Arthur Shawcross was a notorious serial killer known as “The Genesee River Killer.” He terrorized the Rochester, New York area between 1972 and 1989, leaving a trail of victims in his wake. Shawcross was convicted of 11 murders and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Many years have passed since Shawcross was apprehended and convicted, and people still wonder where he is now. Despite his heinous crimes, some individuals are curious about the fate of this notorious killer. This article aims to provide an updated account of Arthur Shawcross’s whereabouts and explore the true story of the Genesee River Killer.
Through a combination of research and firsthand accounts, this article will delve into the details of Shawcross’s life, his crimes, and his ultimate fate. By examining the facts and uncovering the truth, readers will gain a deeper understanding of one of the most infamous serial killers in American history.
Early Life of Arthur Shawcross
Arthur Shawcross was born on June 6, 1945, in Kittery, Maine, to a dysfunctional family. His parents were both alcoholics, and his father was physically abusive towards his mother. His parents divorced when he was young, and his mother remarried several times, leading to a lack of stability in his childhood.
As a child, Shawcross was known to be a loner and had few friends. He struggled in school and was often bullied by his peers. He was also known to have a fascination with fire, which led to several incidents of arson in his youth.
At the age of 16, Shawcross dropped out of high school and joined the army. He served in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1967. It was during his time in the army that he began to exhibit signs of mental illness, including depression and anxiety.
After returning from Vietnam, Shawcross moved to Watertown, New York, where he married and had two children. However, his marriage was tumultuous, and he was arrested multiple times for domestic violence.
Overall, Shawcross’s early life was marked by instability, trauma, and mental illness, which may have contributed to his later criminal behavior.
The Genesee River Killings
Arthur Shawcross, also known as “The Genesee River Killer,” was responsible for the deaths of at least 14 people, mostly prostitutes, in the Rochester, New York area during the 1980s. The murders were particularly gruesome, with many of the victims being dismembered and mutilated.
The Victims
Shawcross’s first known murders were in his hometown of Watertown, New York, where he killed a young girl and boy. He was convicted of these crimes and served 15 years in prison before being released on parole in 1987. After his release, he moved to Rochester and began his killing spree.
Most of Shawcross’s victims were prostitutes, but he also killed a 10-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl. The murders were particularly brutal, with many of the victims being dismembered and mutilated.
The Investigation
The investigation into the Genesee River Killings was one of the largest in New York State history. Law enforcement agencies from all over the state worked together to try to catch the killer.
Shawcross was eventually caught after he was seen dumping the body of his last victim, a prostitute named Darlene Trippi, into the Genesee River. He was arrested and charged with her murder, as well as the murder of 11 other women.
In 1990, Shawcross was convicted of 10 of the murders and sentenced to 250 years in prison. He died in 2008 at the age of 63 while serving his sentence at the Sullivan Correctional Facility in New York.