George Williams

Background

George Williams was a Chicago native, born in 1942. He watched his mother die in childbirth and later witnessed the murder of his infant brother by a sadistic step-mother.

Williams was convicted of armed robbery at age 18 and served time in state prison between 1961 and 1963. After prison, he emerged to “go straight” as a security guard for a hospital in suburban Oak Lawn. By 1980, his behavior on the job was classified as “erratic,” and he was demoted to a post with the hospital’s maintenance department, where he showed no improvement. He was dismissed in 1983 and became embittered, hostile, and seething with an urge to take revenge against society at large.

The offence

Police believed Williams murdered seven women in the period between his firing and July of 1984, though he was only charged in two of the suspected homicides.

On July 14, Williams left his car near the home of 76-year-old Josephine McMullen. McMullen was found tied to a kitchen chair in her Evergreen home, raped and strangled with a nylon stocking. Authorities learned that Williams had done some carpentry work for the victim, and the discovery of his car nearby was described as the clincher.

Police also alleged a similar slaying of 76-year-old Dorothy Smith. Smith was raped, stabbed, and strangled with a nylon stocking in her home, and her body was swaddled in a shower curtain.

The account stated that five other area deaths fit a similar pattern, but there was insufficient evidence for an indictment.

Investigation

A warrant was issued for Williams’s arrest on July 15.

The search went national on July 17, when Josephine McMullen’s car was found in Indianapolis. Authorities thought Williams might be traveling to see his ex-wife in Georgia, but Williams had actually run home to Chicago seeking help from his family.

Detectives were questioning his sister on July 20 when Williams appeared at the door and was taken into custody.

Trial

Williams was convicted on two counts of murder and rape.

Sentencing

He was sentenced to a term of life without parole on January 23, 1987.

Outcome

George Williams received a life term without parole on two counts.

Other details

• Williams was characterized as a home invader who raped and strangled elderly women.
• The account listed: “Michael Newton - An Encyclopedia of Modern Serial Killers - Hunting Humans” and “Williams, George E. (1943-” along with “SEX: M RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: Sex. DATE(S): 1983-84 VENUE: Chicago, Ill. MO: Home invader who raped/strangled elderly women DISPOSITION: Life term without parole on two counts.”
• The record did not provide a full list of the five other area deaths beyond stating that there was insufficient evidence for an indictment.