Richard Benjamin Speck was born in 1941 in Kirkwood, Illinois, as the seventh of eight children. His childhood was plagued by instability. After his father died in 1947, his mother married Carl Lindberg, a heavy drinker with a criminal past. This chaotic environment left a lasting impact on young Speck.
Troubled Youth and Early Crimes
Speck’s troubled behavior began early.
- By age 12, he was drinking heavily.
- At 13, he was arrested for trespassing.
- By 15, he was intoxicated nearly every day.
After dropping out of school in eighth grade, he worked briefly at the Seven-Up Bottling Company in Dallas. However, he couldn’t stay out of trouble, accumulating a series of misdemeanors.
Personal Life: Violence and Crime
In 1961, Speck met 15-year-old Shirley Malone at the Texas State Fair. Their relationship was abusive and chaotic.
- Speck’s violent tendencies worsened after their daughter was born.
- His criminal acts, including forgery and burglary, landed him in prison.
Shirley eventually filed for divorce and fled with their child, fearing for their safety.
Escalating Criminal Activities
Speck’s crimes grew more violent over time:
- Threatening a man with a knife.
- Robbing a grocery store.
- Assaulting a 65-year-old woman.
These acts foreshadowed the unimaginable horror to come.
The Night of July 14, 1966: A Massacre of Innocence
On a summer night, Speck broke into a townhouse at 2319 East 100th Street in Chicago. The house was home to eight young student nurses, a mix of Filipino and American women.
The Unfolding Nightmare
Speck entered the house around 11:00 p.m., initially appearing to be a burglar. His actions soon turned deadly. He systematically terrorized and killed eight women:
- Corazon Amor
- Melita Gargullo
- Valentina Pasion
- Patricia Matusek
- Pamela Wilkening
- Nina Schil
- Gloria Davy
- Suzanne Farris
The Sole Survivor: Corazon Amor
In an extraordinary act of courage, Corazon Amor survived by hiding under a bed. She later escaped and alerted the authorities. Her detailed description of Speck led to his capture.
Capture and Trial
Speck’s distinctive tattoo, spotted by a doctor at Cook County Hospital, led to his arrest. His trial began in April 1967. It took the jury just 49 minutes to convict him of all eight murders.
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Twists in Sentencing
Originally sentenced to death, Speck’s punishment was overturned in 1971 due to jury selection issues. When the Supreme Court declared the death penalty unconstitutional, his sentence was reduced to 400-1200 years in prison.
Infamy and Aftermath
Speck spent his life in the Statesville Correctional Center. A disturbing 1988 video revealed him living a bizarre life behind bars, showing no remorse for his crimes.
Corazon Amor: A Life of Resilience
After surviving the massacre, Corazon returned to the Philippines, married, and started a family. Later, she moved back to the U.S., resuming her medical career. She retired at age 68, embodying strength and perseverance.
