Without Pity: Ann Rule's Most Dangerous Killers (48 page)

Nick Kyreacos, 26, prepared for a mysterious meeting in a dark alley with walkie-talkies, a tape recorder, a knife, and a gun filled with blanks. It wasn’t enough.

This alley was dark as ink during a November storm. Nick Kyreacos crept along the building walls while someone watched him from a truck parked where the white car is pictured. Seattle police officers were stunned to learn who the shooter was.

Counterclockwise from upper left: Detective George Marberg, Detective Sergeant Bruce Edmonds, Lt. Patrick Murphy, and Detective Dick Reed and Detective Don Strunk. They solved a murder case, but this time they wished they were mistaken about the killer’s identity.

A former Seattle burglary detective walks to a trial where his testimony will keep an entire courtroom in suspense. Stan Tappan*, right, was playing an unfamiliar role.

Kitsap County Chief of Detectives Bill Clifton will never forget the most horrifying case of his long career. Not even an experienced detective could have predicted the identity of the killer of a perfect little family.

The New Year had barely begun when sheriff’s officers were summoned to a virtual house of horror. Lori Rennsler’s body lay across her bed; her small son’s body was nearby, and so was the body of their dachshund puppy. There was one more victim in a case of multiple murder that defied explanation.

Lori Rennsler was fully clothed in a red and white satin robe when detectives found her. The investigators didn’t know who could have destroyed her entire family in their picturesque waterfront home.

Snohomish County detective Joe Belinc worked tirelessly to track down the killer of Shannah and Renae Wicklund and Barbara Hendrickson. (Ann Rule)

Washington State patrolmen leading Charles Campbell to the awaiting squad car that would take him to Snohomish County Superior Court, where his 1989 death warrant was issued. (Drew Perine)