Drinking Deadly Drano: Wrong Place, Wrong Time - The Hi-Fi Murders

The Hi-Fi Murders, a gruesome event that took place in Ogden, Utah, in 1974, is one of the most brutal crimes in American history. This chilling story involves a failed robbery, shocking torture methods, and senseless murder, leaving an indelible mark on the community and the nation. At the center of these crimes were two men: Dale Pierre and William Andrews.

The Perpetrators

Dale Pierre

Dale Pierre, born in 1952 in Trinidad and Tobago, moved with his family to New York in 1970. Living in Brooklyn, Dale was known as a bratty and unpleasant child. In 1973, he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, working as a helicopter mechanic. Right from the start, Dale exhibited suspicious behavior. Within his first week on base, Sergeant Edward Jefferson was found murdered in his apartment, a bayonet thrust through his eye. Despite the circumstantial evidence linking Dale to the crime, no direct evidence was found, leaving the case unsolved.

William Andrews

William Andrews, born in Virginia in 1953, had a challenging upbringing. Raised by his older sister Audrey after their parents were absent, William was described as a solid, non-confrontational individual. Stationed at Hill Air Force Base alongside Dale, he was well-liked and made friends easily. However, his association with Dale would lead him down a dark path.

The Plan

Dale, struggling to adapt to military life and frequently in trouble for minor offenses, sought a crime that would offer significant financial reward. He targeted the Hi-Fi Shop, an independent electronics store in Ogden, Utah, known for its expensive stereo equipment. Dale convinced William and another airman, Keith Roberts, to join him in the robbery.

The Crime

On April 22, 1974, Dale, William, and Keith entered the Hi-Fi Shop as it was closing for the day. Two young employees, 19-year-old Michelle Ansley and 20-year-old Stanley Walker, were working their shift. The robbers forced Michelle and Stanley into the basement, tying them up.

As the robbery unfolded, 16-year-old Courtney Naisbitt, a friend of the employees, entered the store. Unaware of the ongoing crime, he was immediately captured, beaten, and thrown into the basement. Shortly after, Stanley's father, Orin Walker, concerned for his son’s safety, arrived at the store and met the same fate.

The Torture

With the hostages secured in the basement, Dale and William’s plan took a horrific turn. Inspired by a scene from the 1973 film "Magnum Force," where a pimp kills a prostitute by forcing her to drink drain cleaner, Dale decided to replicate the method. Finding Drano in the store, they poured it into plastic cups and forced the hostages to drink, telling them it was vodka mixed with a "German drug" that would knock them out.

The Drano caused immediate, excruciating pain, burning their mouths and throats. The victims screamed in agony, prompting the attackers to tape their mouths shut. However, the Drano had already burned the skin off their lips, making the tape ineffective.

Frustrated by the noise and slow deaths, Dale and William argued. William, increasingly uneasy and reluctant, wanted to leave, but Dale insisted on continuing. Dale then grabbed a gun and shot each victim. Carol Naisbitt, who had come looking for her son, and Michelle Ansley were killed instantly. Courtney and Orin, however, survived the initial shots by playing dead.

The Aftermath

Dale, noticing Orin was still alive, attempted to strangle him with a cord, then resorted to a more brutal method. He shoved a pen into Orin’s ear and stomped on it until it snapped, driving it into Orin's throat. Believing Orin was finally dead, Dale and William fled the scene.

Miraculously, Orin survived and was able to describe the attackers to the police. His detailed account, along with the discovery of the victims’ wallets by two boys on the Air Force base, led to the arrest of Dale and William. The police found incriminating evidence in their rooms, including stereo equipment and a bottle of Drano, linking them to the crime.

The Trial and Sentencing

Dale and William were swiftly convicted of multiple counts of murder and robbery. Despite his lesser role in the actual killings, William was sentenced to death alongside Dale. This decision sparked controversy, given William’s minimal criminal history and the racial tensions in 1970s Utah.

Execution and Controversy

Dale Pierre was executed by lethal injection in 1987, becoming the first person in Utah to face this method of execution. William Andrews was executed in 1992, despite significant public outcry and appeals for clemency. Many argued that William, who did not directly participate in the murders, did not deserve the death penalty. His last words were, "I love you, bye-bye."

Legacy

The Hi-Fi Murders remain a horrifying chapter in Utah’s history, illustrating the depths of human cruelty. The surviving victims, Courtney and Orin, endured unimaginable trauma but managed to survive. Their testimonies and bravery were crucial in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

The case continues to provoke discussions on the death penalty, racial biases, and the psychological impact of violent crime. The Hi-Fi Murders are a stark reminder of the randomness of violence and the devastating consequences of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.