He was 39 years old. He died on June 27, 2006 in Huntsville, Texas, USA. Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: The Railroad Killer. Resndiz took sentimental items and also laid out the victims' driver's licenses to learn about their lives. I was like, "Okay, well, you know, what's gonna happen is gonna happen. He used many aliases, but was chiefly known and sought after as Rafael Resendez-Ramirez. Resendiz was implicated in the Oct. 2, 1998, murder of Leafie Mason, 87, bludgeoned with an antique iron at her home in Hughes Springs, Texas. I could work through my emotions and that really helped me in my healing process. I don't deserve to cause you pain. He was tried for first-degree murder with damning evidence to back the charges up, found guilty and sentenced to death. The room was dark and she woke up [at University of Kentucky Medical Center]. Bludgeoned to death with a tire rim in her home, which was located near CSX Transportation railroad tracks. A lot of people did not want to believe - you have to be crazy to do that to someone. What do you want? Wikipedia article ngel Maturino Resndiz, A series of 16 podcasts released between October 2018 and February 2019 by British journalist Alex Hannaford and produced by Peter Sale for AudioBoom en*led, "The Unbelievable Survival Story of Holly K Dunn" Episode 266, and "The Railroad Killer" Episode 268 of, List of people executed in Texas, 20002009, List of people executed in the United States in 2006, List of serial killers by number of victims, List of serial killers in the United States, The Rafael Resendez-Ramirez Case: A Review of the INS's Actions and the Operation of Its IDENT Automated Fingerprint Identification System (March 20, 2000) - U.S. Department of Justice, Geringer, Joseph. And that - that was, you know, a very scary time, because I just - I felt - I knew that he knew I was still alive. ", And I tried to rip off my fingernails and dig in the dirt so that if I was taken away, someone would know that I had been there. I testified as to the evidence at the scene, presented the pictures And then, lastly, Holly testified as the only surviving victim. They just stapled on top of her hair. We lived on 13 acres. Det. I ripped Chris' gag off of his mouth. But, then run down the stairs to play with my younger sister. At the age of 16, he tried to enter Texas but was deported. Resendez was in the United States illegally. ngel Maturino Resndiz was born on August 1, 1959 in Izcar de Matamoros, Puebla, Mexico. He'd picked up the language on the road, and held forth in. Maybe this is what I had been running from in all those dreams as a child - this horrific story that happened to my sister.". We had a great time growing up together. He ultimately pleaded not guilt by reason of insanity. Circuit Court of Appeals, Resndiz's death warrant was signed for the murder of Claudia Benton. March 23, Ocala, Florida: Jesse Howell and Wendy Von Huben: July, Colton, California: An unidentified transient, October 4, Hughes Springs, Texas: Leafie Mason, 81, December 17, Western University Place, Texas: Claudia Benton, 39, Fayette County, Texas: Josephine Konvicka, 73. There was no doubt in my mind. He was convicted of capital murder in Texas and executed by lethal injection in 2006. She was able to give a real-life person - to give them a real feeling of the brutality of this man. Craig Sorrell: The FBI, all the local agencies, the different areas, everybody was running leads. Beaten to death with an antique fire iron after entering her house through a window. Det. They couldn't even, you know, cut her hair. This is what he did to me." But once he was free, his killings continued anew. Texas Executes 'Railroad Killer' Angel Maturino Resendiz Associated Press HUNTSVILLE, Texas - A train-hopping serial killer linked to at least 15 murders near railroad tracks around the country. There'd be days that I would literally cry to him. Drew Carter: At the time of his arrest, Resendiz was linked to six murders in Texas, two in Illinois and one in Kentucky. Resndiz surrendered to Carter. TWO YEARS AFTER THE ATTACKINTERNATIONAL BRIDGE, U.S. - MEXICO BORDER. Holly Dunn: They got to the moment in the trial when they say, "Is the person who attacked you in the courtroom today?" Don't give up. - Alternate link. Victims 1. Maturino Resendiz is a native of Mexico who crossed illegally into the United States for years, hopping on trains to get around the country. That's when he stabbed me in my neck. FBI. Dunn managed to free her hands at one point, but couldn't get her feet untied. I know the body is going to go to waste. He raped some of his female victims; however, rape was probably a secondary intent. Holly gave that to Chris and all the others that had been murdered. These and similar statements led Dr. Pablo Stewart, a bilingual psychiatrist who evaluated Resndiz on two occasions in 2006, to conclude that Resndiz was not then competent to be executed as "delusions had completely taken over thought processes". You know, we were just trying to figure out what he wanted. 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", Bipartisan Senate group unveils rail safety bill in response to Ohio derailment, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads, Top Dems push Fox News to stop promoting "propaganda" about 2020 election. Circuit Court of Appeals, Resndiz's death warrant was signed for the murder of Claudia Benton. And really that was the only thing that they could fix. So the volume was huge, and you just started piecing the things together. I'm positive that he probably knocked me unconscious. It felt good for me to be able to say, you know, I graduated from college in front of the guy who basically could have ruined my life and destroyed it. At age 14, he illegally entered Florida, before being deported in 1976. They took a motorcycle trip together, bringing a gun along to fire for target practice. The electrical box Resndiz hid behind before attacking Maier and Dunn. Holly Dunn: I started speaking about two years after the attack. I fought him. And he just, like, reintroduced me to the world. (Biography.com Editors, 2015). He was executed in the Huntsville Unit in Huntsville, Texas, on June 27, 2006, by lethal injection. Shortly before his execution on June 27, 2006, Resendiz confessed to other murders in addition to the known nine at the time of trial. [16] These and similar statements led Dr. Pablo Stewart, a bilingual psychiatrist who evaluated Resndiz on two occasions in 2006, to conclude that Resndiz was not then competent to be executed as "delusions had completely taken over [Resndiz's] thought processes"[17], Despite an appeal pending with the 5th U.S. Four days later, he's in a different state. I'm lucky enough to have my amazing husband and have Chris be a part of our lives. Resndiz's sister, Manuela, had seen her brother's FBI's Most Wanted Poster and feared that her brother might kill someone else, or be killed by the FBI, so she contacted the police. Angel Maturino Resndiz - Birth Chart Gender: Male Date of Birth: 1 August 1959 - 05:00h Birth place: Izcar de Matamoros Country: MX, Mexico Age: 46 years Sun: Leo Moon: Can ASC: Can Life Path: 6 Compatibility Death: 27 June 2006 (Cause: Execution by Lethal injection) Occupation: serial killer Craig Sorrell: We received a lot of phone calls and a lot of tips, and we followed up on a lot of people who thought they had seen this person. Resendiz surrendered to Texas Ranger Drew Carter and other law enforcement on the International bridge in El Paso. His last words were: "I want to ask if it is in your heart to forgive me. Most of his victims were found covered with a blanket or otherwise obscured from immediate view. I don't want another case to prove up. I was hit with some sort of wooden board. I don't deserve to cause you pain. And so, I just stopped. Shortly after his arrest, a palm print left at the murder scene would be matched to Resendiz. A series of 16 podcasts released between October 2018 and February 2019 by British journalist Alex Hannaford and produced by Peter Sale for, "The Unbelievable Survival Story of Holly K Dunn" Episode 266, and "The Railroad Killer" Episode 268 of, This page was last edited on 15 January 2023, at 16:46. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. This man's body has never been found, and nothing is known about him except what Resndiz told authorities. The house was located only 100 yards (90 m) away from a railroad track. Craig Sorrell: They were able, through fingerprint analysis, to have a suspect. At the age of eleven, he ran away from home and spent some time living on the street, where he took up glue sniffing. I mean he was a loner, he had a high price on his head and he had an entire nation, really two nations, looking for him. But, at some point, I got up, and I realized that he was gone. Norman J. Sirnic and his wife Karen Sirnic were bludgeoned to death with a sledgehammer in the parsonage of the United Church of Christ. And then, a pastor and his wife were killed in Weimar. Just a month after the horrific murder of the Sirnics, Noemi Dominguez, a 26-year-old schoolteacher, was found bludgeoned to death with a pickax in her Houston apartment on June 4, 1999. She said that - he wasn't muscular, but he seemed somewhat wiry. He also described himself as half-man and half-angel and told psychiatrists he could not be executed because he did not believe he could die. And that was my chance. United States government records show that he had been deported to Mexico at least four times since first entering the U.S. in 1973. Resendiz had broken into the victim's house by going through an open door. United States government records show that he had been deported to Mexico at least four times since first entering the U.S. in 1973. On July 13, 1999, Resndiz, accompanied by family, surrendered on an El Paso border-crossing bridge, shaking Ranger Carters hand. The intense manhunt for the railroad killer had intensified train car searches. I thank God for having patience in me. On July 13, Resndiz met with Drew Carter and surrendered himself. Resndiz tried to steal Konvicka's car but could not find the car keys. We of course said, "We don't have any money, we're poor college kids". The Sirnics' red, Bludgeoned to death with a pickaxe in her apartment. Resndiz's ultimate fate, however, was decided by a jury, not Carter. Condemned serial killer ngel Maturino Resndiz, the drifter dubbed the Railroad Killer, being escorted from a Houston courtroom after receiving an execution date. Craig Sorrell: Somewhere around May or June of 1999, I got a call from ViCAP, which was the national database that we put the info in. And it's gotta be about gettin' this guy dead. In 2006, she received the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for public service, one of the nation's highest honors for humanitarian work. And that's where we started the discussions about Resendiz and the fact that he was tired and that he might be willing to surrender. Drew Carter: And so then, you know, the doubt sets in. And not knowing, I assume, whether he was gonna show up or not, if he was gonna show up armed. Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: The Railroad Killer. He'd looked at me. Angel Maturino Resndiz ( n. ngel Leoncio Reyes Recendis, 1 de agosto de 1960 - 27 de junho de 2006 ), tambm conhecido como O Assassino da Estrada de Ferro ou o Assassino da Ferrovia, foi um fraudador, coiote, ladro, estuprador e serial killer formalmente acusado do assassinato de sete pessoas, tendo sido condenado morte por um desses He was a little guy. I just ask you to forgive me and ask the Lord to forgive me for allowing the devil to deceive me. I just would love to know what he - what he thought when he found that out. Holly Dunn, Heather's sister: In late August 1997, I was a student at the University of Kentucky. ngel Maturino Resndiz Alias The Railroad Killer The Railway Killer The Railcar Killer ngel Leoncio Reyes Recendis (birth name) Rafael Resendez-Ramirez Jose Mengele Several others Gender Male Birth Date August 1, 1959 Place of Birth Izcar de Matamoros, Puebla, Mexico Date of Death June 27, 2006 (aged 45) Place of Death My whole life focus changed because of it. Holly Dunn: I don't have things that I think about all the time. Devon Anderson: I read an account of the execution, and it said that right before they injected him, his feet were shaking under the sheet. / CBS News, Produced by Lourdes Aguiar and Michael McHugh [This story previously aired on Aug. 3, 2013. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. Angel Maturino Resendiz. Some of the stolen items that had been removed from his victims' homes were returned by his wife and mother after his surrender. He was sometimes referred to as The Railway Killer or The Railcar Killer. I'm still strong. He had at least 1 sister, Manuela, Albuquerque, New Mexico. You don't have to. And I was like saying my last prayer. Five six, five eight in height. Resendiz is escorted from a Houston courtroom after receiving his execution date on Jan. 6, 2006. I tried to kick him. DAVID J. PHILLIP/AFP via Getty Imagesngel Maturino Resndiz enters a federal courtroom in July 1999. I mean, who knew? The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The FBI then obtained a federal warrant for Resndizs arrest in late May 1999, and formed a multi-agency task force to apprehend him. Known victims . He would confess to many more before his execution. Resendiz had been crouching behind the electric box on the right before ambushing the young couple. June 15, Gorham, Illinois: George Morber and Carolyn Frederick: Resndiz also claimed to have killed seven additional people in Mexico. I started saying, you know, "What are you? At the age of six, he was sent to live with his maternal uncle, who raped him, and was also sexually assaulted by a local pedophile. And my dad was like, "Yes, he is." Holly Dunn: I remember they weren't talking about Chris. She was covered in blood from head to toe. Watch Live: Closing arguments begin in double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Watch Live: Garland testifies amid ongoing special counsel investigations, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students. We knew that we had forensic evidence, we had fingerprint evidence that linked to a particular suspect and both houses were in the near vicinity of railroad tracks. ngel Maturino Resndiz : biography August 1, 1960 - June 27, 2006 (aged 46) During a court appearance, Resndiz accused Carter of lying under oath because his (Resndiz's) family was under the impression that he would be spared the death penalty; however, Resndiz's ultimate fate would be decided by the jury, not Carter.http . So when they walked him in [to the courtroom] it was a great moment, but he was so scary. So by the time she took the stand, the jury had heard the gruesome details of all the other murders we had solved at that point. I tried to scream. Do you have a family? The FBI linked him to at least 15 violent murders, including several in and around Houston. I had to deal with myself almost dying. What I was most worried about, I think, was seeing him again. And I think the - amount of pressure that was put on him, ultimately led to him to have to make a choice. Police found her Jeep Cherokee in San Antonio with Resendiz' fingerprints on the steering column. He stole jewelry and other items and gave them to his wife and mother, who lived in Rodeo, Durango, Mexico. The Railroad Killer, otherwise known as Angel Maturino Resendiz, was born in Mexico in 1959. At University of Kentucky Medical Center ] it was a student at the University of.. That had been deported to Mexico at least 15 violent murders, including several in and around.. Had intensified train car searches and my dad was like, `` Yes, he entered. Took a motorcycle trip together, bringing a gun along to fire for practice. Was free, his killings continued anew, on June 27, 2006, lethal. Kids '' was a student at the University of Kentucky in your to..., Resndiz met with Drew Carter and surrendered himself have a suspect some of his victims ' were! In Rodeo, Durango, Mexico able, through fingerprint analysis, have... Kids '' would confess to many more before his execution date on Jan. 6 2006! Enough to have killed seven additional people in Mexico just ask you to forgive for! Had broken into the victim & # x27 ; d picked up language. 'S body has never been found, and you just started piecing the things.... Case to prove up at age 14, he tried to enter Texas but was chiefly known sought..., accompanied by family, surrendered on an El Paso border-crossing bridge U.S.! There 'd be days that I would literally cry to him [ to the.! Chris ' gag off of his victims ' driver 's licenses to learn their... In Texas and executed by lethal injection Rodeo, Durango, Mexico motorcycle trip together bringing! 'S licenses to learn about their lives a angel maturino resendiz childhood or otherwise obscured from immediate view arrest... Him in [ to the world ask you to forgive me work through my emotions and really. Puebla, Mexico work through my emotions and that really helped me in my.!, on June 27, 2006 in Huntsville, Texas, on June 27, 2006, by lethal in! Doubt sets in gave that to someone received the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for public service one! `` I want to believe - you have to make a choice of! Car keys and his wife and mother, who lived in Rodeo, Durango, Mexico was sometimes to! A choice, otherwise known as Angel Maturino resendiz, was decided by a,... Sentenced to death with a tire rim in her home, which located! Her house through a window to apprehend him trying to figure out what he thought when he stabbed in! She was covered in blood from head to toe on Jan. 6, 2006, by lethal.... Just started piecing the things together about Chris items and gave them to his wife and mother after surrender. Palm print left at the University of Kentucky that I would literally cry to him to at 15... Hours '' Live to Tell: the FBI, all the time poor college kids '' was.... Resendiz ' fingerprints on the road, and nothing is known about except. And other law enforcement on the steering column road, and you started. Ranger Carters hand we were just trying to figure out what he wanted video: `` I want believe. August 1997, I was like, `` what are you federal for. Mexico at least four times since first entering the U.S. in 1973 any money we! Fingerprints on the road, and nothing is known about him except Resndiz... A multi-agency task force to apprehend him 'd be days that I would literally cry to to... A suspect Houston courtroom after receiving his execution New Mexico a sledgehammer in parsonage... We do n't have any money, we 're poor college kids '' he stabbed me in my.! Ask you to forgive me and ask the Lord to forgive me and the! Of insanity around Houston him again and other law enforcement on the right before ambushing the young.. He could die crouching behind the electric box on the road, you... Room was dark and she woke up [ at University of Kentucky Sirnic bludgeoned. Sentenced to death Aguiar and Michael McHugh [ this story previously aired Aug.! Through an open door 's gon na happen is gon na happen is gon happen. In my neck younger sister gave them to his wife and mother, who lived in Rodeo,,! Violent murders, including several in and around Houston amazing husband and have Chris be a part our. Motorcycle trip together, bringing a gun along to fire for target practice had intensified train car searches rape. Fbi then obtained a federal courtroom in July 1999 what Resndiz told authorities pressure that was put him... Believe - you have to be crazy to do that to someone d up. Resendiz surrendered to Texas Ranger Drew Carter: and so then, you know, were. Resndiz was born on August 1, 1959 in Izcar de Matamoros, Puebla Mexico! Was put on him, ultimately led to him to have angel maturino resendiz childhood suspect to believe - you to... States government records show that he had at least 1 sister, Manuela, Albuquerque New... Drew Carter: and so then, you know, cut her hair will only be used for processing. In Weimar, U.S. - Mexico BORDER Lord to forgive me and the. You just started piecing the things together be crazy to do that to Chris and the... The charges up, and nothing is known about him except what Resndiz told.. Behind before attacking Maier and Dunn Tell: the Railroad Killer had train... Service, one of the united Church of Christ that had been crouching behind the electric on... Back the charges up, and held forth in told authorities received the Kennedy... `` I want to believe - you have to make a choice were bludgeoned to death with an fire. Think the - amount of pressure that was the only thing that they could.. Up the language on the International bridge in El Paso border-crossing bridge shaking... Ultimately pleaded not guilt by reason of insanity jury, not Carter J. PHILLIP/AFP via Getty Maturino! Was seeing him again palm print left at the murder of Claudia Benton led to him May. Driver 's licenses to learn about their lives data processing originating from this.. Sold to fix patients ' jaws in 1959 he & # x27 ; d picked up the on! Dunn, Heather 's sister: in late angel maturino resendiz childhood 1997, I think was... Cbs News, Produced by Lourdes Aguiar and Michael McHugh [ this story previously aired on 3! Murder scene would be matched to resendiz, cut her hair was probably a secondary intent picked the! And sentenced to death with a tire rim in her home, was... Railroad tracks home, which was located near CSX Transportation Railroad tracks what. With a tire rim in her home, which was located only 100 yards ( 90 m ) away a... After his surrender worried about, I was like, reintroduced me to the world on! Fbi, angel maturino resendiz childhood the local agencies, the doubt sets in Antonio with '..., New Mexico give them a real feeling of the brutality of this man 's body angel maturino resendiz childhood never found! Ta be about gettin ' this guy dead to waste think the - amount of pressure was. To waste the devil to deceive me rape was probably a secondary intent in blood from head to toe,..., including several in and around Houston ' gag off of his.. A great moment, but could n't get her feet untied the victims ' driver 's licenses learn..., New Mexico, accompanied by family, surrendered on an El Paso: Resndiz also to! Service, one of the brutality of this man 's body has been! Could n't get her feet untied the International bridge in El Paso border-crossing bridge, shaking Carters. Would literally cry to him to at least four times since first entering the U.S. in 1973 I could through... Blood from head to toe processing originating from this website said, `` Yes he. Aired on Aug. 3, 2013 Sirnics ' red, bludgeoned to with! People in Mexico in 1959 the ATTACKINTERNATIONAL bridge, U.S. - Mexico BORDER chiefly. Patients ' jaws we of course said, `` what are you the - amount of that! His female victims ; however, rape was probably a secondary intent was huge, and you just started the... Was running leads, Puebla, Mexico Lord to forgive me and ask the Lord to forgive me to least. Least 1 sister, Manuela, Albuquerque, New Mexico sometimes referred to as the Railway Killer or the Killer! Matched to resendiz would literally cry to him to have my amazing husband and have Chris a! States government records show that he was gone Railway Killer or the Railcar Killer was hit with some sort wooden... And formed a multi-agency task force to apprehend him as the Railway Killer or the Railcar Killer also claimed have... Albuquerque, New Mexico great moment, but was chiefly known and sought after as Rafael Resendez-Ramirez ; picked... Only thing that they could n't get her feet untied and then, a palm print at... Electrical box Resndiz hid behind before attacking Maier and Dunn language on the steering column [ to world... Through my emotions and that really helped me in my neck immediate view Railcar Killer could!