A True Monster or Victim? Aileen Wuornos - Mind of a Monster

Aileen Wuornos is often remembered as America's first female serial killer, a title that brings more infamy than notoriety. Born into a life marked by trauma and hardship, Wuornos’s descent into murder is a tale of survival, abuse, and psychological turmoil. This article explores the life of Aileen Wuornos, the crimes she committed, and the investigation that followed, shedding light on the complexities of her actions and the mind behind them.

Early Life and Background

Aileen Wuornos was born on February 29, 1956, in Rochester, Michigan, to Diane Wuornos and Leo Dale Pittman. Diane was just 14 when she married 16-year-old Leo. The couple had a son in March 1955 and Aileen the following year. Diane filed for divorce two months before Aileen was born.

Aileen’s father, Leo, was in prison at the time of her birth, convicted of the rape and attempted murder of a seven-year-old girl. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Leo spent much of his life in and out of mental institutions and prisons for various sex crimes against children. He committed suicide in January 1969.

Aileen’s mother abandoned her and her brother, Keith, when Aileen was just four years old. Diane left them at their grandparents' house, never to return. Aileen and Keith were legally adopted by their grandparents in 1960.

A Troubled Childhood

Aileen’s upbringing with her grandparents was fraught with abuse and neglect. By age 11, she was engaging in sexual activities in exchange for drugs, cigarettes, and food, both inside and outside of school. She and her brother reportedly had sexual relations at home, and Aileen’s grandfather, an alcoholic, sexually and physically abused her. He also allowed friends to rape her.

At 14, Aileen became pregnant by one of her grandfather’s friends. She was placed in a home for unwed mothers, where she gave birth in March 1971. The baby was put up for adoption. After returning to her grandparents' home, her grandmother died of liver failure, and Aileen dropped out of school.

At 15, Aileen was kicked out by her grandfather. She lived in the woods nearby and supported herself through sex work.

A Life of Crime

Between ages 15 and 18, Aileen’s life of crime began. In May 1974, at 18, she was arrested in Colorado for DUI, disorderly conduct, and firing a pistol from a moving vehicle. She was later charged with failure to appear in court.

In 1976, Aileen hitchhiked to Florida, where she married 69-year-old Lewis Gratz Fell, a yacht club president. Their marriage was tumultuous, marked by Aileen’s frequent bar fights and eventual assault on Fell with his own cane. Fell filed a restraining order against her, and the marriage was annulled within weeks.

In July 1976, Aileen returned to Michigan, where she was arrested for assault and disturbing the peace after throwing a cue ball at a bartender’s head. Shortly after, her brother Keith died of cancer, leaving her $10,000 in insurance money. Aileen squandered the money within two months, wrecking the car she purchased.

By 1981, Aileen had returned to Florida, where she robbed a convenience store, netting $35 and two packs of cigarettes. She was caught and served a year in prison. Following her release, she continued her criminal activities, including forgery, grand theft auto, and resisting arrest.

The Murders

In January 1986, Aileen met Tyra Moore at a gay bar in Daytona Beach. The two quickly moved in together, with Aileen supporting them through sex work. Their relationship was marked by frequent run-ins with the law, with Ty often acting as a witness in Aileen’s defense.

From late 1989 to 1990, Aileen murdered seven men within a 12-month period. Here are brief descriptions of her known victims:

1. Richard Mallory: A 51-year-old store owner in Clearwater, Florida. He was found in December 1989, shot several times. Aileen claimed he attempted to rape her, prompting her to kill him in self-defense.

2. David Spears: A 47-year-old found along Route 19 in Citrus County, Florida, in June 1990. He had been shot six times.

3. Charles Carskaddon: A 40-year-old part-time rodeo worker, found in Pascoe County, Florida, shot nine times and wrapped in an electric blanket.

4. Peter Siems: A 65-year-old devout Christian, his body was never found, but witnesses saw Aileen and Ty abandoning his car.

5. Troy Burress: A 50-year-old sausage salesman, reported missing in July 1990. His body was found in August, shot twice.

6. Charles Humphreys: A retired U.S. Air Force Major and former police chief, found in September 1990, shot six times.

7. Walter Antonio: A 62-year-old trucker, found in a remote area in Dixie County, shot four times.

Capture and Trial

Aileen and Ty were finally captured after a witness identified them from a car accident involving one of the victim's vehicles. A massive media campaign helped locate them. On January 9, 1991, Aileen was arrested at the Last Resort biker bar in Florida. Ty was found in Pennsylvania the next day.

The police used Ty to get a confession from Aileen, offering her immunity in exchange. Ty called Aileen multiple times, pleading with her to clear her name. On January 16, Aileen confessed to the murders, claiming self-defense against rape attempts.

Aileen faced multiple trials for each murder, from January to November 1992. She received six death sentences. Despite her claims of self-defense, she later admitted to robbing and killing her victims to leave no witnesses.

Execution and Legacy

Aileen spent years on death row at Florida State Prison. In 2001, she petitioned the Florida Supreme Court to dismiss her legal counsel and terminate her appeals, stating she wanted to die. A court-appointed panel of psychiatrists deemed her sane.

Her execution took place on October 9, 2002. She declined a last meal, opting for a cup of coffee. Her final words were, “Yes, I would just like to say I’m sailing with the Rock and I’ll be back like Independence Day with Jesus, June 6, like the movie, big mothership and all. I’ll be back.”

Aileen Wuornos became the 10th woman executed in the U.S. and the second in Florida since the reinstatement of capital punishment in 1976. Her life and crimes inspired numerous books, movies, and documentaries, including the acclaimed film "Monster."

Final Thoughts

Aileen Wuornos's life was a tragic and complex journey marked by abuse, survival, and ultimately, violence. While her actions were heinous, they were rooted in a deeply troubled upbringing. Her case raises questions about the impact of trauma and mental health on criminal behavior, and whether society failed to help a woman in desperate need.

Aileen Wuornos remains a figure of both infamy and sympathy, a stark reminder of the human capacity for both suffering and destruction.