When we think of serial killers, certain images typically come to mind. Perhaps we envision a Jeffrey Dahmer-type character – a quietly savage, misfit loner who operates under society’s radar. Or maybe Ted Bundy serves as our archetype – a ruthless charmer who leaves mutilated bodies as his calling card. However, our collective understanding often overlooks a particular category: married couples who commit serial murders together.
The Phenomenon of Killer Couples
Although couple-based serial murders haven’t been common enough to entrench themselves in the public psyche, they have occurred with surprising regularity over the past several decades. Notable examples include:
- Paul and Karla Bernardo, a Canadian couple who committed their crimes in the early 1990s
- Fred and Rosemary West, whose shocking case emerged from Gloucester, England
- Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, who targeted children in England
- Doug Clark and Carol Bundy, known as the Sunset Strip Killers
The Gallegos: A California Horror Story
Among these criminal partnerships, Gerald and Charlene Gallego stand out for their string of murders in Sacramento, California during the late 1970s. The couple kidnapped and killed ten people, with most of their victims being teenage girls captured through carefully planned schemes.
Gerald Gallego: A Criminal Legacy
Born in 1946, Gerald Gallego’s criminal heritage ran deep. His father, whom he never met, served time in San Quentin and eventually became the first man executed in Mississippi’s gas chamber. His mother, Lorraine, worked as a prostitute in Sacramento’s skid row, where young Gerald served as a runner for various pimps during the 1950s.
A Pattern of Trouble
By the time he met Charlene in 1977, Gerald had:
- Accumulated at least 23 arrests
- Served time in multiple correctional facilities
- Been married and divorced five times
Charlene Williams: From Promise to Partnership
Born in 1956, Charlene Williams grew up in an upper-middle-class area of Sacramento. Despite her advantages, including:
- A high IQ of 160
- Considerable musical talent
- A stable family background
She eventually descended into a troubled lifestyle marked by alcohol, drugs, and failed relationships.
The Fatal Partnership
Gerald and Charlene met in September 1977 at a Sacramento poker bar. Their relationship quickly intensified, with Gerald establishing immediate control over Charlene’s life, including her finances and personal choices.
The First Victims
Their killing spree began on September 11, 1978, when they abducted two teenagers, Rhonda Scheffler (17) and Kippi Vaught (16), from a Sacramento shopping center. This established their pattern of using Charlene to lure victims into their van.
The Escalation of Violence
Over the next two years, the couple continued their crimes, claiming multiple victims including:
- Brenda Judd (14) and Sandra Colley (13) from the Washoe County Fair
- Stacey Redican and Karen Twiggs, both 17
- Linda Aguilar, age 21
- Virginia Mochel, a bartender
The Final Crimes and Capture
Their final victims were Craig Miller and Mary Elizabeth Sowers, whose murders led to the couple’s undoing. A witness recognized Gerald and recorded their car’s license plate number, leading investigators to close in on the couple.
Justice and Aftermath
- Charlene negotiated a plea deal for testimony against Gerald
- Gerald received death sentences in both California and Nevada
- The case revealed the complexity of criminal partnerships
Gerald Gallego died of cancer in 2002 at age 56 in a Nevada prison medical center. Charlene was released in 1997 after serving 16 years and 8 months, leaving California to start a new life elsewhere.
