North Carolina is beautiful, but it has a dark history too. This state has seen its share of terrifying Serial Killers in NC. In this article, we’ll explore the lives of five notorious criminals who left a chilling mark on the state.
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Notorious Serial Killers of North Carolina
5 serial killers who have operated in North Carolina, leaving a dark stain on the state’s history:
1. Henry Louis Wallace (The Taco Bell Strangler)
• Active: 1990-1994
• Victims: 10 women
• Crimes: Murder, rape, robbery
Henry Louis Wallace, also known as “The Taco Bell Strangler,” was a serial killer who terrorized Charlotte, North Carolina, in the early 1990s. He preyed on young Black women, many of whom he knew through his work at Taco Bell or his personal life. Wallace’s modus operandi involved gaining his victims’ trust before brutally raping and strangling them in their own homes. Between 1990 and 1994, he murdered 11 women, leaving a community in fear and mourning. His capture and subsequent conviction brought some closure, but the scars left by his heinous crimes remain. Wallace is currently on death row in North Carolina.
2. Velma Barfield (The Death Row Granny)
• Active: 1974-1978
• Victims: 6, including her mother and two husbands
• Crimes: Poisoning with arsenic
Velma Barfield, infamously known as the “Death Row Granny,” was a seemingly kind and caring woman who harbored a dark secret. Driven by a crippling addiction to prescription drugs and a desperate need for money, she resorted to poisoning those around her, including her own mother. Between 1974 and 1978, Barfield’s arsenic-laced concoctions claimed the lives of six people. Despite her claims of innocence and attempts to portray the deaths as accidental, the evidence against her was overwhelming. In 1984, Velma Barfield became the first woman executed in the United States since the reinstatement of the death penalty, leaving behind a legacy of betrayal and tragedy.
3. Daniel Harold Rolling (The Gainesville Ripper)
• Active: 1989-1990
• Victims: 8, including 5 in Florida and 3 in Louisiana
• Crimes: Murder, sexual assault, burglary
Daniel Harold Rolling, infamously known as the “Gainesville Ripper,” was a disturbed individual who terrorized the college town of Gainesville, Florida, in 1990. Over a four-day period, Rolling brutally murdered five students, leaving their bodies posed in gruesome displays. His crimes instilled widespread fear and panic among the community, leading to a massive manhunt. Rolling’s troubled past, marked by a history of violence and mental instability, ultimately culminated in these horrific acts. After his capture, he confessed to the Gainesville murders and an earlier triple homicide in Louisiana. Rolling was executed in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of terror and heartbreak.
4. James Opelton Bradley
• Active: 2000s-2010s
• Victims: At least 3
• Crimes: Murder
James Opelton Bradley, a former Army sergeant, is a convicted serial killer from North Carolina with a disturbing history of violence against women. In 1988, he murdered his 8-year-old stepdaughter, Ivy Gibson, and was sentenced to life in prison. Released on parole in 2013, he went on to kill two more women, Shannon Rippy Van Newkirk and Elisha Tucker, in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Bradley’s crimes were marked by a pattern of targeting vulnerable women and disposing of their bodies in secluded locations. His chilling short stories written in prison, depicting graphic violence against women, further revealed his dark fantasies. Bradley is currently serving a life sentence without parole, leaving a trail of grief and unanswered questions in his wake.
5. Robert Sylvester Alston
• Active: 1980s
• Victims: 4 women
• Crimes: Murder, sexual assault
Robert Sylvester Alston, a lesser known but equally disturbing figure in North Carolina’s criminal history, was a serial killer who preyed on vulnerable women in Greensboro during the early 1990s. Driven by a twisted desire for power and control, Alston targeted young Black women, often involved in prostitution or drug addiction. He would lure them into his car, subject them to horrific acts of violence and sexual assault, then brutally murder and dismember them, scattering their remains across various locations.
Alston’s reign of terror cast a dark shadow over the community, leaving many women living in fear. His capture and subsequent conviction in 1998 brought some closure, but the memory of his heinous crimes continues to haunt Greensboro to this day.
Additional “Serial Killers” Stories:
- 5 Infamous Serial Killers That Were Never Caught
- Ted Bundy: The Charismatic Serial Killer Who Terrorized America
- Most Notorious Serial Killers in History
- Todd Kohlhepp: The South Carolina Serial Killer and Real Estate Agent
Books About Serial Killers
Read “The Big Book of Serial Killers (An Encyclopedia of Serial Killers)”
This A-Z encyclopedia offers an unparalleled look into the chilling world of 150 serial killers from around the globe.
Read “Serial Killers of the ’80s Stories Behind a Decadent Decade of Death”
Step into the dark world of serial killers, where the unimaginable becomes reality. This illustrated collection takes you on a chilling journey through the lives and crimes of those who have terrorized America since the 1970s. Discover the twisted minds of infamous figures like Dahmer, Wuornos, and Ridgway, and uncover the shocking truths behind the more recent cases of Little and DeAngelo. This engrossing book will leave you questioning the depths of human depravity.
FAQs related to Serial Killers in NC
How has North Carolina dealt with serial killers in the past?
North Carolina has a history of actively pursuing and prosecuting serial killers. The state has used both the death penalty and life imprisonment as sentences for convicted serial killers, depending on the severity and circumstances of the cases.
What was the impact of serial killers on North Carolina communities?
The impact of serial killers on North Carolina communities has been profound, particularly in areas where these crimes were concentrated. For example, Henry Louis Wallace’s killing spree in Charlotte led to widespread fear and anxiety, changing the way people viewed their safety. It also prompted changes in law enforcement practices and increased awareness of serial crimes.
Who is the serial killer in North Carolina Black Widow?
The “Black Widow” in North Carolina refers to Velma Barfield, a notorious female serial killer. She earned the nickname “Black Widow” due to her method of killing, which involved poisoning those close to her, often for financial gain.
