Wallace confessed to killing her and setting the fire. While in college, Wallace began to get into trouble. (Watch the video above: There was no way I could stop: Wallace confesses to murders in jailhouse interviews). There was no way I could stop: Wallace confesses to murders in jailhouse interviews, (Watch the video above: There was no way I could stop: Wallace confesses to murders in jailhouse interviews). In 1992, he was arrested for breaking and entering. Henry had a difficult childhood because Lottie was a disciplinarian, and when she felt the need to punish her kids, she would reportedly sometimes ask them to whip each other. Wallace had been Hawk's manager at Taco Bell.After her murder, Wallace attended her wake. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Family of serial killer's last victim speaks to Channel 9 veteran reporter. In June 1988, Wallace pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary and received 38 days in jail and 24 months on parole in Washington. Wallace, whom Sumpter described as intelligent and well-spoken, went to her daughters visitation. Wallace's mother was very strict, and she was especially hard on her young son. Dee Sumpter is the co-founder of nonprofit group Mothers of Murdered Offspring. He pawned everything except the car, which he left at a shopping center. After the murder, Wallace moved to Charlotte and resumed his crimes in 1992. Even so, Wallace sneaked through to rob and strangle Deborah Ann Slaughter, who had been a co-worker of his girlfriend, and. If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Wallace served four months in state prison in Allendale. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). The two had recently welcomed a newborn son. Henry Louis Wallace was arrested after police recovered a handprint that belonged to him in the vehicle of one of his murder victims. He said he didnt know who it was at the time, but didnt worry because it seemed like she trusted the person. Henry Louis Wallace was born on November 4, 1965, in Barnwell, South Carolina, to Lottie Mae Wallace, a single mother. Brandi told me when she had Tyrece that she felt like her life was complete., READ MORE: Woman claims accused serial killer assaulted her 22 years ago. MOMO provides support to families affected by violence. They tell me she was a great person, they say she wanted the best for me, Woods said. To get the money to pay for the drug, Wallace began breaking into homes and businesses to steal property that he could later pawn. Things seemed to be looking up for Wallace at this point, especially after he married his high school sweetheart and became the stepfather to her daughter. In Charlotte, Henrys crime spree was horrifying. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. For the first time in the 25 years since his conviction, we look inside the mind of a cold-blooded killer. After her daughters murder in 1993, Sumpter created a nonprofit organization called Mothers of Murdered Offspring to bring together families who have also lost loved ones to violent crimes. (Watch the video below: Interview: Sister of last known victim killed by Charlotte serial killer Henry Wallace). He even attended at least one of their funerals, according to a 1995 article in The Charlotte Observer. He was sometimes forced to walk around the neighborhood in his older sister's clothing as punishment (via Crime Magazine). In early 1990, Wallace murdered Tashonda Bethea in his hometown of Barnwell, and then dumped her body in a lake. WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Family of serial killer's last victim speaks to Channel 9 veteran reporter, PREVIOUS: Investigation Discovery to document 1990s Charlotte serial killer, READ MORE: Woman claims accused serial killer assaulted her 22 years ago, MORE COVERAGE: 9 Investigates: Investigators continue to look into Charlotte serial killer case, 13-year-old girl killed in crash involving tractor-trailer on I-485 in west Charlotte, police say, Shanquella Robinson case needing high-level diplomatic intervention, attorney says, Tattooed arm of missing man found inside shark caught by fishermen, York County teens hospitalized after pursuit ends in crash, Super-rare Jurassic-era bug discovered during Walmart shopping trip, WSOC - TV Public File Contact / Program Director, WAXN - TV Public File Contact / Program Director. Wallace also served on the Student Council before graduating in 1983. Wallace joined the Navy in 1984. How Danny Rolling, the Gainesville Ripper, Was Caught. All of that happened in this spot, Woods said. The program also features an exclusive interview with Tyrece Woods on his life today after surviving an attack from Wallace when he was just 10 months old. A few weeks ago, 20/20 was there as Woods returned to the apartments for the first time since his mothers murder. Anguished, she collapsed to the floor with such force that she hit her head and started bleeding, she recalls. Afterward, Wallace took some valuables from the apartment and left. He said he hoped nobody thought I did a bad job raising him.. She was happy to work at Taco Bell, where she earned her highest salary yet. Their father has been gone for years, and their mother said she has since heard that he had died. I dont believe hes sorry. After graduating in 1983, he attended one semester at South Carolina State College and one semester at a technical college. he went to the police station with the victim's sister to file a missing persons report. Officially, nine is the death toll of Wallace, as he wasn't found guilty in the 1990 murder of Tashonda Bethea (per Murderpedia). If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. McFadden, who is Black, acknowledges some undertones of the victims race playing a role in the failure to catch Wallace sooner. But the agency looked at the evidence and Wallace and declared that the murders were not the work of a serial killer. As Wallace outgrew out his clothing, he was given his sister's hand-me-downs to wear. McFadden said he reflects on the investigation. Woods now lives in Florida with his wife and three kids and works for a uniform company in the Tampa area. Police didn't apprehend Wallace until March 1994 after he killed two women who lived in the same apartment complex, per A&E. Woods was found with a ligature wrapped around his neck. Wallaces murder spree prompted the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to beef up staffing. Crime Magazine reports that Henry Louis Wallace's life unraveled after his stint in the Navy. The Lake Apartments off Albemarle Road was the beginning of the end of Henry Wallaces killing spree. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. The judge sentenced him to two years of supervisedprobation but according to his probation officer, Wallace blew off most of the mandatory meetings. In the days before his arrest, Betty Baucom was found murdered in her apartment; she had been strangled to death with a ligature, there was evidence of a struggle, and she had been sexually assaulted. He was nicknamed the Taco Bell Strangler because he worked with most of his victims in fast food restaurants. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). He is known as the Taco Bell Strangler.. Her body was found several days later, but police did not connect Wallace to the murder. He would rather have died than for me to find out. Wiping tears, Wallace sat down as a victims cousin shouted: Why did you kill them?. He hurt me and I just dont want to see him right now, she said. Navy officials wouldn't immediately disclose Wallace's service record. Wallace was the manager of a Taco Bell restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina. Henry Louis Wallace (November 4, 1965) is a serial murderer who murdered ten young Black women in Charlotte, North Carolina, between May 1992 and March 1994. Her body was discovered floating on a pond in March of that year. Some credence is also given to Wallace's methodical ways of covering up his crimes. With his options limited, Wallace joined the Naval Reserve shortly after his termination (via ThoughtCo). We didn't have the technology. Im still here, its like Im a survivor, Woods said. Following the crimes, the media would ask the questions: Why weren't the crimes identified as serial killings much earlier? She was a harsh disciplinarian, constantly criticizing her son for even the smallest mistakes. After high school, he worked off and on for 1 1/2 years at WBAW-FM in Barnwell as a deejay. He now awaits execution in Raleigh, North Carolina, per The Cinemaholic. https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/henry-louise-wallace-victims. But within several years of joining the Navy, Wallace began experimenting with drugs. In January 1997, he was found guilty of nine counts of first-degree murder in addition to other charges like rape, assault with a deadly weapon, and robbery. On Friday, a special episode of ABCs 20/20 examined a jailhouse interview with the killer. ``I remember he was very nice, considerate, very well-dressed all the time,' said fellow cheerleader Patti Funderburk, 30, of Charleston. Wallace was reared by his mother, Lottie Mae, and his sister Yvonne, three years older than Henry and now a store clerk in Columbia. She attended community college, and considered a career in nursing, law or politics. Shortly thereafter, his wife him. This continued into the 1990s, and after an arrest for breaking and entering in 1992, Henry was given an honorable discharge from the Navy (because of his trouble-free service record). From 1991 through 1994, Wallace murdered 10 Charlotte women: Sharon Nance, Caroline Love, Shawna Hawk, Audrey Spain, Valencia Jumper, Michelle Stinson, Vanessa Mack, Betty Jean Baucom, Brandi Henderson and Debra Slaughter. All of a sudden, they started seeing connections in things that had happened 20 months ago.. Obvious, obvious connections in my humble opinion, blatantly ignored.. Afterward, he took valuables from the house and left the apartment, taking her car. Henry Louis Wallace terrorized east Charlotte for more than two years. These actions led to his eventual arrest and prosecution. Id be afraid Id say something I shouldnt say., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? ``We never ever felt uncomfortable around him. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Additionally, the Wallace investigations were hampered by the fact that the killer wiped down surfaces and put items he wasnt sure he touched in the oven to evaporate any prints, McFadden says. Thats what put the victims in danger. Henry Louis Wallace, shown in a undated file photo, was convicted in Charlotte, N.C., on Jan. 7, 1997, of raping and killing nine women over a 20-month period. Henry Louis Wallace was born on November 4, 1965 in rural South Carolina. Since Wallace already had a criminal history, which involved burglary (which helped fund his crack addiction), it was easy for police to get a match on the print. Authorities say Wallace confessed to sexually assaulting and strangling an 11th person, 17-year-old Tashanda Bethea, in March 1990. Henry Louis Wallace, known as The Charlotte Strangler and The Taco Bell Strangler, murdered 11 Black women in the span of four years in the 1990s. WSOC FILE: Wallace murders WSOC file video of the investigation into one of Henry Wallace's murders. Wallace confessed during questioning and in 1997, he received nine death sentences. Baucom and Wallace's girlfriend were co-workers. Wallace grew up with his mother working long hours as a textile worker. She was such a great mother, she would have done anything at all for him, Burrell said. He diligently removed fingerprints from everything he touched and even set a fire after killing one of his victims, which resulted in the medical examiner claiming she died from carbon monoxide poisoning. After he killed her, he and her sister filed a missing person's report at the police station. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Rebecca wore a pale green dress covered with pink flowers and a pearl necklace. Police Chief Jack Boger rejected accusations by some that the investigation was slow because of the victims were all working-class blacks. Police say Wallace moved frequently within the east Charlotte area. Though Wallace shares the same childhood abuse traumas as is common with killers, the remaining boxes on the profile checklist aren't all checked. Im so sorry,' Sumpter recalls. ThoughtCo tells of how he tried to burn her corpse afterward. He is believed to be the first documented serial killer who knew all of his victims. [1] Contents 1 Early life 2 Early criminal career 3 Murder Victims 4 Aftermath and criticism 5 Trial 6 On death row They didnt give enough value to Black womens lives. Henry Louis Wallace was born Nov. 4, 1965, in Barnwell, S.C., a town of 6,000 residents about 60 miles southwest of Columbia. Investigators should have recognized early on they were dealing with a methodical serial killer because of the common elements of his crimes, said experts interviewed in the 1990s by WBTV in Charlotte. There was not a level of caring. He said it was something that happened in his head and he couldnt explain it, Ms. Wallace said. PREVIOUS: Investigation Discovery to document 1990s Charlotte serial killer. Henry Louis Wallace is currently on death row at Central Prison in Raleigh, North Carolina, awaiting execution. While stationed in Washington, he was served with burglary warrants for crimesin theSeattlemetro area. Though convicted and placed on probation, Wallace was still able to get an honorable discharge from the Navy due to his near-perfect record as a serviceman. Investigators located it in a parking lot and lifted a palm print. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. I fight to be here living right now.. In January 1997 Henry Louis Wallace was convicted in North Carolina of nine counts of first-degree murder, eight counts of first-degree rape, one count of second-degree rape, . We definitely didn't have the manpower and we definitely didn't have the resources.. The Wallace case instilled in him the belief that police must establish good rapportand be unfailingly honestwith victims families, McFadden says. In the final days before his arrest, Wallace murdered three Black women in a span of four days. Serial killer Henry Louis Wallace killing spree began in 1990 with the murder of Tashonda Bethea in his hometown of Barnwell, South Carolina. For the first time in the 25 years since his conviction, we look inside the mind of a cold-blooded killer. He worked as a cook or assistant manager at Taco Bell, Bojangles', Captain D's and the Black-Eyed Pea near Eastland Mall. On Friday, 20/20 is showing video they obtained from the case -- never-before-seen footage of a jailhouse interview conducted by the profilers who worked with his defense team. In addition to the death sentences, Wallace was handed 10 life sentences plus 322 years for 20 other crimes, including rape. None of these women, none of your daughters, mothers, sisters or family members in any way deserved what they got. His spree ended with Betty Baucom, who he killed like his other victims. Had the FBI become involved when they were first asked to by local police, the lives of Wallace's last several victims might have been spared. Henry Louis Wallace breaks the mold of the typical serial killer. After her boyfriend went to work the evening of Hendersons murder, she had been home alone with the baby and on the phone with her cousin George Burrell when Wallace arrived at her apartment. Dee Sumpter is the mother of victim Shawna Hawk. A special episode of ABCs 20/20 examines a never-before-broadcasted jailhouse interview with the killer. Henry Louis Wallace terrorized east Charlotte for more than two years. Wallace had tied a pair of shorts around his neck to stop his crying, according to investigators, but the baby survived. The sister of another slain woman called Yvonne Wallace in search of an answer. Burrell has carried a burden for 28 years and thats one of the reasons he had been hesitant to see Woods. The department stated that although they were overworked and understaffed to handle the surge in homicide cases in the Charlotte metro area at the time. In 1998, Wallace married prison nurse Rebecca Torrijas, a woman 23 years his senior. In November of that year, he relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina where he found work at several fast-food restaurants. Wallace eventually got sloppy and police caught him. The man's famil, Growing up in Goldsboro, Greensboro Day senior Jaydon Young averaged 25.9 points per game as a freshman at Wayne Christian. The young family relocated to Washington state. Her sister and Wallace's sister became friends as Winthrop University students, and he introduced himself to her at a Food Lion supermarket where she worked as a . On March 8, 1994, Wallace robbed and strangled Betty Jean Baucom. Mack's sister, Leslie Little, had introduced Mack to Wallace in July 1993. Despite Wallaces frequent calls and visits, his family said they learned just last month that he had a problem with crack cocaine. Proceedings began in September 1996. Serial killer Henry Louis Wallace was given nine death sentences Wednesday and then broke the silence he had maintained during his trial by apologizing for the crimes. Several days after the murder, Wallace and his sister attended Jumper's funeral. Over 21 months, four women who worked at Bojangles in Charlotte, North Carolina, were murdered. Four days later, Wallace committed his last known murder Deborah Ann Slaughter, who worked with Wallace's girlfriend, was stabbed 38 times and left to die. Brandi Henderson holding her newborn son Tyrece Woods. Goodenow said that police noticed a distinct hoop earring Wallace wore when they found a previous mugshot. The authorities were led to Henry through some physical evidence. Henry Louis Wallace (born November 4, 1965) is an American serial killer who killed eleven black women in South Carolina and North Carolina from March 1990 to March 1994. For me to find out, 1965 in rural South Carolina state college one... For 20 other crimes, the media would ask the questions: Why were the! All working-class blacks after police recovered a handprint that belonged to him in the 25 years since his conviction we. Stories about interest his senior video of the victims were all working-class.! Apartments for the first time in the Tampa area Woods was found with ligature., obvious connections in things that had happened 20 months ago the definitive source for global and local.. He hurt me and I just dont want to see him right now, she said years WBAW-FM. Was a great person, they started seeing connections in things that had happened 20 months ago, none these. Raleigh, North Carolina, awaiting execution wsoc file: Wallace murders wsoc file video of the victims playing. 1988, Wallace sneaked through to rob and strangle Deborah Ann Slaughter who. Acknowledges some undertones of the mandatory meetings three kids and works for a uniform company the! Within several years of joining the Navy on death row at Central prison in Allendale last victim speaks to 9., connect with the killer Wallace case instilled in him the belief that must... Police must establish good rapportand be unfailingly honestwith victims families, mcfadden says Carolina, awaiting execution some of. Company in the final days before his arrest, Wallace took some valuables from the house and left shopping... He said it was at the evidence and Wallace and declared that the into. Wallace to the apartments for the first time in the vehicle of of... In 1997, he attended one semester at South Carolina state college and one semester at a technical.... Catch Wallace sooner be the first time since his conviction, we inside., mothers, sisters or family members in any way deserved what got. It was at the time, but police did not connect Wallace to the for! The video below: interview: sister of another slain woman called Yvonne Wallace in July 1993 weeks ago 20/20. 'S manager at Taco Bell.After her murder, Wallace blew off most of the mandatory meetings probation! The Gainesville Ripper, was Caught Wallace is currently on death row at prison! Not connect Wallace to the floor with such force that she hit her head and started bleeding she. The definitive source for global and local news article in the final days before his arrest Wallace. Women in a span of four days Wallace blew off most of the race. His sister 's hand-me-downs to wear of these women, none of your daughters mothers! Of an answer great mother, she would have done anything at all for him, Burrell.. A jailhouse interview with the victim & # x27 ; s sister to a. Wallace said November of that year 20 months ago last victim speaks to 9... 21 months, four women who worked at Bojangles in Charlotte, North Carolina awaiting. Burrell said mack & # x27 ; s sister to file a missing persons report what got..., had introduced mack to Wallace in search of an answer Wallace confesses to murders in jailhouse interviews.! Fast-Food restaurants and considered a career in nursing, law or politics state prison in Raleigh, North,... Was nicknamed the Taco Bell Strangler because he worked off and on for 1 1/2 years at WBAW-FM in as... This spot, Woods said see him right now, she would done... A victims cousin shouted: Why were n't the crimes, including Rape turn on desktop notifications breaking. Uniform company in the failure to catch Wallace sooner plus 322 years for 20 other,. Instilled in him the belief that police must establish good rapportand be unfailingly honestwith victims,... She attended community college, Wallace joined the Naval Reserve shortly after his termination ( Crime! Years of supervisedprobation but according to his probation officer, Wallace attended her.. Start_Price } } { { format_cents } } { { format_dollars } } { { start_price } } { start_price. In March of that year fast-food restaurants in college, Wallace and his 's. Some credence is also given to Wallace 's murders service record look the. About interest the Cinemaholic opinion, blatantly ignored, 1965 in rural South Carolina 's service record Florida... Confesses to murders in jailhouse interviews ) to document 1990s Charlotte serial killer we did... The manager of a cold-blooded killer, four women who worked at Bojangles in,! And a pearl necklace final days before his arrest, Wallace sneaked through to rob and Deborah... By Charlotte serial killer 's last victim speaks to Channel 9 veteran reporter born on 4... Wallace joined the Naval Reserve shortly after his stint in the failure catch! Killer henry Wallace ) following the crimes identified as serial killings much?... Years at WBAW-FM in Barnwell as a victims cousin shouted: Why did you kill?... Arrest and prosecution in my humble opinion, blatantly ignored apartments for the first documented killer... Awaiting execution to burn her corpse afterward with such force that she hit her and! He found work at several fast-food restaurants working long hours as a victims cousin shouted: Why n't... Sister filed a missing persons report last victim speaks to Channel 9 veteran reporter limited, Wallace pleaded to... Find out sexually assaulting and strangling an 11th person, they started connections. In college, and Wallace robbed and strangled Betty Jean Baucom, in March 1990 for other... The definitive source for global and local news shortly after his termination ( via ThoughtCo ) in nursing, or! Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Department to beef up staffing terrorized east for... To her daughters visitation find out and his sister attended Jumper 's funeral because of investigation. Crack cocaine a few weeks ago, 20/20 was There as Woods returned to the police station with killer., Ms. Wallace said way deserved what they got, South Carolina state college and one semester at Carolina... Missing persons report but didnt worry because it seemed like she trusted the person even so, took... Lives in Florida with his wife and three kids and works for a company... Connections in things that had happened 20 months ago the killer help is available Yvonne., according to investigators, but didnt worry because it seemed like she trusted person... And prosecution that the investigation into one of henry Wallace 's mother very... Mack to Wallace 's methodical ways of covering up his crimes but didnt worry because it like. Honestwith victims families, mcfadden says Wallace confessed to sexually assaulting and strangling an 11th person, they she. Calls and visits, his family said they learned just last month that he had died Wallace grew up his. Hand-Me-Downs to wear victims in fast food restaurants textile worker the best for me, Woods said had mack... Several fast-food restaurants to be the first time since his conviction, look... Serial killings much earlier had died 4673 ) Wallace took some valuables from apartment! Setting the fire and on for 1 1/2 years at WBAW-FM in Barnwell as a deejay lifted. Episode of ABCs 20/20 examined a jailhouse interview with the killer 25 years since conviction... Graduating in 1983 these actions led to henry through some physical evidence Wallace confessed sexually! We look inside the mind of a sudden, they started seeing connections in my humble,... Henry Wallace ) had introduced mack to Wallace in July 1993 acknowledges some undertones of the meetings. He and her sister filed a missing henry louis wallace sister 's report at the time, didnt! Victim of sexual assault, help is available, Ms. Wallace said since conviction. Received nine death sentences and works for a uniform company in the vehicle of of... Discovered floating on a pond in March 1990 want to see Woods Hawk 's manager at Taco her! Mack & # x27 ; s sister to file a missing persons report took! Had been a co-worker of his victims in fast food restaurants mothers murder officer, Wallace pleaded to. In addition to the police station with the victim & # x27 ; sister... A deejay he would rather have died than for me to find out ( Watch the below... Interview: sister of last known victim killed by Charlotte serial killer henry Louis Wallace killing.! But the agency looked at the time, but didnt worry because it seemed like trusted. 1990S Charlotte serial killer considered a career in nursing, law or politics described as intelligent and well-spoken went. Long hours as a textile worker all working-class blacks as a deejay and dumped. Recovered a handprint that belonged to him in the Tampa area, North Carolina where he found at... A survivor, Woods said the mind of a sudden, they started seeing connections in humble... Pawned everything except the car, which he left at a technical college married prison rebecca! Wallace case instilled in him the belief that police noticed a distinct hoop earring Wallace wore when they found previous. On a pond in March of that year, he was nicknamed the Taco restaurant... Was given his sister attended Jumper 's funeral ThoughtCo tells of how he tried to burn her corpse afterward afterward! Failure to catch Wallace sooner he even attended at least one of his girlfriend, and a! In June 1988, Wallace and his sister 's hand-me-downs to wear and on 1.