accuser

his lawyers intended to argue that he was innocent and prosecutors flounder to come up with a strong case to refute that in the end to guarantee that her attacker would serve at least some jail time. Fabian to the idea of a plea bargain, possibly most infuriating. Part of this agreement was that it forced Fabian today the sexual assault charges she'd filed against Tommy, even though he'd gotten way with many other attacks. Tommy's history, sexual assault wasn't a secret, so it seemed the easiest the story to prove yet the prosecution could, guarantee that a jury would find Tommy guilty and they couldn't This can being declared innocent, so they settle for a charge of malicious, wounding, a term that didn't work, like the reality of what Tommy had done for this crime the sentence Tommy to two to ten years behind bars. This punished It wasn't nearly enough Tom.

Release state depended more on his behaviour in prison than it did on it. crimes against Fabian. If he pleased the right people, he could be out in just a couple of years, prowling the streets for new victims, clear. Tommy knew how to get what he wanted at once Virginia northern correctional facility. He acted like a model prisoner within the first year of his incarceration became a trusty that is in mate who is allowed to work in the prison grounds The position gave Tommy the freedom and power he craved he, spend short periods of time unsupervised. Seems even had access to the wardens office. Of course, it didn't take long for Tommy to abuses, elevated status in ninety ninety for after about a year behind bars. He and his fellow inmate found a pistol inside the prison instead of reporting The incident Tommy took the gun and hid it inside the warden office, where he planned to keep it for himself. Unfortunately, for time

me another trusty caught him in the act and turned him in as punishment authority transferred him demote, olive correctional, Complex maximum security facility in West Virginia Tommy still this work to his advantage at model of he practiced skills he should have mastered long before red in writing. Tommy stuff regularly going to school at age. Seven and is Literacy skills, hadn't, improved since in eighteen, ninety four, the thirty year old Red and wrote at about a second grade level, but he was still do Herman to learn throughout ninety. Ninety or his skills gradually improved by the end of the year. He could write letters. Having him away to communicate with people outside the prison. Unfortunately, this like so many things in common life had unforeseen consequences:

that same year. Tommy met John Price and in made charged with causing the deaths of three people. Unsurprisingly, the two men became fast friends. They mostly talked about women. Their biggest problem with being locked up was the last ladys to sleep with, but soon John thought of a solution. At least one for his new friend. He headed twice six year old sister named Nora, who he offered. Introduced to Ptolemy around beginning of nineteen. Ninety five Tommy met Nora when she came to visit. All the She could only see and talk to him through a panel of protective glass. She, He was immediately interested in the charming convict about Nora. Wasn't exam they were Tommy expected according to Diana Fanning author of through the window John had mentioned that his sister had a learning disability. She was poor in kind, but she wasn't able to work most jobs. So she said

primarily on supplemental security income checks still Tommy. Saw this as an opportunity here: his new found writing skills to send Nora, countless letters. He shut or her with the affection she craved and in a matter of weeks, she was totally in love with him. It should hardly come as a surprise, learn that Tommy had an ulterior motive. You didn't really care about Nora. He, saw her as a way to make money without much effort. Tommy wanted to cut it, es aside checks after months of conning her out of small sums of money. He finally revealed his end game in a hand. written note, he asked Nor I to marry him ecstatic Norris Yes, she didn't think twice about Tommy criminal charges his violent background or the fact that he might be manipulating her. She believed he loved her, and that was enough.

In April of nineteen. Ninety six thirty one year old, Tommy and twenty eight year old, Nora tie the not in Mount Olive prison once the league, papers were filed. Three quarter of Nora's S, eye checks went straight to her husband but Nora, seem D hey with this arrangement she and Tommy content, you'd, exchanging letters and she looked forward to day that her husband would join her in the outside world. Unsurprisingly, she didn't get the happily ever after that she dreamed of. after serving about five years in prison. Third, two year old Tommy was released in May nineteen. Ninety seven, he spent you days with Nora, then hitchhiked to miss again without saying goodbye, but his silence only lasted about a week struck by uncharacteristic guilt. He called Nora on June first apologized for his sudden absence. She came back to western Junior, but ass soon ass, he was home. He started talking about,

having again Tommy was used to skipping town after committing a crime, but he'd been prison in West Virginia for five years. Having local citizens and law enforcement know who he was put him on edge and he needs to get away without Nora, didn't wanna leave her home. Tommy was determined sure he could have left her, but Whites benefit checks were his main source of income, ultimately Tom, he got his way. He can its nor to accompany him to Tennessee, where they settled in a small town called Cleveland, their Tommy could breathe easy locally enforcement didn't know his name or face. He was anonymous once again, however, it didn't take him to ruin his reputation. He picked up right, Murray, left off before he went to jail. He started abusing eggs again and in late July he received a ticket for driving without a license, then about two weeks later: Tommy took off again without saying

word to his wife. He hitchhiked and cod. means all the way to Oregon. Band and lonely nor returned to West Virginia A month later, Tommy Skilled came creeping back. He was battle. with himself part of them wanted to get high, really high and not just withdrawn, He missed the rush of killing and it took everything in him not to start looking for new victims, but another. Part of them wanted to leave that old life behind he'd married, nor as a way to get money, but perhaps the longer he knew her, the more he saw tat. She was a good person he hitchhiked back to, wife in West Virginia still unsure if he was capable of having a stable, monogamous relationship. It's possible this uncertainty. Tommy to a difficult and surprisingly responsible realisation. In order to make heinous marriage and stay out of trouble. He needed supervision justly

when he was a teenager, thirty three, Tommy went to his mother for help. Nina, will come to her son back with open arms, hoping this time in prison and his new marriage had changed him for the better. In September, Nineteen. Ninety seven, he and Nora moved into Ninos Home in Saint Louis Missouri, with his mother's health, Tommy buckle down, you got. It at a local. Auto shop stayed sober and kept. His anger reigned in things were looking up and soon after the move Tommy received. What should have been wonderful news: Nora was pregnant but Tommy wasn't excited here when he had at least two children, neither of whom he had any contact with he'd manage to avoid the responsibilities of fatherhood twice, but this time he was expect to stick around the thought. filled him with anxiety, told me never had a real father figure in his life. His biological father had passed

responsibility off to some one else that none of his mother's partners ever truly cared for or supported him in my mind all relationships, especially parental ones, were transient and unreliable. writing for the journal of men, studies in nineteen. Ninety eight Dennis Malcolm notes that many men who feel abandoned by their fathers have light. Flung struggles with relationships come goes on to explain that pregnancy, and birth or specific heterosexual, milestones that activate anxiety and abandoned sons Bell M D arises that this is because at each develop mental junction. Their increased intimacy demands, in other words, having baby forces, a level of intimacy that many sons of absent fathers fear in Tommy's Kay the anxiety was so severe that he turned to the only coping mechanism. He new drugs just three weeks

after moving to Saint Louis Tommy, was back on heroin. Many quickly lost his job but the auto shop to ashamed to go. to his wife and his mother. He ended up in the last place he wanted to be staying on the streets there. I did Sharon and the worst parts of his psyche took over and drugs didn't it is high enough anymore, the only way to feel better was kill up next Tommy goes on his final murder spree. This episode, his brow. you buy Navy and nourishing body wash enriched with plant arrived, Doyle's, essential, skin, lipids and vitamins. It provides the we're sure you need for healthy, looking skin that feels completely nourished and its formulated without pair of hands or failing to get them stay out of your shower and your day with Libya nourishing body washing. So what are you waiting for visit, Namibia, USA, dot com slashed Spotify to buy now this episode?

brought to you by Microsoft teams. Microsoft teams is helping priority, bicycles, reinvent the way they work when the pandemic head. The bike shop haddock those their New York City Show room. Found a way to reopen by doing virtual visits on teams. Now the team can meet with two or three times the number of customers them they could before and people from all over. The world can visit their chauvinism, learn more about their story and others at Microsoft, DOT, com, slash teams; back to the story in October of nineteen. Ninety seven thirty three year old, Tommy Lynn Cells abandoned his pregnant wife, Nora unable to deal with his fears of intimacy and fatherhood. Tommy return and to drugs. Soon after his backs, I'd Tommy ended up on the streets of Saint Louis Missouri, but the highs of cocaine and Heroin

enough to satisfy him. He grew desperate for the rush he got from killing so he started stalking the city for new victims and time around. It seems that Tommy had a new rule in order. avoid another brush with death. The law. He wouldn't attack people who couldn't fight back children, but Tommy had difficulty finding victims, Saint Louis was a relatively large city, and violent crime rates were high at the time. In response to the increasingly unsafe environment, parents kept a close eye on their kids, making it hard for Tommy strike, he grew frustrated with his lack of success, but then he reeled as that there was a simple solution to his problem. He just need did travelled with smaller city. The kind of place work, people were more likely to trust their neighbour. Luckily, he knew just where to go. In late October, where he got his hands out of Van and drove to Springfield Missouri. There, too,

we found exactly what he was looking for in Springfield, Tommy targeted third in your old Stephanie Mahogany that the times but his mother Suzette was sick with pneumonia and her fiance Rob often Stephanie alone, while he stayed with set at the hospital after letting them as prime targets Tommy staked out the families apartment around eleven p M one night. He was rob leave to visit Suzette, run his mind must have been occupied by the thoughts of his ailing fiance, because he forgot to do something that could have saved Stephanie life. He didn't lock the front door as soon as well pulled out of the driveway Tommy crept into the apartment and move through the home until he found Stephanie room. She was fast asleep, so we quaintly tore a piece of tape off a role and pressed it

for her mouth Stephanie his eyes shot open. She tried to yell, but the tape smothered her cries. It all happened in a flash Tommy dragged her out of bed and threw her into the back of the Van he sped when isolated section of the Missouri countryside, where now Nobody could hear her scream. Tell me stop the vehicle The middle of nowhere he grabbed thirteen year old, Stephanie and injected her with a near fatal dose of cocaine This amount of the drug didn't have a stimulant effect that one might expect. Rather it likely resulted in heart, palpitations and a very high body temperature, which left Stephanie, dizzy, nauseous and confused, but was exert We were Tommy wanted in that condition: Stephanie couldn't fight back they're in the wilderness. Tommy raped the teen strangled her to death, then dropped

body in a small pond as soon as they noticed. She was gone: Stevinus MOM filed a missing person report, but officers didn't find her howdy until over a month later, even then launch Smith had no idea what to make of the crime. It seemed completely random when they couldn't establish any leads. Well, Thus, the gaiters puzzled over Stephanie murder Tommy play and his next, his late, the attack had insatiate and his twisted desires at all. Shortly after Stephanie was discovered. He was back on the road on his way to Nevada hungry for blood, but again he had trouble locating victims and instead of committing new crimes, he spent A few months, I'm a cop pilgrimage reviews The scenes of his previous murders in the sunny Nevada Desert Tommy felt a twisted nostalgia for his past crimes. He reeled the night that he killed a fellow hitchhiker a decade earlier, you remember,

giving the young woman lsd. Then strangling her until the light went out of her eyes. Were he grew rustling? he caught a ride to Arkansas there. He finally remember the evening that Hell Ache and chased him into the woods. Fifteen years had since their encounter, but the memory of his escape made Tommy's face flushed with pleasure putting to Doktor Jack Levin, a sociologist and criminologist at northeastern University. Assyria Killers crimes are often his greatest accomplishments in life. He was. two reminisce about the good times he had inflicting pain and suffering on his victims. At thirty three Mommy's life hadn't amounted to much heed, been able to keep a job and didn't have a stable home. He had to children and another on the way, none whom he had any intention of caring for in his dark, and wasted mind. The only points of pride where his grisly crimes, religion

These murders gave Tommy the feelings of power and control that craved, remembering the terrible things he done was almost as good as actually doing them almost, but not quite eventually reminiscing on past murders. Wasn't enough desperate to feel the Russia, violence, thirty four years, Tommy hitchhiked to North Carolina in April nineteen. Ninety nine. He got a job at a carnival which took him to San Antonio Texas, an ideal place to find young victims throughout the first half of April. Nineteen. Ninety nine Tommy operated, rides and sold funnel cakes all the while keeping his eyes peeled for unaccompanied kids. On April eighteenth, the person DE opportunity arose nine year old, Mary Bia Perez was a third greater who wandered away from her family Tommy made sure she never returned

What he saw Mary, the thirty four year old left, is Most at the carnival. She said Mary and pressed her against his chest, stifling her screams. Somehow in a sea of people, he didn't tracked any attention he simply through the young girl in his truck and sped away. Tommy drove the nine year old to an abandoned area near a small San Antonio Creek. The place was technically a landfill and old mattress lay amongst trash on the ground Tom, through Mary onto the makeshift bed, raped her and strangled her with her Mickey mouse T. Shirt Tommy through Mary body into the creek, where a fisherman founded ten days later, as with his previous crimes, police, could establish any suspects for the murder and by then Tommy a ditched, his truck and caught a train north to Lexington Kentucky, but he wasn't totally. Clear in Lexington his drug use escalated and is good on reality weekend.

does he had in earlier years he became less discerning and more prone to making mistakes. including one chillingly close call in may ninety. Ninety nine Tommy spotted thirteen year old. they mccone alone in a public park. She swayed back and forth the swing, sat, gazing, The afternoon sky Tommy watched her from afar waiting to see if a parent or sibling came to her side, but minutes per asked and nobody showed up. It was just what he hoped for Tommy, snatched Hayley right off the swing and forced her down a barely wooded walking trail hidden only by the thin trunks of a few trees, Tommy raped her then in the middle of the attack. A couple strolled by Tommy pressed his hand over Haley's mouth and froze barely daring breathe. He watched the man and woman pass them by heart. Breaking me, the cup

We didn't notice the killer, standing mere feet away and as soon as they were out of earshot Tommy, strangled, Hayley and left her body in the trees after about Tommy, fled the scene and thought a place to get drunk that same night. Kentucky authorities arrested him for public intoxication, but they released the very next morning, oblivious to the murder, he'd committed just hours earlier, Jimmy they got high and took a train in the direction of Medicine Wisconsin. Just These later Tommy was back in police custody for threatening Madison locals with a box cutter office, jailed him for about a month, then release TIM back onto the streets in late June in a matter of days Tommy got his hands on a truck and gun. South to Oklahoma. She didn't waste any time in July nineteen, ninety nine, while drunken high and cocaine he kidnapped fourteen

Bobby Lynn Watford from a convenient stored just north of Oklahoma City. He brutally assault at her, but no matter how much pain he subjected her too. She kept fighting back, not wanting to repeat the incident with Fabian Witherspoon Tom he shot Bobby and through her body off the side of a rural road. Without looking back, he sped all the way to South Texas, something inside him had snapped no matter how many drugs he took or murders he committed it was, ever enough ass, soon ass, he got to Del Rio Texas. He started looking to committee, crime that could actually sustain him too, We spent his first six months in Del Rio abusing drugs getting bearings in the city and searching for the perfect victim, didn't want is next murder to be random. Like most of his others, this one would be targeted calculated and cruel. He wanted

to achieve the ultimate high to reach the kind of ecstasy he'd been chasing for decades. In order to succeed, Tommy needed people to trust him. The best way to do this he reasoned was to attend services at the book Church, where he met a kind generous couple named Terry and Crystal Harris. The first Tommy noticed about the Harris's was their daughter. Thirteen Europe Katy the moment he saw her. He decided that she was his perfect victim Tommy eavesdrop to church and around town to learn more about the family. He discovered in December of that year, they plan to help their friend PAM circles, relocate from Kansas to Texas and have hams ten year old daughter crystal was going to stay with the hair family. During the move. More certainly Tommy learned that Terry Harris plan to drive to Kansas on December thirtieth to help PAM hack, her belongings, that night

his wife would be left to care for their children by herself it was the perfection for Tommy to ring in the new year and his gruesome mark on the town. Tommy spoken the leading up to his attack in a familiar place, a bar more out of habit than desire. He passed the bar tender to have sex with him. She turned him down, but continued pouring him drinks we were seeing double then on two. I am he lumbered out of the bar and towards the heresies home Eve after a night of heavy drinking Tommy moved with confidence and steadiness for him killing had become muscle memory. He stepped up the Harris's front, porch popped, open, a window, and climbed inside carrying it. Twelve inch, boning knife in his hand, he crept through the hole until he found Katy Harris asleep

into the bunk bed and sexually assaulted. Her Katy screw aimed at nearly escaped, but before she could reach her bedroom door. Tommy slit her throat. He was about to leave when a rustling sound made him turn around on the top bunk a pair of eyes shone in the dark, Tommy stomped back to the bed. He growled the ten year old, crystal circles by the arm and dragged the knife across her neck Tommy Slice, the girls windpipe. But incredibly, he missed her carotid. Artery blood poured from the wound, but she could still breathe while Tommy's whipped back out of the window went into the night. Crystal lay still pretending to be dead. Then she climbed out of the bed terrified that everyone else in the house had been killed crew two ran to the nearest neighbor. Her bets, her severed windpipe made it impossible to speak, so she grabbed a piece of paper frantically wrote

heresies are hurt, tell the police to hurry I live. Her could not imagine that the ten year old would survive, but he tried to start you're bleeding anyway. He called Del Rio authorities there, while officer surveyed the crime scene. An ambulance rushed crystal to the hospital curiously surgeons repaired the ten year olds, wind pipe and saved her life. She will up dazed by Anastasia, but with a shock memory of the previous night. She go police, a description of her attacker, helping them. Create a sketch of his face. Authorities showed catch to Crystal and Katy families, and they realized it looks like someone they seen around town, a mandate Tommy when police showed her tongue This photo in a line up crystal confirmed that he was Katie's killer after that officers, swiftly track Tommy down and arrested him. Finally, ending his twenty year killing streak

but the true horror of his crimes was only just coming to light once office. is finally had him on homicide charges. Tommy seemed quite happy to keep talking about the crimes. After all, They were his protest accomplishments. In the end he confessed Two over seven d murders, although reportedly only wanting to have been confirmed using Tommy statements, policed MR consternation connected cases that had been called for years and finally, a pattern emerged: authority saw we traveled from state to state killing. Anyone could, as news of his crimes, made headlines became known by Newman New Moniker Cross country killer but it was his final murder that sealed his fate in the fall of two thousand a judge, sentenced him to death by lethal injection punishment for the brutal slaying of Katy Harris. He spent

fourteen years on death row and was exit in April of two thousand fourteen. After spending years talking about his crimes. The forty nine year old declined to give any last words bite his silent final moments. Tommy Lynn cells left scars for many. They were left in terror, at the thought that a man who embody pure evil outsmarted police for two decades, but in all honesty, Tommy wasn't particularly clever. The only thing they kept, law enforcement off. His trail was his constant movement, his transience the ins stability that plagued Tommy's youth became his greatest strength. He could slip. From almost any crime dissolve like a phantom about four as victims and their families, the Crow

country Killer was and still is, a very permanent memory. Thanks again for tuning into serial killers, we'll be back soon with another episode from information on Tommy Lynn cells, among them sources we used. We found through the window, the terrifying, true story of cross country, killer, Tommy, lend cells by Diane, fanning extremely helpful to our research. You can fly and more episodes of serial killers and all other Spotify originals from part cast for free on Spotify will see you next time cover killer, weak, serial killers is a original from PAR cast executive producer include max and wrong. Cutler sound designed by Russell MASH, with production, assistance by IRAN, Shapiro Trent, Williamson

Carly Madden and Bruce Guiteau, which this episode of serial killers was written by Karin Alan with getting assistance by Mallory, Cora and Joe Callin fact. Checking by Ben Logan and research, Brian Petrus and Chelsea, would soon killers, stars, Gregg, Paulson and Vanessa, Richardson.