Infamous Mass Murderer

Richard Speck | Biography

• By Stone Palmer
• Original : January 13, 2025

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Who is Richard Speck?

Richard Benjamin Speck was an American mass murderer who gained notoriety after he brutally killed eight student nurses in Chicago during the summer of 1966. Born on December 6, 1941, in Kirkwood, Illinois, Speck grew up in a troubled household marked by abuse and delinquency. His early years were plagued by criminal behavior, including theft and assaults, leading to multiple stints in jail. His violent tendencies only escalated as he moved from minor crimes to the horrific murders that would etch his name into infamy.

On July 14, 1966, Speck entered a townhouse that housed eight young nursing students, ultimately committing heinous acts of violence that included strangulation, stabbing, and rape. His brutal rampage was meticulously executed, with the last known survivor, Corazon Amurao, managing to elude detection by hiding under a bed. Following a widespread manhunt, Speck was captured just days later. His trial revealed the harrowing details of the case, leading to a death sentence that was later commuted to a long prison term when capital punishment was abolished. Richard Speck died in prison from a heart attack in 1991, leaving a legacy of horror and tragedy.

Early Life and Education

Richard Benjamin Speck was born on December 6, 1941, in Kirkwood, Illinois, as the seventh of eight children in a devoutly religious family. His formative years were marred by tragedy when his father passed away when Speck was only six years old. Following this loss, his mother remarried, and the family relocated to Dallas, Texas. Unfortunately, life in his new home became increasingly abusive, as Speck and his siblings suffered at the hands of their alcoholic stepfather. This tumultuous environment contributed to Speck's early forays into juvenile delinquency and alcohol experimentation, laying the groundwork for a troubled future.

Despite these challenges, Speck's educational journey was somewhat conventional; he attended local schools but struggled to remain focused and engaged. His adolescent years were further complicated by rebellious behavior and petty crimes, which led to run-ins with the law. The culmination of his troubled youth occurred in November 1962 when he married Shirley Malone. Shortly after, they welcomed a daughter, Bobby Lynn, but Speck's criminal tendencies soon interfered with his role as a husband and father, resulting in imprisonment for crimes like theft and check fraud. These experiences underscored the instability that defined Speck's early life, setting the stage for his later, infamous actions.

Path to Infamy: Richard Speck's Criminal Beginnings

Richard Speck's trajectory towards infamy began in his tumultuous early years. Born into a large, religious family in Kirkwood, Illinois, in 1941, he was raised amidst chaos following the death of his father when he was just six years old. His mother remarried, and the family's life was dominated by the abuse inflicted by his alcoholic stepfather. The environment cultivated delinquent behavior in Speck, leading him to a life of petty crime and alcohol dependence. By the time he reached adulthood, his criminal record included offenses like theft and aggravated assault, painting a portrait of a troubled and dangerous individual.

After several brushes with the law, including a brief marriage that ended in divorce due to his violent behavior, Speck's criminal tendencies escalated. In 1966, he moved to Chicago, fleeing previous troubles, but soon resumed his violent ways. His early acts of violence included the brutal rape and murder of individuals, evading law enforcement at every turn. Speck’s heinous acts culminated in the shocking massacre of eight student nurses in July 1966, a crime that firmly established his notoriety in the annals of American crime history. This brutal chapter would mark the unforgiving path to his infamy, as he would soon be the subject of a nationwide manhunt.

The Horrific Crimes of July 1966

In July 1966, Richard Speck became infamous for one of the most horrifying crime sprees in American history. On the night of July 13, he entered a communal home on Chicago’s South Side, which was inhabited by eight student nurses. Armed and menacing, Speck forced the women to submit to his will, tying them up and systematically staging a gruesome assault that left all but one dead. Aged between 19 and 24, these young women described a night of terror, culminating in brutal beatings, sexual violence, and in some cases, murder—acts so heinous that they shocked the city and the nation.

Corazon Amurao, one of the nurses, managed to survive by hiding beneath a bed as the horrors unfolded. After hours of silence, she escaped by climbing out a window and calling for help from neighbors. Her bravery was pivotal; Amurao's memory of specific details, including Speck’s distinctive tattoo, formed a critical part of the police investigation. Following a nationwide manhunt initiated after the murders, Speck was apprehended just two days later. His horrific crimes not only claimed innocent lives but also ignited a media frenzy and a national dialogue about violence against women and the efficacy of law enforcement.

The Arrest and Trial of Richard Speck

Richard Speck's horrific crimes led to a nationwide manhunt that ended just two days after the brutal murders of eight young student nurses on July 13, 1966. Following the violent spree, one survivor, Corazon Amurao, managed to hide from Speck and later provided crucial testimony to the police. Her detailed description, including his distinctive tattoo that read "Born to Raise Hell," helped authorities identify Speck as the prime suspect. Only after nearly a week of investigative work were fingerprint matches confirmed, sealing his fate. In a desperate attempt to evade capture, Speck attempted suicide but was apprehended while receiving medical treatment for his injuries.

The trial of Richard Speck began on April 3, 1967, capturing significant media attention due to the brutality of his crimes. Amurao stood as a key witness, recounting her ordeal with remarkable composure despite the trauma she endured. The trial was notably brief, lasting just 12 days, and the evidence against Speck was overwhelming. On April 15, the jury found him guilty of all eight murders after deliberating for less than an hour. The judge sentenced him to death, but this verdict would be altered years later when the U.S. Supreme Court's rulings led to his sentence being commuted to 50 to 100 years in prison.

Personal Life: Wife, Daughter and Divorce

Richard Speck's personal life was tumultuous and marked by struggles that foreshadowed his later criminal behavior. He married Shirley Malone in November 1962, and together they welcomed a daughter named Bobby Lynn shortly afterwards. However, their marriage quickly deteriorated as Speck's problems with alcohol and crime escalated. His tendency towards violence and reoffending put a strain on their relationship, leading to domestic issues and considerable distress for his wife. Ultimately, the couple's challenges became too significant to overcome, and Shirley filed for divorce in January 1966, highlighting a personal life that was as chaotic as his escalating criminal endeavors.

The divorce not only reflected the consequences of Speck's actions but also left a significant impact on their daughter, Bobby Lynn. Growing up with a father embroiled in criminal activities and a mother desperate to escape that violence must have been shattering for her. Speck's behavior created a cloud of shame and instability that affected his family profoundly. Despite being a father, his choices and violent tendencies overshadowed any role he had in his daughter's life, leading to a painful legacy that would linger on long after his heinous crimes and imprisonment.

Net Worth and Earning: Prison Life and Earnings

Richard Speck, notorious for the brutal murders of eight student nurses in 1966, lived a life marked by crime and violence, which continued even during his incarceration. After being sentenced to death, his capital punishment was commuted to a lengthy prison term, where he spent decades in various Illinois correctional facilities. During this time, Speck had no ongoing legitimate means of income. However, reports indicated that he received money from family members and other sources. While exact figures remain unclear, it is believed that his earnings, if any, were minimal, with the majority of his life being spent in solitary confinement or under surveillance.

In 1996, a scandalous video surfaced showing Speck indulging in drugs and engaging in sexual acts with other inmates, raising eyebrows about his lifestyle behind bars. The footage painted a disturbing picture of a man who, despite his heinous actions, seemed to find ways to obtain contraband and exploit his situation. The contents of the video also suggested that Speck had undergone hormone treatment, further complicating perceptions of his identity during his time in prison. Ultimately, Speck’s life in prison did not accumulate wealth in a conventional sense, but rather became a somber reflection of his past deeds and the notoriety they brought him.

FAQs

Who was Richard Speck?

Richard Speck was a notorious American criminal known for the brutal murders of eight student nurses in Chicago in July 1966. His horrific actions not only captured national attention but also left a lasting impact on the American psyche regarding violent crime. Prior to the murders, Speck had a criminal history that included theft, assault, and other violent acts, revealing a pattern of delinquency that culminated in his infamous crime.

What crimes did Richard Speck commit?

Speck is most infamously known for the July 1966 killing spree where he brutally murdered eight young women in a South Chicago townhouse. Beyond this tragic event, he had a history of violence, including assaults and theft, showcasing a pattern of criminal behavior leading up to the murders that shocked the nation. His crimes not only included murder but also robbery and sexual assault, demonstrating his capacity for violence.

How was Richard Speck captured?

Richard Speck was captured two days after his heinous crimes when one of the surviving victims, Corazon Amurao, provided a detailed description of him, including his distinctive tattoo that read "Born to Raise Hell." His identity was confirmed through fingerprint analysis, and he was taken into custody after a failed suicide attempt in a hotel. His capture marked the end of a tumultuous manhunt and began the legal proceedings that would follow.

What was the outcome of Richard Speck's trial?

Richard Speck's trial began on April 3, 1967, and concluded within 12 days. The jury found him guilty of all eight murders after a brief deliberation. Speck was originally sentenced to death; however, this sentence was commuted to 50 to 100 years in prison in 1972 following a Supreme Court ruling that abolished capital punishment at the time. Speck remained in prison until his death from a heart attack in 1991.

What happened in prison after Richard Speck's trial?

During his time in prison, Richard Speck became a subject of notoriety once again when a video surfaced in 1996 showing him engaging in drug use and sexual activity with another inmate. The footage, filmed in the 1980s, revealed Speck's attempts to transition and his casual admission to the murders, which sparked public outrage and a scandal within the Illinois Department of Corrections.