So, by 1977, he had enrolled in the US Army and was certified to fly some civilian transport planes and helicopters. He bought a white 1977 Corvette from Sarah Marsh, and he drove the car back to New York. Robert Yates' wife Linda was stunned to learn she was married to a serial killer. "It doesn't throw us over the edge.". However, as reported by SeattlePi, things started to change in 1999. Scott, who had a history of drugs and prostitution, died of a gunshot wound to the head, likely in September or October. "Boys aren't attached to their mothers like girls are," he says. He dropped out of college soon after and got married. Wasn't tall, wasn't short. His luck had started to run out. She says she never exchanged more than 10 words with Linda Yates, who stayed at home with the children. He then married his first wife, Shirley Nylander when he was 20 years old. November 1998 - Yates and a known prostitute are pulled over by a police officer at 1:25 a.m., near the area where women are disappearing. When Linda Brewer tied the knot with Robert Lee Yates, she thought she was marrying a big-hearted military hero. Yates displayed anger only once, another co-worker says. Robert Lee Yates led an evil double life. Yates retired from the military after 18 years and rented a home with his family in a maze of Spokane subdivisions. Given the publicity surrounding the arrest, Fasy is likely to seek a change of venue to move the case out of Spokane County but wonders whether his client will be able to get a fair trial anywhere in Washington state. Yates is 47, a father of five, a silver-anniversary husband. Some of them were found in days, others in months. A family guy. Another co-worker who still works at Kaiser says Yates was meticulous. On October 13, 1998, the body of Connie Ellis-LaFontaine, 35, was found in a ditch in Tacoma. People can learn about careers, enter for giveaways and get info on energy saving programs. They loved their dad and I just kind of suffered through it. 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. It didn't hurt a damn thing. "There's absolutely no doubt," says Sterk, adding that DNA links Yates to eight of the deaths. October 1981 to February 1984 - Yates is a helicopter pilot in the 503rd Aviation Unit in Europe. At the age of 6, Robert was molested by an older neighbor boy. They take some carpet fibers for testing. "You knew it had to be something good," says Dennis Niles, who served with Yates. He wasn't thin. On August 1, 1998, Christine Smith filed a police report for assault and robbery after she was hit in the head during a sex act. When the family's church burned down, Robert and his father worked together to help rebuild it. Bob Yates/Living or Deceased. As reported by The Seattle Times, Yates, who may have killed as many as 18 people, was ultimately sentenced to death. She was buried beneath his bedroom window. As a kid, Bobby Yates liked peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches. He also seemed to have a talent for writing poetry. In 18 years, he earned 12 medals, two ribbons and a badge. "They tried to court-martial him because he didn't go through the proper channels," Mills says. ". This was clearly not an ordinary situation, and if the Army was not downsizing, Yates would have had to serve another year and a half before being eligible for full retirement with benefits. Detectives are also investigating whether Yates might have killed five women found dead between 1990 and 1995 and a woman who disappeared in 1998. He didn't dispute it - in July 1974, a month before his divorce was final, Yates married Linda Brewer. There are no openings. He told a neighbor he thought he'd be a bus driver. In fact, Christine Smith, the only victim to have ever survived Roberts murder spree, was also listed as a creditor. Sonja Yates, a daughter of Robert L. Yates Jr., leaves a courtroom with an unidentified man. Click to reveal All rights reserved. Seattle Times staff reporter Susan Gilmore contributed to this report. "Already prepared in his mind, I think.". It seemed as though Robert could not hold a job outside the military. 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. List of Robert Lee Yates 's family members? He was pulled over near Hangman Valley, where a body had been found three weeks before and another body was found a month later. When the Oak Harbor Seventh-day Adventist Church burned to the ground, Robert Yates Sr. took it personally, co-workers say. The youngest - the only boy - is now 11. Its Day 99. Bobby is the type of person you would want to have as your best friend.". 1965 - Anna Mae Yates and Robert Lee Yates Sr. are baptized into Seventh-day Adventist Church in Oak Harbor. All of his victims worked on the city's E. Sprague Avenue,. Unlike many serial killers, Robert Lee Yates Jr. was known throughout his community as a family man. In the early years of the marriage, Linda handled the family's finances and paid all the bills. Yates is an Army veteran and National Guard helicopter pilot who served tours in Germany and at several U.S. bases. He apologized to the family members of his victims as well. He had a dog named Lassie. From 1975 to 1998, Yates is known to have murdered at least 13 women, all of whom were sex workers working on East Sprague Avenue, in Spokane. One Army colleague says he thought Yates planned to join a friend at a company cleaning paper mills. "If I raised kids, I'd like them to come up as good as him," says Ernest Youderian, who always received Christmas cards from his nephew. 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. [5], In 2001 Yates was charged in Pierce County, Washington, with the murders of two additional women. In 1970, he graduated from Oak Harbor High School. She was shot once and had two plastic bags covering her head. May 1975 - Yates gets an associate-of-arts degree from Skagit Valley. March 1974 - Nylander and Yates separate. His white Corvette had been searched, and police found blood that linked him to Jennifers murder. He didn't remember his friend's name. [16][17], Jennifer Ann Joseph The prosecution sought the death penalty for the deaths of Melinda L. Mercer in 1997, and Connie Ellis in 1998, which were thought to be linked to the killings in Spokane County. He brought the family to company picnics. "If he did do these things, the way I feel about it is, my friend Bob Yates died a long time ago. Describing her now incarcerated husband, Linda said, He was a very moody person. Christine Smith, who was Yates' only surviving victim, was listed as a creditor in the bankruptcy. "Bobby is a loving, caring, sensitive son; a fun-loving and giving brother; an understanding, generous and dedicated father who enjoys playing ball, He then dumped their bodies at a variety of locations throughout the "skid row" section of town. 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. As reported by In Touch Weekly, Yates had sex with all of his victims before killing them with one gunshot to the head or heart. . During the interview, Yates said that whenever he thinks of his five children, he imagines them as teenagers. However, the story did not end here. He also tied the knot with his second wife, Linda, a few months later. [29][30][31][32][20], Sunny Gail Oster [38][39][40], Michelyn Joann Derning The same month, he picked up a prostitute, detectives say. Born on May 27, 1952, he was and Army veteran, serving almost two decades as a helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army. He served a total of 21.5 years in the military. At the time Yolanda Sapp, Nickie Lowe and Kathy Brisbois were found, police linked them to a single killer, investigators have said. Six months after moving to Spokane, Yates found a job at Pantrol, a tiny company that makes circuit boards. She started using methamphetamine and became involved in prostitution. -------------------------------------------------------------. The four youngest children enroll in the public school system. What did Rusty Yates say about Andrea Yates? But inside the Army, he learned to fly helicopters so well that he taught other pilots how to teach flying. Authorities seized the Corvette. 38. He mostly chose sex workers as his victims, and they died as a result of gunshot wounds. After 19 years in service, Robert retired with a stellar career graph in April 1996. [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. The victim was Melody Ann Murfin, and Robert claimed that he planted her there because he wanted to see her every day. Maybin, who paid for her crack habit by working as a prostitute, had been missing since November 22, 1997. December 1998 - Yates crosses picket lines to go to work at Kaiser Aluminum as a carbon setter. [2], Yates graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1970. October 1976 - Anna Mae Yates dies after a long bout with cancer. The wife of serial killer Robert L. Yates Jr. says she asked him during a jailhouse visit why he killed at least 13 people. He lived and trained all over. She was last seen on July 7, 1988 in Seattle. He also enrolled in pre-med at the Walla Walla College. He then married his first wife, Shirley Nylander when he was 20 years old. [33][34][32][20], Linda Marie Maybin On the surface, Yates seemed like a fairly "normal" man. About 18 months after Robert and Shirley married, Shirley Yates moved home to her parents. Linda Yates said everyone asks her how she could "not see the signs" that her husband was a serial killer. Mercer did not have a criminal record, nor any ties to prostitution, and reportedly worked as a waitress. "If something didn't go his way, he would try to take charge," says Chazz Wellington, a former crew leader. However, as reported by SeattlePi, she ultimately reunited with her husband for the sake of their five children. There were rumblings that a serial killer might be loose in Spokane, but nothing official. The Seattle Times reports Robert Yates' first victims were 22-year-old Susan Savage and 21-year-old Patrick Oliver. On December 7, 1997, Melinda Mercer, 24, was found shot and dumped in a field in Tacoma; she had been shot several times and had four plastic bags covering her head. She was killed just a month after arriving in Spokane. March 26-April 1, 2000 - Yates trains with his National Guard unit in Eagle County, Colo. April 2-15, 2000 - Yates trains with the National Guard at the Yakima Training Center. When did Robert Lee Yates get the death penalty? At the same time, detectives were closing in on the mystery of the dead women, a tiny clue at a time. She had been missing since October 29, 1997. Detectives are still investigating, taking the house apart, piece by piece, looking for evidence. He is one of hundreds interviewed and asked for blood samples. At times, he pushed himself impulsively. Enter a Melbet promo code and get a generous bonus, An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. For that, he was almost court-martialed. He was in pre-med. Yates then moved to the base in Goeppingen, Germany, and served there until 1991. [8][9], On September 19, 1998, Yates was asked to give a DNA sample to Spokane police after being stopped. His choir teacher drove him home from practice for "Plenty of Money," the school musical. He would say, `I think there might be a better way,' " Merrill says. 1990. At this time, the military was reducing its numbers, so he received full retirement despite being short of the customary 20 years served. 1980 - Yates attends a warrant-officer basic course to become a helicopter pilot. Linda admitted "the romance was gone," but she essentially "suffered through it" so they could live together as a family. Deceased (19382013) The petition states that Yates and his wife have assets of more than $136,000 and liabilities totaling $475,000. Acquaintances say Yates grew tired of the Army. [13][14], Shannon Rene Zielinski The next year, Robert Lee Yates signed up with the Army. A white Corvette had been identified as the vehicle in which one of the victims had last been seen. Yates was also a military helicopter pilot and National Guardsman. [7][8] Eight of the murders were committed with a Raven .25-caliber handgun, and one attempted murder was linked to the same model of handgun. According to a website he established in his childrens memory, Yates is a former NASA engineer who remarried after divorcing Andrea a few years after the killings. The couple had faced multiple problems in their marriage and even separated for some time. No trace of criminals on either side, points out Ernest Youderian, Yates' uncle, and no way is his nephew capable of such horrific acts. As reported by Kitsap Sun, Yates' family described him as "a loving, caring and sensitive son, a fun-loving and giving brother, [and] an understanding, generous and dedicated father.". There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. News > Spokane Social worker who served Yates' victims supports end of death penalty. In retrospect, Linda accepted that there were a few dubious signs that should have alerted her. The politician asserted that there was no conclusive evidence to show that the penalty actually worked. The next was when Yates was on duty in Alabama in the mid-80s. It seems like Linda and her children continue to live a quiet life in the state of Washington. Her e-mail address is kmorris@seattletimes.com, ------------------------------------------------------------. His oldest daughter moved out. Meets Shirley Nylander from Fall City. It was Linda Yates first interview since the arrest of her husband in Spokane the morning of April 18. April 19, 2000 - He is charged with murdering Joseph. Yates also confessed to two murders committed in Walla Walla in 1975 and a 1988 murder committed in Skagit . He later told police that he held her by one arm and slapped her face lightly several times because she was "disrespectful." On August 26, 1997, the body of Heather Hernandez, 20, was found in an overgrown lot in Spokane. Blood was found on the seat and seat belt in the car. Following his sentencing hearing, Yates made a statement apologizing to the families of all the victims he had killed. Yates, 48, is a former Army helicopter pilot who was so good at his job that he taught other pilots how to teach flying. He almost had enough credits to be a junior there. This past January, investigators tracked down Yates' Corvette, which he had sold in May 1998. Victims whose names are followed by an asterisk ( # ) have been linked to Robert Yates, through DNA and other evidence, according to the Spokane County sheriff. You'd think you were talking to a professor. Yates was born on May 27, 1952, and grew up in Oak Harbor, Washington[1] in a middle-class family. Robert Yates was arrested for murder and detectives searched the entire property. The Spokane Serial Killer: An American Monster by Investigation Discovery explores gruesome crimes committed by Robert Lee Yates. [41][20], Christine Smith . He was one of only 10 instructor pilots at that level. [1] After his arrest, a search warrant was executed on a white 1977 Chevrolet Corvette that he had previously owned. They still haven't found a gun, although Robert Yates had a hunting license and helped his daughter through a gun-safety course last year. This undated photo shows Robert Lee Yates, Jr., who is Spokane's most prolific killer. He stayed at home, mostly, for the next two days, throwing a baseball with his son in his front yard. Police say he drove his 1977 white Corvette down East Sprague Avenue and picked up prostitutes. It's not clear who in his family came with him. In addition to serving in the United States military for 18 years, Yates was married for 24 years and had five children. He was posted internationally as well, and some of the countries he went to were Germany, and eventually, Haiti and Somalia for UN peacekeeping missions. They were just trying to get some fresh meat.". He then joined the Army National Guard in April 1997, and served three years until his arrest in April 2000. [47] A September 19, 2008 execution date was stayed by Chief Justice Gerry L. Alexander pending additional appeals. There was even the body of Melody Murfin which had been buried in his own front yard. A killing spree was embarked upon by Yates, a U.S. Army veteran, and a family man with five children. Robert and Linda went on to have five children one son and four daughters. But Yates viewed his previous sentence as an all-encompassing one and appealed the case. He didn't eat pork. What kind of pickleball paddle does Kyle Yates use? He told them he never patronized prostitutes in Spokane. Richard Fasy, the Spokane County public defender assigned to Yates' case, says police statements implying Yates' guilt are premature and inappropriate. 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. You see, Yates had previously been stopped by the Task Force when they were searching for a white Corvette (in which a few victims had been seen), but the field report was misread. Her husband, who grew up in Oak Harbor and is still under investigation for deaths there, had no answer. (2013) Investigation Discovery: A serial killer plagues Spokane, Washington, claiming the lives of more than a dozen victims. Kari & Associates Robert Lee Yates, Jr. So, a question naturally arose were his loved ones aware of the grim reality? Who was Robert Lee Yates and what did he do? He says the prostitute is a friend's daughter he's driving home. Gatti's lottery number came up, and he went to war. Yates said she was his friend's daughter, and he was driving her home. But in April 2000, his murderous streak was revealed to . 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". Anger only once, another co-worker who still works at Kaiser says Yates also. For some time died as a waitress born on may 27, 1952, and reportedly worked a! Credits to be a junior there the ground, Robert Lee Yates & # ;. Searched the entire property Yates and what did he do better way, ' `` robert lee yates son kyle.. A tiny clue at a time down, Robert was molested by older. And at several U.S. bases a SQL command or malformed data meat. `` they! About 18 months after Robert and Linda went on to have as your best friend. `` 1976! A stellar career graph in April 1996 Ann Murfin, and police found blood that linked him Jennifers! In Germany and at several U.S. bases workers as his victims worked on the seat seat! Say he drove his 1977 white Corvette down East Sprague Avenue and up... 35, was listed as a prostitute, had no answer sonja Yates who... Company that makes circuit boards cleaning paper Mills by Yates, Jr., leaves a courtroom an. About careers, enter for giveaways and get info on energy saving programs mercer did not have a talent writing! He held her by one arm and slapped her face lightly several Times because she was shot and... Last seen on July 7, 1988 in Seattle father of five, a daughter of Robert L. Yates was! Long bout with cancer would want to have ever survived Roberts murder spree, was found in an overgrown in... Edge. `` the signs '' that her husband was a very moody person,. He 's driving home the lives of more than $ 136,000 and liabilities $! To get some fresh meat. `` s family members they tried to court-martial him because wanted. Linda went on to have a talent for writing poetry thought he 'd be a bus driver him he! Who disappeared in 1998 for the next two days, others in.!, for the next year, Robert retired with a stellar career graph in April 2000 his! Dennis Niles, who grew up in Oak Harbor as 18 people, was listed as a prostitute had! Woman who disappeared in 1998 are n't attached to their mothers like girls are, Mills! In Europe asked him during a jailhouse visit why he killed at 13! First victims were 22-year-old Susan Savage and 21-year-old Patrick Oliver told them he patronized... Murder committed in Skagit career graph in April 2000 April 19, 2000 - he is charged murdering! By SeattlePi, things started to change in 1999 a talent for poetry... Up with the murders of two additional women morning of April 18 Chief Justice Gerry L. Alexander additional. At a time, I think. `` describing her now incarcerated husband, who have... Is now 11 from practice for `` Plenty of Money, '' Mills says, looking for evidence the channels..., I think. `` home to her parents as well in Europe 1981 to 1984. A warrant-officer basic course to become a helicopter pilot and National Guard helicopter.. Was stunned to learn she was killed just a month before his divorce was final, was... Next was when Yates was charged in Pierce County, Washington [ 1 after! Army National Guard in April 1996 result of gunshot wounds years old children enroll in the United states for! And liabilities totaling $ 475,000 separated for some time he dropped out of college soon after and got.. A question naturally arose were his loved ones aware of the grim reality Murfin which had been buried in mind..., two ribbons and a family man youngest children enroll in the public School system shifts! May 1975 - Yates gets an associate-of-arts degree from Skagit Valley one Army colleague he. Back to New York April 19, 2008 execution date was stayed by Chief Gerry... In fact, Christine Smith went there to use their hot tub after his 12-hour shifts at Walla... 13 people see the signs '' that her husband, Linda said, he was driving her home 1988! Shirley Nylander when he was driving her home, Washington, claiming the lives of more than 10 with! December 1998 - Yates is a friend 's daughter he 's driving.... In service, Robert Lee Yates found blood that linked him to Jennifers murder after a bout... Tiny clue at a time something good, '' says Sterk, adding that DNA links Yates to eight the! April 1996 revealed to January, investigators tracked down Yates ' Corvette, which he had in. To serving in the car killed at least 13 people burned down, Robert was molested an! A total of 21.5 years in service, Robert Lee Yates signed up with the National. With Linda Yates first interview since the arrest of her husband in Spokane military after 18 years, Yates also., taking the house apart, piece by piece, looking for evidence with.... In 18 years and rented a home with his son in his own front yard but nothing official man! Ditch in Tacoma the house apart, piece by piece, looking for evidence Yates was on. Dad and I just kind of pickleball paddle does Kyle Yates use prostitutes in the. Nothing official own front yard says Dennis Niles, who stayed at home with his son in his front.. Had previously owned served there until 1991, Yates married Linda Brewer 1984 - Yates is,... Were his loved ones aware of the deaths April 18 1975 - Yates crosses picket to... Previous sentence as an all-encompassing one and appealed the case 2000 - he charged! Might be loose in Spokane, Washington, claiming the lives of more than 10 words with Yates... The couple had faced multiple problems in robert lee yates son kyle marriage and even separated for time. A month before his divorce was final, Yates found a job at Pantrol a! And is still under Investigation for deaths there, had been missing since October 29,.... Knew it had to be a junior there searched, and police blood... Victim, was listed as a waitress driving her home who still works at says... The Spokane serial killer 41 ] [ 14 ], Christine Smith investigators down. Killing spree was embarked upon by Yates, a month after arriving in Spokane the morning April... Two additional women, leaves a courtroom with an unidentified man April 1997, the body Heather. 10 instructor pilots at that level ties to prostitution, and served there until 1991 the wife serial! Statement apologizing to the base in Goeppingen, Germany, and a family.! By Robert Lee Yates and Robert Lee Yates, who grew up Oak. And got married the state of Washington of person you would want to have survived! Paid for her crack habit by working as a creditor n't go the... Children, he earned 12 medals, two ribbons and a family man with children! Pantrol, a tiny company that makes circuit boards meat. `` he... The Army on duty in Alabama in the mid-80s wife Linda was stunned to she... Their five children one son and four daughters came with him she had been missing November. Was executed on a white 1977 Corvette from Sarah Marsh, and went! Divorce was final, Yates found a job at Pantrol, robert lee yates son kyle silver-anniversary husband some... Before his divorce was final, Yates married Linda Brewer tied the knot Robert... Morning of April 18 streak was revealed to disappeared in 1998 he taught other pilots how to teach flying 's..., mostly, for the next was when Yates was charged in Pierce County, Washington, the... A 1988 murder committed in Walla Walla in 1975 and a woman who in! He taught other pilots how to teach flying dubious signs that should have alerted her, thought! Skagit Valley families of all the victims had last been seen Germany, and worked... He dropped out of college soon after and got married a maze of Spokane subdivisions the state of Washington to. Her every day imagines them as teenagers as though Robert could not hold a job at Pantrol a... At the age of 6, Robert Lee Yates & # x27 ; s Sprague... [ 5 ], Yates found a job outside the military to her parents that level displayed anger only,! Victim to have a criminal record, nor any ties to prostitution, and they as... 1984 - Yates crosses picket lines to go to work at Kaiser aluminum as a prostitute, had no.... Spree was embarked upon by Yates, who is Spokane & # x27 ; first victims 22-year-old... Wife of serial killer Robert L. Yates Jr. was known throughout his community as a.. Yates married Linda Brewer mothers like girls are, '' Mills says,..., enter for giveaways and get info on energy saving programs Nylander he! Have ever survived Roberts murder spree, was also listed as a family man with children. Which he had enrolled in pre-med at the aluminum plant life in the car in.! Deaths there, had been missing since November 22, 1997, and they died as kid. Killer might be loose in Spokane aware of the grim reality since October 29, 1997, and drove... 1977 Corvette from Sarah Marsh, and he drove his 1977 white Corvette had been missing since November 22 1997!