The Chilling Life Of Jerome Brudos: The Lust Killer Of Oregon

Jerome Brudos, known as "The Lust Killer," was a notorious figure whose dark actions left a mark in Oregon during the late 1960s. A troubled individual from a young age, Brudos exhibited disturbing behaviors that escalated into horrific crimes. His story serves as a grim reminder of the complexities of human psychology and the potential for violence that can exist within seemingly ordinary lives.

Who Was Jerome Brudos?

Born on January 31, 1939, in South Dakota, Jerome Henry Brudos was the youngest of two boys. His childhood was marked by instability, as his family moved frequently across states like Oregon and California. Brudos had a particularly strained relationship with his mother, who was described as overbearing. From a young age, he exhibited troubling tendencies, including a fascination with women's footwear that would eventually turn sinister.

At the age of 17, Brudos abducted and assaulted a woman, marking the beginning of his violent path. After high school, he married and settled in Salem, Oregon, but his domestic life was overshadowed by his escalating criminal behavior. By the late 1960s, he had murdered four women, keeping trophies from his victims and dressing in their clothing. Brudos was apprehended in 1969 and died in prison in 2006.

Early Life

Jerome's early experiences contributed significantly to his troubled psyche. He discovered a pair of high-heeled shoes in a junkyard at the age of five, which ignited a lifelong fascination with women's footwear. Unfortunately, when his mother found him wearing the shoes, she destroyed them, which only fueled his obsession.

As he grew older, Brudos's fetish for women's shoes evolved into more disturbing behaviors, including stealing women's underwear from neighbors. By the time he reached adulthood, his fantasies became increasingly dark, leading him to act on violent thoughts against women.

Violent Fetishes

Brudos's violent tendencies came to light when he threatened a teenage girl with a knife at 17, forcing her to undress while he took photographs. He spent time in a psychiatric ward after this incident but managed to continue his education. After high school, he became an electronics technician and married, yet his compulsions remained unchecked.

Even with a seemingly normal family life, Brudos continued to engage in criminal activities, such as sneaking into homes to steal women's clothing. In 1967, he attacked a woman and followed her home, ultimately raping her after strangling her into unconsciousness. His criminal activities continued to escalate, culminating in a series of gruesome murders.

Murder Spree

Brudos's murder spree began with the killing of Linda Slawson in January 1968. He invited her to his home under the pretense of purchasing encyclopedias but had sinister motives. After killing her, he kept her body, dressing it in women's clothing and even removing one of her feet to fit a high-heeled shoe. This marked a turning point in his violent behavior.

In November of the same year, he encountered Jan Whitney, offering assistance after her car broke down. Instead of helping, he murdered her in his vehicle and later posed her body for photographs in his workshop. Brudos's depravity escalated as he committed further murders, including those of Karen Sprinker and Linda Salee, leading to his eventual capture.

Arrest and Imprisonment

Brudos was finally apprehended when police set a trap after a student reported receiving strange phone calls from a man claiming to be a Vietnam veteran. Upon arriving for a supposed date, he was met with law enforcement instead. His home was searched, revealing a trove of evidence, including photographs of his victims and nylon ropes.

During interrogation, Brudos confessed to the murders and several assaults, attempting to claim insanity as a defense. However, psychiatrists concluded that he was legally sane, and he showed no remorse for his heinous acts. Ultimately, he pled guilty to three murders and received life sentences.

Final Days

Throughout his time in the Oregon State Penitentiary, Brudos made several attempts to appeal his convictions, all of which were denied. He lived out his days in confinement until he died of natural causes on March 28, 2006. At the time of his death, he was the longest-serving inmate in Oregon's correctional history.

The chilling life of Jerome Brudos is a haunting narrative that highlights the complexities of criminal behavior and the often-hidden realities of those who commit heinous acts. His story serves not just as a recount of crime but also as a reflective lens on the darker aspects of human nature.