Robert Mark Edwards

Case record: Robert Mark Edwards

Identity and physical description

Robert Mark Edwards was born on 6/14/61, 6/15/60, 6/14/58, or 6/15/61, with FBI number 41518W11 and SSANs 552-43-8728 and 553-47-2874.

He was described as 5'8" in height and 150 lbs in weight, with brown hair and blue eyes.

Edwards used multiple aliases: Kirk Edward Bell; Paul Robert Smith; Mark Edward Robert; Mark R. Edwards; Bobby Edwards; Jim Portillo; James Mark Portillo; and Rob Edwards.

Edwards was also reported to use: Edwards used: Kirk Edward Bell, Paul Robert Smith, Mark Edward Robert, Mark R. Edwards, Bobby Edwards, Jim Portillo, James Mark Portillo, Rob Edwards.

Contact for additional information

Any agency that believed Edwards’ modus operandi might match cold cases was instructed to contact SSA Jim McNamara, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Critical Incident Response Group, Behavioral Analysis Unit-2, at 703-632-4325.

Current incarceration and convictions

Robert Mark Edwards was currently incarcerated in California on a first-degree murder conviction. He also had been convicted of second-degree murder and five other felony counts in Hawaii.

Law enforcement authorities believed he may have committed other homicides, attempted homicides, or violent sexual assaults.

Timeline

• February 2, 1993 — Edwards was arrested for the murder of Muriel Delbecq in Hawaii.
• May 1986 — Edwards murdered 55-year-old realtor Marjorie Deeble in her apartment in Los Alamitos, California.
• 1995 — Edwards received a life term in Hawaii.
• 1998 — Edwards was condemned in California.

Background

Edwards had a former girlfriend who reported that Edwards liked to tie her up during sex and at least twice attempted to sodomize her with a bottle. She also said he would follow her and park near her place of employment, and he threatened to kill her if she discontinued their relationship.

Edwards had an extensive criminal history in California, including charges as burglary, grand theft auto, drunk driving, possession of a controlled substance, trespassing, peeping, and receiving stolen property.

Edwards was in custody in California from July 1984 to December 1985, and from December 1988 to November 1989. He was held in custody since his arrest for the murder of Muriel Delbecq.

The offences

Murder of Marjorie Deeble (Los Alamitos, California)

In May 1986, Edwards murdered 55-year-old realtor Marjorie Deeble in her apartment in Los Alamitos, California.

Marjorie was beaten about the head, and her nose was broken. She was found in a nightgown on the floor with her hands tied behind her back with part of her nightgown and a telephone cord.

Her head, neck, and shoulders were suspended about 6 inches off the floor by a noose formed by a belt and tied to the top drawer of a chest. Marks on her ankles indicated she may have had her legs tied at one time, and adhesive tape residue was found on her cheeks, suggesting a gag. Both of Marjorie’s eardrums were lacerated or torn.

She had been sexually assaulted vaginally with a mousse can at some point. Some items of jewelry were missing from her residence.

Edwards was dating Marjorie’s daughter at the time.

Murder of Muriel Delbecq (Kihei, Maui)

In January 1993, 67-year-old Muriel Delbecq, a realtor who lived in Alaska but spent 2 to 3 months each year in Hawaii, was found murdered in her apartment in Kihei, Maui.

Muriel had been strangled and beaten about the head and face. Her pubic hair appeared to have been shaved or cut, and there were contusions and abrasions on her breasts.

Muriel was sexually assaulted vaginally with a hair spray can with such force that it penetrated her abdominal cavity. The insertion occurred ante- or perimortem.

Muriel’s wedding ring and purse were taken.

Numerous items from the victim’s house, including panties and bras, were found in a trash bin across the street from the murder site. One of the bras was cut between the cups and the tips of the cups had been removed, and one pair of panties was cut open.

Edwards lived within a block of Muriel’s residence.

Investigation and modus operandi

Edwards’ known victims were described as older white females who were low-to moderate-risk victims living alone in ground-floor apartments.

It appeared they were sleeping or preparing to go to bed when attacked, apparently by a surprise assault.

Both cases involved ante- or perimortem foreign object insertion, both vaginally and anally, and both cases also had a lack of penile-vaginal penetration.

In addition to the specific murders, law enforcement authorities believed Edwards may have committed other homicides, attempted homicides, or violent sexual assaults.

Sentencing and disposition

Edwards received a life term in Hawaii in 1995.

Edwards was condemned in California in 1998.

Other details

Edwards had an “Motive” noted as “Sex./Sad.” A description of his modus operandi stated “Torture-slayer of women age 55 and 67.”

He was noted as having disposition: “Life term in Hawaii, 1995; condemned in Calif., 1998.”