Robert Lee Yates threw fast pitches in high school, but didn't have much of a curve. The top 10 pickleball players in the world are Benjamin Johns, Kyle Yates, Matt Wright, Tyson McGuffin, Steve Deakin, Adam Stone, Collin Johns, Riley Newman, Wesley Gabrielsen, and Jose Farias according to global rankings for Mens Doubles. "They (police) called me at work and said that they found a body in your yard. A family guy. He killed that.. He also enrolled in pre-med at the Walla Walla College. On Nov. 10, 1998, a police officer pulled over Yates' car, with a known prostitute in the passenger's seat. The youngest - the only boy - is now 11. In September 1998, Pantrol laid off two people, including Yates. In a public statement, provided by Kitsap Sun, Yate's family expressed sympathy for the victims. Inslee cited the high cost of the appeals process, the randomness with which death sentences are sought, and a lack of evidence that the penalty serves as a deterrent to other criminals. For money, Yates mowed lawns, worked at gas stations. But Yates didn't have a car, not one anyone could remember. In his only yearbook picture, he wore his hair short. There was even the body of Melody Murfin which had been buried in his own front yard. Last September, they called him into the office. Classmates in the pre-med program don't remember him. Law enforcement officers in many of those places are studying unsolved crimes to see if Yates might be involved. "It all turned into a big joke after a while. Supplied. Two were for meritorious service. Police looked for a white Corvette, and a state patrolman pulled over Yates in his Corvette along the drag in Spokane where prostitutes work. Yates, 48, still faces two aggravated first-degree murder charges and a possible death penalty in the deaths of two women in Pierce County. Police later say they found a button matching one missing from Joseph's jacket and traces of blood on a seat and seat-belt buckle. The next was when Yates was on duty in Alabama in the mid-80s. In 2001, Yates was charged in Pierce County with the murders of two additional women. His divorce from Nylander is not yet final. Robert Lee Yates, Jr., defied many of the inductive predictions that are frequently offered regarding serial murderershe was married, had a good job, a nice home, . Job: Criminal. 1990. She previously worked as a hairdresser in Spokane, but fell into drugs and prostitution six years after she moved, following the death of her son, who was waiting for a heart transplant. He then married his first wife, Shirley Nylander when he was 20 years old. Between 1996 and 1998, Robert Lee "Bob" Yates hired, then killed, 13 female sex workers in Spokane, Washington. In August 1997, more women's bodies started showing up, one after another. Linda Yates left Robert Yates for one month early in their marriage and again for one year in the mid 1980s. He told me, `Through all those years, Linda and I are the best of friends.' The Spokane Serial Killer: An American Monster by Investigation Discovery explores gruesome crimes committed by Robert Lee Yates. In retrospect, Linda accepted that there were a few dubious signs that should have alerted her. Late that spring, another prostitute was found shot to death. No trace of criminals on either side, points out Ernest Youderian, Yates' uncle, and no way is his nephew capable of such horrific acts. Linda Brewer met Robert Lee Yates when he was working at the Washington State Penitentiary as a corrections officer, and they married in 1976. On December 18, 1997, the body of Shawn Johnson, 36, was found with two gunshot wounds and two plastic bags covering her head, about a mile from the remains of Darla Scott. The Truth About The Spokane Killer's Childhood. Investigation Discovery, with the help of their show The Spokane Serial Killer: An American Monster, takes a peek at the lives of Robert Lee Yates who, at first glance, may as well be your neighbor. Robert Yates was arrested for murder and detectives searched the entire property. There were rumblings that a serial killer might be loose in Spokane, but nothing official. Almost all of these crimes involved sex workers on Spokanes East Sprague Avenue, who died due to gunshot wounds to the head. As reported by The Cinemaholic, Linda Yates was at work when she received a call telling her the body of Melody Ann Murfin was found buried in the backyard. Following his sentencing hearing, Yates made a statement apologizing to the families of all the victims he had killed. He is currently serving life in prison at the Washington State Penitentiary. Youderian said if he had ever had children he would want them to "come up as good" as Robert. These dates are when their bodies were found, not necessarily when they were killed. He and his son helped rebuild it. Most of his victims were prostitutes who wereinvolved with drugs. On June 14, 1996, Shannon Zielinski, 38, was found shot in the head in Mead. Bobby is the type of person you would want to have as your best friend.". His process was that after approaching them, (in many cases) he would have sex with them. Someone spilled coffee in his hard hat, and Yates shouted, jokingly at first, and then seriously. He drilled for seven hours a day with two students. As reported by Radford University's Department of Psychology, Yates Jr.'s childhood was far from ideal. Zielinski had a lengthy criminal record and worked as a prostitute. Her e-mail address is kbarker@seattletimes.com, Keiko Morris' phone message number is 425-745-7804. Despite his apparently favorable demeanor, authorities have no doubt Yates is a cruel and calculating killer. Sonja Yates, a daughter of Robert L. Yates Jr., leaves a courtroom with an unidentified man. [53], Yates had killed the following individuals:[5][1], Washington State Department of Corrections, List of serial killers in the United States, List of serial killers by number of victims, "Robert Yates: Son, husband, athlete, father, pilot, teacher, murder suspect", "One killer, two standards Experts say some inconsistency is expected", "Robert Lee Yates was the Spokane serial killer", "Police Looking for Worldwide Trail of Death", "Yates tells authorities about trail of killings", "Skagit skeleton not that of missing woman", "Few clues in death of young female transient", "Spokane shooting victim was Tacoma girl", "Authorities identify body of slain women", "Spokane seeking link in prostitute slayings", "Photos let mother reach the memories that daughter's killer could not erase (1/2)", "Photos let mother reach the memories that daughter's killer could not erase (2/2)", "3 Women sought for help in Spokane slayings", "Spokane task force looks for possible serial killer", "Two more women found dead in Spokane; task force at work", "Police prove mother's worst fears true (1/2)", "Police prove mother's worst fears true (2/2)", "Sixth victim tied to serial killings (1/2)", "Sixth victim tied to serial killings (2/2)", "Woman considered ninth serial victim (1/2)", "Woman considered ninth serial victim (2/2)", "Yates judge won't instruct jury on mercy, sympathy", "Spokane woman believed to be eighth serial killing victim", "Woman's death tied to serial killer (1/2)", "Woman's death tied to serial killer (2/2)", "Wash. From 1996 to 1998, he is known to have murdered at least 13 prostitutes in Spokane, Washington. By the time Yates moved to town, five women were already dead. Linda was at work one day when the police called to inform her that a body had been discovered in the yard. The family settled in Spokane. Once, he decided to go for a run and ended up in Coupeville, 10 miles down the road. February 1984 to October 1984 - Yates is a support aviator in the Brigade Support Company, Aviation Training Brigade, Fort Rucker, Ala., the Army's flight training center. Robert Lee Yates Jr. was born on May 27, 1952, and grew up in a middle-class family in Oak Harbor, Washington. "Bobby is a loving, caring, sensitive son; a fun-loving and giving brother; an understanding, generous and dedicated father who enjoys playing ball, They loved their dad and I just kind of suffered through it. He chose to go to Skagit Valley Community College with Gatti, about 28 miles from home. For obvious reasons, Roberts incarceration was quite tough on the family, financially speaking. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Robert Lee Yates Jr. (born May 27, 1952) aka The Grocery Bag Killer is an American serial killer from Spokane, Washington. However, as reported by SeattlePi, things started to change in 1999. Outside the Army, Yates had a tough time holding jobs. What kind of pickleball paddle does Kyle Yates use? Whidbey Island is full of Youderians. But in April 2000, his murderous streak was revealed to . Yates is 47, a father of five, a silver-anniversary husband. [23][24][20][25], Shawn Lynette Johnson [49], Yates remains incarcerated at the Washington State Penitentiary. From 1996 to 1998, Yates is known to have murdered at least 13 women, all of whom were prostitutes working on E. Sprague Avenue, in Spokane. She described the man as about 50 years old, 5'10" tall, 175 pounds, with sandy blond hair. February 22 - Body of Yolanda Sapp (African American, 26) prostitute. She was killed just a month after arriving in Spokane. The reexamination of an old clue finally helps investigators zero in on the murderer. The Woods Creek Sustainability Center is hosting a Hydropower Appreciation Day for guests to see how hydroelectricity gets made. The four youngest children enroll in the public school system. In a separate trial in 2002, Yates was convicted of two more murders. Yates was sentenced last month in Spokane to 408 years in prison for 13 murders 10 women in Spokane since 1996, a woman in Skagit County in 1988 and a couple near Walla Walla in 1975 and one. On August 26, 1997, Jennifer Joseph, 16, was found shot in the head in a field in Spokane. In the show, the audience is made privy to someone who was pretty much living a double life. Among the slayings is the death of 19-year-old Teresa Hesselgrave, whose body was found in a wooded area near Whidbey General Hospital in 1977. Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Serial Killer", "State high court upholds death penalty for Yates", "State Supreme Court grants Yates stay of execution", "Serial killer Robert Yates Jr. seeks federal appeal of death sentence", "Washington state to suspend death penalty by governor's moratorium", "Inslee halts executions in state while he is governor", "Supreme Court rejects serial killer Yates' petition to overturn death sentence", "List of inmates whose sentences are changed from death row to life in prison". There was an execution date that had been set for September 19, 2008, but it was stayed due to additional appeal requests. In 1975, he was hired by the Washington State Department of Corrections to work as a correction officer at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. Deceased (19382013) March 1998 - The Yateses buy a home a mile away from their rental house. Significantly to the series, he was also responsible for the murder of Nadia Decotis, greatly traumatizing Detective Erin Lindsay, the latter of whom he prominently stalked for a year in prison. People can learn about careers, enter for giveaways and get info on energy saving programs. At this point, he has 32.5 days of unused leave. Obviously, this was a shocking revelation for the wife. October 1987 to May 1988 - Yates is a support aviator and a standardization pilot at Fort Rucker. He was found guilty and was given the death penalty. In Spokane, the family rented a modest brown home on the South Hill, in a cul-de-sac subdivision with manicured bushes and tulips and ranch homes that stretch for blocks. While there, he wrote a letter to the local newspaper, defending the National Rifle Association, the Second Amendment and the right to own a weapon. Smith also told police the man told her he was a National Guard helicopter pilot and had five children. Science professors don't remember him. Al Gatti, who was close friends with Robert Lee Yates Jr. in high school, said they spent a lot of their free time together fishing, hiking, hunting, and even working odd jobs to make extra money. The bankruptcy petition lists their two-story home on Spokanes South Hill as the familys biggest asset. He learned to be an instructor pilot for the OH-58, the Kiowa, at the time the Army's primary observation helicopter. 5. It was Linda Yates first interview since the arrest of her husband in Spokane the morning of April 18. He then dumped their bodies at a variety of locations throughout the "skid row" section of town. At this time, the military was reducing its numbers, so he received full retirement despite being short of the customary 20 years served. But in April 2000, his murderous streak was revealed to the entire world, and things would never be the same. His English teacher, Trudy Sundberg, said one of the poems he wrote, and read aloud in class, was comparable to Shakespeare. There, he taught helicopter pilots how to teach soldiers to fly OH-58 helicopters. During his first trial in 2000, Yates took a plea bargain in which he pleaded guilty to 13 counts of first-degree murder in exchange for 408 years in prison, effectively avoiding the death penalty. The First Bodies of Robert Lee Yates Jr. Interesting update on Robert Lee Yates, the 48 year old Army veteran/torture victim in Washington, who is shaping up to be the MOST prolific newly discovered year 2000 serial killer in. He's telling me, `It's greater than anything I can imagine.' Linda Brewer met Robert Lee Yates when he was working at the Washington State Penitentiary as a corrections officer, and they married in 1976. A killing spree was embarked upon by Yates, a U.S. Army veteran, and a family man with five children. He says the prostitute is a friend's daughter he's driving home. [6] The victims were initially solicited for sex work by Yates, who would have sex with them, (often in his Ford van), then kill them and dump their bodies in rural locations. The Army hasn't yet released a complete time line of Yates' duty, but state records show he returned to Washington state at least once. She was buried beneath his bedroom window. [11][12], Stacy Elizabeth Hawn After a late bloom, stunning photos await at the monthlong festival with art, food, pickleball, millions of bulbs and traffic. Yates is an Army veteran and National Guard helicopter pilot who served tours in Germany and at several U.S. bases. Police say he drove his 1977 white Corvette down East Sprague Avenue and picked up prostitutes. The Spokane County sheriff says he is suspected in the deaths of 12 to 18 women. [18][19][20], Darla Sue Scott He served in Germany, Haiti and Somalia. 6 Who was Andrea Yates married to after the killings? Nondescript, he is most often described as "typical.". "You dont go out hunting with cologne on.". [52] After the Washington State Supreme Court ruled in 2018 that the death penalty violated the state constitution, Yates's death sentence, as well as that of Washington's other death row inmates, was commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole. They fished, hiked and built rafts. Profile from Radford University Dept of Psychology students, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Robert_Lee_Yates&oldid=1146503786, This page was last edited on 25 March 2023, at 08:45. Where Is Andrea Yates Husband Now? They got divorced two years later, and he then worked at the Washington State Penitentiary as a corrections officer in 1975 for a few months. But the plea bargain included another bombshell for his wife: Her husband revealed that for two years the body of one of his victims had been buried in their yard just outside their bedroom window. However, she and her children ultimately settled into "a quiet life" and are currently living in the state of Washington. On April 18, 2000, authorities descended on the Yates' home. Gatti last saw Yates the same month in Tacoma, when he was in town for training. People liked him, but they didn't know him well. [38][39][40], Michelyn Joann Derning Yates was sentenced last month in Spokane to 408 years in prison for 13 murders 10 women in Spokane since 1996, a woman in Skagit County in 1988 and a couple near Walla Walla in 1975 and one attempted murder. There are no openings. Six months later, Linda gave birth to a daughter. The couple went on to have four daughters and one son. Yates' father last week revealed his son was sexually assaulted as a child by a neighbor. Before his birth, his grandmother had murdered his grandfather with an axe in 1945. He didn't remember his friend's name. His luck had started to run out. While in the Army, Yates had 30 days of leave a year. January 1999 - He's told the misdemeanor charge for striking his daughter will be dropped if he doesn't do anything similar for two years. Robert Lee Yates is a member of. About 18 months after Robert and Shirley married, Shirley Yates moved home to her parents. Her death didn't seem to affect Yates much, Gatti says. Saw things through quite well. Meets Shirley Nylander from Fall City. As reported by HeraldNet, law enforcement officials descended on the family's home, forcing Linda and her children to leave with little warning. Robert and Linda Yates jointly filed a personal bankruptcy petition in late October. On February 8, 1998, Sunny Oster, 41, was found shot to death, in an identical manner as McClenahan and Wason, in a rural area of Spokane. Son Kyle born - starts neglecting daughters. Jay Inslee, the Governor of Washington, stated that he would not sign any death warrants for convicts who had been given the death penalty. He denied the cheating allegations and said that he went there to use their hot tub after his 12-hour shifts at the aluminum plant. He takes an advanced aviator course. He dreamed in college of being a doctor, but those dreams fell apart about the same time as his first marriage. Im a diehard Bears fan and I grew up just outside Chicago. Although he was described as a bit of a loner, Robert Lee Yates Jr. participated in a number of extracurricular activities, including football and choir. He's charged with a misdemeanor assault. He served in Germany, in Somalia, in Haiti. [45] Charges were dropped without prejudice in the murder of Shawn McClenahan so that, if Yates appealed his other guilty sentences, he could be tried for her murder and possibly sentenced to death. September 1998, Robert Lee Yates to teach soldiers to fly OH-58 helicopters Yates for year! One son for obvious reasons, Roberts incarceration was quite tough on the family, financially.! In 1945 have four daughters and one son, who died due additional! As `` typical. `` go out hunting with cologne on. `` was arrested murder! Explores gruesome crimes committed by Robert Lee Yates threw fast pitches in school... Assaulted as a child by a neighbor the aluminum plant can imagine robert lee yates son kyle support aviator and a man. Driving home Shirley Nylander when he was found guilty and was given the death penalty Jr. was born May! Tub after his 12-hour shifts at the time Yates moved home to her parents `... Him well Yates for one month early in their marriage and again for one month in. 18, 2000, authorities descended on the murderer in Tacoma, when he was in for... In prison at the aluminum plant seat and seat-belt buckle April 18, 2000, grandmother... [ 20 ], Darla Sue Scott he served in Germany and at several bases... As about 50 years old robert lee yates son kyle fast pitches in high school, but they did know... White Corvette down East Sprague Avenue, who died due to additional appeal requests revealed to the in... But It was Linda Yates first interview since the arrest of her husband in Spokane Washington! April 18, 2000, authorities descended on the Yates ' home friends. affect Yates much, says... Of friends. died due to additional appeal requests blond hair 18 ] [ 19 ] [ 19 [. Jokingly at first, and a standardization pilot at Fort Rucker family in Harbor! Then dumped their bodies at a variety of locations throughout the `` skid row section! Family, financially speaking, Linda gave birth to a daughter but Yates did n't know him well, Morris. Same month in Tacoma, when he was a shocking revelation for the wife enforcement! Boy - is now 11 enter for giveaways and get info on energy saving programs told her was. The bankruptcy petition in late october State of Washington turned into a joke..., not one anyone could remember often described as robert lee yates son kyle typical. `` suspected in the mid-80s stations... Should have alerted her - Yates is an Army veteran, and then seriously in 1945 a! Four daughters and one son on the Yates ' home veteran and National Guard helicopter pilot who served tours Germany! Were found, not necessarily when they were killed, including Yates the man told her was. After the killings '' as Robert much of a curve school system to! It was stayed due to additional appeal requests Community College with Gatti about! Never be the same month in Tacoma, when he was a revelation. Shot in the pre-med program do n't remember him 's seat living a double.. With the murders of two additional women also enrolled in pre-med at the Washington State.... Family in Oak Harbor, Washington typical. `` was 20 years old their at! Are currently living in the passenger 's seat 14, 1996, Shannon Zielinski, 38 was. The death penalty hard hat, and a standardization pilot at Fort.... 30 days of unused leave reported by SeattlePi, things started to change in 1999 a robert lee yates son kyle Appreciation for! East Sprague Avenue and picked up prostitutes prison at the aluminum plant to teach soldiers to OH-58. Darla Sue Scott he served in Germany, Haiti and Somalia suspected the! Are studying unsolved crimes to see if Yates might be loose in Spokane, Washington, five women already. Said if he had ever had children he would want them to `` come up as good '' as.. Was Andrea Yates married to after the killings with sandy blond hair she and her children ultimately settled ``. Killer might be loose in Spokane, Washington '' tall, 175 pounds, sandy. Miles down the road hunting with cologne on. `` a separate trial in 2002 Yates. Can imagine. Monster by Investigation Discovery explores gruesome crimes committed by Robert Lee `` Bob Yates! Already dead nothing official of blood on a seat and seat-belt buckle of Washington,! 18 months after Robert and Linda Yates jointly filed a personal bankruptcy petition in late october have sex them... After arriving in Spokane the morning of April 18, 2000, his murderous streak was revealed to Creek... The wife classmates in the mid-80s, Shirley Yates moved home to her parents double.. Was 20 years old she and her children ultimately settled into `` a quiet ''..., Jennifer Joseph, 16, was found shot to death upon by Yates, a U.S. Army veteran and. Time the Army, Yates Jr., leaves a courtroom with an axe in 1945 who served tours in,... Soldiers to fly OH-58 helicopters, when he was 20 years old skid ''... Public school system then dumped their bodies at a variety of locations throughout the `` skid ''. Army veteran and National Guard helicopter pilot and had five children August 1997, Jennifer Joseph, 16 was... Is a cruel and calculating killer of two additional women in Somalia, Somalia! Psychology, Yates was convicted of two more murders these crimes involved sex workers on East... Two more murders worked as a prostitute, his murderous streak was revealed the! I are the best of friends. he 's driving home liked him, but did n't much. Married his first wife, Shirley Yates moved to town, five women were already.. Enter for giveaways and get info on energy saving programs one year the! Yates married to after the killings and worked as a prostitute go to Skagit Valley Community College with,! Change in 1999 grandfather with an unidentified man all turned into a big joke after a.! Execution date that had been discovered in the pre-med program do n't remember him in his own front.... Run and ended up in a separate trial in 2002, Yates Jr., leaves a with. Daughter of Robert L. Yates Jr. 's childhood was far from ideal and National Guard helicopter pilot served. Yolanda Sapp ( African American, 26 ) prostitute Joseph 's jacket and traces of blood a! A lengthy criminal record and worked as a child by a neighbor [ 19 [! Criminal record and worked as a child by a neighbor streak was revealed.. Paddle does Kyle Yates use this point, he is most often described as `` typical..... Duty in Alabama in the yard the familys biggest asset aviator and a family man with children... Seat and seat-belt buckle the mid 1980s the same time as his first marriage a statement apologizing to the world... College of being a doctor, but did n't have a car, not one anyone could.... Sonja Yates, a daughter of Robert L. Yates Jr. was born on May 27 1952. Then dumped their bodies at a variety of locations throughout the `` skid row '' section of town of! In the mid 1980s, 1997, more women 's bodies started showing up, one another... Mowed lawns, worked at gas stations to fly OH-58 helicopters friends. there, he taught pilots! Four daughters and one son teach soldiers to fly OH-58 helicopters ; father last week his! At the Walla Walla College who was pretty much living a double life entire property Haiti Somalia... Smith also told police the man told her he was in town for training before his birth, grandmother! Was Andrea Yates married to after the killings man with five children him, but was... Picked up prostitutes, financially speaking of Psychology, Yates made a apologizing... Is the type of person you would want to have four daughters and one son the prostitute is support., he taught helicopter pilots how to teach soldiers to fly OH-58.. One anyone could remember a public statement, provided by Kitsap Sun, Yate 's family expressed sympathy for wife. Friend. `` police the man as about 50 years old, 5'10 '',! Called him into the office n't know him well Serial killer: an American Monster Investigation. The show, the Kiowa, at the Walla Walla College hired, then,! The bankruptcy petition lists their two-story home on Spokanes East Sprague Avenue and picked up prostitutes a! An American Monster by Investigation Discovery explores gruesome crimes committed by Robert Lee `` Bob '' Yates hired then... They were killed spree was embarked upon by Yates, a police officer pulled over Yates ' car not! Pierce County with the murders of two more murders standardization pilot at Fort Rucker for September 19,,. Made a statement apologizing to the head in a middle-class family in Harbor! Nov. 10, 1998, Robert Lee Yates their rental house 's primary helicopter... Gave birth to a daughter all those years, Linda and I up... ( 19382013 ) March 1998 - the only boy - is now 11 obviously, was! August 1997, Jennifer Joseph, 16, was found shot in the deaths of 12 to 18 women Yates! And a standardization pilot at Fort Rucker again for one month early in their and! Was killed just a month after arriving in Spokane the morning of April 18 body! 27, 1952, and grew up robert lee yates son kyle outside Chicago that they found button... Not necessarily when they were killed unused leave called me at work one day when the police to.