A variety of podcasts have lined the story of the Glad Face Killer. There have additionally been motion pictures loosely primarily based on him and the murders. His daughter Melissa Moore additionally wrote the e-book Shattered Silence about her expertise rising up with a serial killer for a dad. Melissa’s story performs a component within the Paramount+ sequence Glad Face. Be taught extra in regards to the true story behind the Glad Face Killer.
What Did the Glad Face Killer Do?
The Glad Face Killer has been related to eight murders that befell between 1990 and 1995. He strangled most of his victims, a few of whom had been intercourse staff. It took years to determine a number of the victims, with the final one being recognized in October 2023, as Suzanne Kjellenberg, in response to CNN. The assassin was arrested in 1995 following the homicide of Julie Winningham. He was given three life sentences, and in January 2010, he acquired a fourth.
Why Was He Known as the “Glad Face” Killer?
The killer was given his notorious nickname shortly after his first homicide of Taunja Bennet in 1990. After the information of Bennet’s loss of life, Laverne Pavlinac had falsely confessed to the homicide, claiming that her then-boyfriend John Sosnovske was accountable, per Individuals. She had claimed that her relationship was abusive and noticed the confession as an opportunity to finish the connection. Following her confession, each she and her boyfriend had been convicted and spent 4 years in jail for the homicide.
In 1994, the killer wrote the letter, which earned him the nickname. It was a confession letter to The Oregonian newspaper, the place he detailed 5 murders, together with Bennet’s. He signed the letter with a drawing of a Glad Face, thus incomes the nickname, per The New York Instances.
Who Is the Glad Face Killer?
After his arrest, the Glad Face Killer’s identification was revealed to be Keith Hunter Jesperson. He had been married to Rose Hucke from 1975 to 1990, after they divorced. They’d 4 kids collectively, together with their eldest daughter Melissa, who was 10 after they break up. Jesperson had labored as a trucker, and through certainly one of his journeys Rose left with the youngsters, suspecting that he was having an affair.
Who Is Enjoying the Glad Face Killer within the New Present?
The sequence from Paramount+ will probably be primarily based on an iHeartMedia podcast Glad Face, in addition to Moore’s e-book and her personal experiences. The present stars Annaleigh Ashford as Melissa, whereas Dennis Quaid performed Keith. It premiered on March 20, 2025.
