What did Richard Biegenwald do?
Richard Biegenwald was an American serial killer who murdered at least 6 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey, between 1958 and 1983. He is also suspected of killing two other victims. He was dubbed “The Jersey Shore Killer” during his reign of terror.
On the 18th of December 1958, Biegenwald held up a grocery store with accomplice Frank Spardoff, killing the proprietor, Stephen Sladowski. Biegenwald fled the state after the murder, but he was caught 2 days later after shooting at police. He was convicted of murder and given a life sentence. He was later released on parole in 1975 after 17 years behind bars.
Biegenwald inevitably killed again upon his release. He shot and dismembered Maria Ciallella on the 1st of November 1981. He abducted and murdered Virginia Clayton on the 8th of September 1982. Deborah Osbourne was next to die at Biegenwald’s hands when he stabbed her to death on the 8th of April 1982. He went on to kill William Ward, a drug dealer and prison escapee whom he shot 3 or 4 times in the head in September 1982. Betsy Bacon also disappeared in November of the same year. His last known victim was Anna Olesiewicz, whose body was found in early 1983 with 4 bullets in her head.
Biegenwald was also suspected, but never charged, of two other murders. That of John Petrone, an ex-convict, and the abduction and murder of 17-year-old Virginia Clayton in September 1982.
How was Richard Biegenwald caught?
Police arrested Biegenwald at his home on January 22, 1983. After searching his home, police discovered a large amount of weapons and illegal drugs.
Police only had enough evidence to charge Biegenwald with five counts of first-degree murder, and he was found guilty and sentenced to death. This was later overturned, and he was re-sentenced to life in prison.
Where is Richard Biegenwald now?
Richard Biegenwald died on the 10th of March 2008 at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey. His cause of death was a combination of respiratory failure and kidney failure. He was 67 years old when he died.
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