Frank Anthony Canonico

Background

Frank Anthony Canonico was a native of Brooklyn.

The offence

Homicide investigators said Canonico had signed confessions in the shooting deaths of Willine Wall, age 60, and Phyllis Schwartz, age 43, of nearby Lauderhill. Canonico was charged with the murders of two local women.

Investigation

Police announced that Canonico had openly confessed to killing twenty-five "loose women" whom he met in bars across the country. Police said Canonico had confessed to both killings, then began to talk about several other murders in which the victims, all women, were shot to death. By July 18, 1981, police said the murders he might have committed included as many as 12 others in at least five states since 1979, with victims shot in every case.

Arrest

Canonico was arrested by police in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in early July 1981.

Trial

Canonico was formally indicted on two counts of murder by July 29. By August 1, 1981, his attorneys said he would plead not guilty to two murder charges.

Sentencing

In May 1982, Canonico was sentenced to two life terms in prison in Florida.

Appeals

No appeal information was provided.

Outcome

Canonico received two life terms in Florida in May 1982.

Aftermath

The case description included that Canonico may have been a suspect in additional murders beyond the two charged.

Other details

Michael Newton - An Encyclopedia of Modern Serial Killers - Hunting Humans Man Charged With 2 Murders May Be Suspect in 12 Others The New York Times July 18, 1981: "A Brooklyn man charged here with two murders may have committed as many as 12 others in at least five states since 1979, the police said today. Frank Canonico, 39 years old, was charged earlier this week with murdering a 60-year-old widow in Fort Lauderdale and a 43-year-old woman in nearby Lauderhill. The police said that he had confessed to both killings, then began to talk about several other murders in which the victims, all women, were shot to death." The New York Times August 1, 1981: "A man who the police say has confessed to killing as many as 25 ''loose'' women he met in singles bars will plead not guilty to two murder charges, his attorneys say. Frank Anthony Canonico, 39 years old, was indicted by a Broward County grand jury Wednesday in the deaths of Phyllis Schwartz, 43, of Lauderhill, Fla., and Willine Wall, 60, of Fort Lauderdale." A case data line included: "SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: N MOTIVE: Sex. MO: Shot "loose women" met in bars while traveling DISPOSITION: Two life terms in Fla., May 1982"