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David Allen Rundle

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For the South African cricketer, see David Rundle.
David Allen Rundle
Mugshot
Born (1965-01-04) January 4, 1965 (age 59)
Nevada County, California, U.S.
Conviction(s)First degree murder with special circumstances (3 counts)
Criminal penaltyDeath
Details
Victims3
Span of crimes
May – October 1986
CountryUnited States
State(s)California
Date apprehended
November 20, 1986
Imprisoned atSan Quentin State Prison

David Allen Rundle (born January 4, 1965) is an American serial killer who raped and murdered two women and a teenage girl in Northern California between May and October 1986. After being identified as a suspect in the killings, Rundle fled to Nevada, where he would be arrested. He was convicted and sentenced to death for two of the murders and received an additional life sentence for the other.[1]

Early life

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David Allen Rundle was born in Nevada County on January 4, 1965, the son of chief warrant officer for the United States Navy David William Rundle.[2] His family moved to live in Idaho shortly after he was born, and until he fell into a drug addiction at age 14, Rundle was described as a normal child who enjoyed hunting and fishing.[2] His mother also sexually abused him during his latter teen years.[3] His parents later moved to Georgia, where he attended high school, but dropped out not long after. The family then moved to Colfax, California, where Rundle would leave his family.[4] In 1984, Rundle got married, but once his wife fell pregnant he abandoned her.[4] Shortly after, he obtained work as a floor installer.[5]

Murders

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In May 1986 Rundle, high on marijuana, was prowling around the Sacramento River near an area that had a high population of vagrants. There, he convinced 21-year-old Elizabeth Latorre Lactawen to have sex, and when the two entered a secluded area behind nearby bushes, Rundle strangled Lactawen to death and disposed her body beneath the Pioneer Bridge in Sacramento, where it was found on May 10 by an unidentified person who called into the Secret Witness Program.[6][7]

In the investigation following her death, a witness to the murder gave a description of the killer and described him as a male, around 17 years old, was about 5ft 10inch.[7] A reward of $2,500 was announced to anyone who could identify the killer.[7] On September 7, having voyaged to Colfax, Rundle abducted 18-year-old Carolyn Marie Garcia from a bus stop as she waited for a bus to drive her to the city of Roseville.[6] He drove her to a remote area near Rollins Lake Road where he partially stripped her of her clothes, raped, beat and strangled her to death.[8]

Rundle killed his youngest and final victim on October 7, when he abducted 15-year-old LanciAnne Sorensen. He forced her to take her pants off, which he then used to bind her hands behind her back, and then raped and strangled her to death.[9] He left her body along an Interstate 80 off ramp in Loomis.[10]

Arrest

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Garcia's bloody clothing was discovered just off of Interstate 80 in Weimer in early September, but her body remained missing.[11] On September 11, as police were scouring Rollins Lake Road searching for clues in Garcia's disappearance, Rundle accidentally rammed his vehicle into the back of a police car, damaging his car but successfully driving away.[12] Police were subsequently able to identify him as the driver and Rundle fled to Carson City, Nevada. There, on November 20, he was arrested and returned to California.[13] A few days after his arrest, Rundle confessed Garcia's murder and informed detectives that her body was located near Rollings Lake, where police were able to recover it.[5] In addition, he confessed to killing Lactowen and Sorensen.[14] In an interview with detectives, Rundle claimed he was a sick individual and blamed his actions on mental illness and abuse he received as a child, which only got worse with drug and alcohol addiction.[15]

Trial and imprisonment

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On April 16, 1987, Rundle was attacked in his sleep by his cellmate Melton Eugene Voight, who was awaiting trial for armed robbery. Rundle was hospitalized for ten days for a skull fracture, while Voight was moved to Folsom State Prison for his violent outburst.[16][17]

Rundle was sentenced to death in 1989 for the murders of Garcia and Sorensen. As the sentence was being handed down multiple jurors were reported crying.[1] He was also given a life sentence for the murder of Lactawen.[6] He is currently incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Marjie Lambert (September 22, 1989). "Jurors weep as killer given death sentence". The Sacramento Bee. p. 20. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Bill Wilson (November 28, 1986). "Parents lost their son long before he was jailed in slayings". The Press-Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  3. ^ Marjie Lambert (September 22, 1989). "Jurors weep as killer given death sentence". The Sacramento Bee. p. 3. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Bill Wilson (November 28, 1986). "Parents lost their son long before he was jailed in slayings". The Press-Tribune. p. 5. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Payton, Ken (November 22, 1986). Suspect's tip leads to dead teen. The Sacramento Bee.
  6. ^ a b c "Life term given for third killing". The Sacramento Bee. December 21, 1989. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c "Young woman's killer, robber who takes cash registers added to list". The Sacramento Bee. May 15, 1986. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  8. ^ Tom Dresslar (November 23, 1986). "Another body found, suspect confesses". Auburn Journal. p. 1. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  9. ^ "Suspect in Placer County rape-slayings held for trial". The Sacramento Bee. March 25, 1987. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  10. ^ John Trumbo (November 24, 1986). "Rundle accused of slaying Sorensen". Auburn Journal. p. 1. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  11. ^ "Sheriff Nunes: Missing teen probably slain". Auburn Journal. September 12, 1986. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  12. ^ John Trumbo (November 25, 1986). "Rundle faces arraignment, victim named". Auburn Journal. p. 1. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  13. ^ John Trumbo (November 21, 1986). "Suspect arrested in Garcia slaying". Auburn Journal. p. 1. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  14. ^ John Trumbo (November 25, 1986). "Rundle faces arraignment, victim named". Auburn Journal. p. 10. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  15. ^ Marjie Lambert (September 22, 1989). "Jurors weep as killer given death sentence". The Sacramento Bee. p. 22. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  16. ^ Rundle hit while asleep at jail. Colfax Record. April 21, 1987.
  17. ^ John Trumbo (April 30, 1987). "No charges filed in jail assault". Auburn Journal. p. 1. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
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