Henry Lee Lucas

Henry Lee Lucas (August 23, 1936–March 13, 2001) was an American criminal, convicted of murder and once listed as America's most prolific serial killer. However, he later recanted his confessions. He once flatly stated "I am not a serial killer" in a letter to researcher Brad Shellady.

Matricide

In late 1959, Lucas moved to Tecumseh, Michigan to live with his half-sister, Opal. Lucas was engaged to marry when his mother visited Michigan for Christmas. She disapproved of Henry's fiancée and insisted he move back to Virginia. He refused, and they argued repeatedly about his upcoming nuptials.

Related Topics:
1959 - Tecumseh - Michigan - Engaged - Marry - Christmas

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On January 11, 1960, Lucas killed his mother, stabbing her with a knife. He claimed to have returned home from a night of drinking and gone to bed, only to be later woken by his mother, who beat him with a broom. Lucas fled in a stolen car, returned to Virginia, then says he decided to drive back to Michigan, but was arrested in Ohio on the outstanding Michigan warrant.

Related Topics:
January 11 - 1960 - Killed his mother - Knife - Ohio

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Lucas claimed to have attacked his mother only in self defense, but his claim was rejected, and he was sentenced to between 20 and 40 years' imprisonment in Michigan for second degree murder. He served fifteen years and was released on August 22, 1975.

Related Topics:
Self defense - August 22 - 1975

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Lucas drifted around the American South, working a number of mostly short-term jobs. In Florida, he made the acquaintance of Ottis Toole sometime between 1976 and 1978 (sources disagree) and claims to have had a romantic affair with Toole's pubescent niece, Frieda Powell, who had escaped from a juvenile detention facility. Lucas and Toole both called Powell "Becky" sometimes, partly to disguise her identity and because Powell preferred it over her given name. Lucas and Toole were also reportedly lovers. Lucas would later claim that during this period he had killed hundreds of people, sometimes as Toole's partner. The trio left Florida and eventually settled in Stoneburg, Texas, at a religious commune called "The House of Prayer." Ruben Moore, the commune owner and minister, found Lucas a job as a roofer, and Moore allowed Lucas and Powell to live in a small apartment on the commune.

Related Topics:
Florida - Ottis Toole - Juvenile detention - Stoneburg - Commune - Minister - Roofer

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Powell became homesick, so Lucas agreed to move to Florida with her. Lucas said they argued at a Bowie, Texas truck stop and claimed that Powell left with a trucker. According to Shellady, a waitress at the truck stop supported Lucas' account in court.

Related Topics:
Bowie - Truck stop - Trucker - Waitress

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