David Villarreal
Serial killer
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- Gender
- male
- Country
- USA
- Location
- Dallas/San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Date of birth
- 1955
- Age at first offence
- 19
- Characteristics
- homosexual, drunken rage, robbery, rape?
- Victim profile
- Men between 18 and 78 years
- Method of murder
- St abbing with knife / Hitting with a hammer
- Date(s) of murder
- 1974 - 1981
- Years active
- 1974–1981
- Date of arrest
- March 11, 1981
- Status
-
Imprisoned
Arrested in March 1981 after police were tipped off about his involvement in a murder.
Background
David Villarreal was described as a homosexual drifter and as a robber.
Investigation
Villarreal was arrested in March 1981 after police were tipped off about his involvement in a murder.
While in custody, Villarreal helped police with their investigations. He offered to take them to the body of his latest victim, which he directed police to on March 10. During the same period, he also added confessions for crimes that police had not suspected him of.
Police reported that the murders were a mixture of sexual satisfaction and robbery. Police also reported that, for the San Antonio murders, “sexual gratification was at least part of the motive,” while the murders committed in Dallas appeared to be purely mercenary and connected with various robberies.
Arrest
Villarreal was picked up on March 10.
Offences
Villarreal claimed that he began killing in San Antonio in 1974.
He struck again after moving to Dallas around late 1978 or early 1979.
San Antonio murders (as admitted)
Villarreal admitted to the killing of his first victim in San Antonio in 1974.
On March 3, 1981, he beat 18-year-old Joe Duque to death.
On March 8, 1981, he used a claw hammer to murder 72-year-old Robert Manley.
The body of Robert Manley was discovered on March 11 as a result of Villarreal’s confession.
Dallas murders (as admitted)
In Dallas, Villarreal beat to death a middle-aged man using a hammer.
In March 1979, Villarreal was held for questioning in the murder of Ernest Garcia. Ernest Garcia had been stabbed with an ice pick, and then beaten with a concrete block and a board. At the time, police had no real evidence to hold Villarreal, and he was released. Villarreal later admitted this murder.
One month after his release in relation to the Ernest Garcia murder, Villarreal killed Charles Moya, 30, and Tony Gutierrez, 32. Both victims had their throats cut.
Timeline
- 1974 — Villarreal claimed his first killing in San Antonio.
- late 1978 or early ’79 — Villarreal struck again in Dallas.
- March 1979 — Villarreal was held for questioning in the murder of Ernest Garcia.
- (one month after March 1979) — Villarreal killed Charles Moya (30) and Tony Gutierrez (32).
- March 3, 1981 — Villarreal beat Joe Duque (18) to death.
- March 8, 1981 — Villarreal used a claw hammer to murder Robert Manley (72).
- March 10, 1981 — Villarreal was picked up and directed police to the body of his latest victim.
- March 11, 1981 — Robert Manley’s body was discovered as a result of Villarreal’s confession.
Other details
Villarreal was 26 years old. He confessed that he had killed over a seven-year series of murders around Dallas and San Antonio, Texas.
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