Over the course of 1968 and well into 1969, several young women in Salem, Oregon went missing and would later turn up dead—all murdered and showing signs of having been tortured. Many of the cases bore certain similarities, but it wasn’t until investigators questioned the friends of one of the victims, Karen Sprinker, that they came to identify a suspect and eventually arrested thirty-year-old Jerome “Jerry” Brudos.
At first glance, there wasn’t much to the mild and unassuming Jerry Brudos; however, when investigators looked into his background, they discovered several arrests for theft, prowling, and sexual assault. And the more they learned about Brudos’ life, the more certain they became that he was the man they were looking for.
Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!
References
Associated Press. 1969. "Fisherman's grim discovery started search for slayer." Albany Democrat-Herald, June 30: 21.
—. 1969. "Coed provided first lead in murder case." Oregonian, June 4: 11.
Capital Journal. 1969. "Salem student, 19, feared kidnaped." Capital Journal, March 29: 1.
Carbonell, Dan De. 2006. "36 years later, killer's death relieves victims' families." Statesman Journal (Salem Oregon), March 29: 2.
Leibman, Faith H. 1989. "Serial Murderers: Four Case Histories." Federal Probation 41-45.
Long, James. 1969. "Photo found in Brudos' home shows girl hanging by rope." Oregon Daily Journal, June 7: 1.
Morrison, Allen. 1969. "Brudos tells of attacks, killings." Oregon Statesman , June 28: 1.
—. 1969. "Indicted in death of Miss Sprinkler." Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon), June 5: 1.
Olmos, Robert. 1969. "Crews widen river search for clues in girls murders." Oregonian , May 15: 19.
Oregon Journal. 1968. "2 teen-age girls missing." Oregon Daily Journal, February 6: J7.
Oregonian. 1968. "Help sought in search." Oregonian, December 23: 24.
—. 1969. "Office aide disappears ." Oregonian, April 26: 14.
Painter, John. 1969. "Sudden shift in plea signals end of trial." Oregonian , June 28: 1.
—. 1969. "Tests stall state trial of Brudos." Oregonian, June 6: 1.
Roby, Larry. 1969. "Parole agency explains eligibilty of Brudos." Capital Journal (Salem, Oregon), July 2: 15.
—. 1969. "Judge discloses warrant details on Brudos." Capital Journal, June 6: 1.
Rule, Ann. 1983. Lust Killer. New York, NY: Random House.
Statesman Journal. 1969. "Brudos home alleged site of 2 slayings." Staesman Journal (Salem, Oregon), June 18: 1.
Wong, James. 1969. "Somebody probably saw Linda Salee's killer--but will the person speak up?" Oregon Daily Journal , May 15: 5.
Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)
Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)
Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley
Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally
Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)
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