Randall Woodfield

Case record: Randall Woodfield

Identity

Randall Woodfield was an American serial killer dubbed The I-5 Killer or The I-5 Bandit, and he was also referred to as Randy “Randy” Woodfield. He was born in Salem, Oregon, in December 1950.

Background

Woodfield came from a middle class family and had no evident signs of dysfunction. He was popular among his peers and became a football star at Newport High School on the Oregon Coast and at Portland State University.

Beginning in adolescence, he exhibited antisocial sexual behaviors, including indecent exposure. After his first arrest for indecent exposure in high school, his football coaches hushed it up so he would not be kicked off the team. Woodfield had multiple arrests in the early 1970s for petty crimes such as vandalism and public indecency.

He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers but was dismissed from the team in 1974 after more than a dozen arrests for indecent exposure.

The offence

Woodfield’s spree included robberies and sexual assaults, including attacks at knife point. Several female victims were sexually assaulted, murdered, or both.

He was convicted of three murders, and he was suspected of killing up to 18 people.

I-5 freeway spree and associated allegations

From 1979, Woodfield embarked upon a two-year robbery spree, holding up gas stations, ice cream parlors, and homes along the Interstate 5 freeway.

In October 1980 and 1981, police investigated multiple incidents and murders connected to the I-5 bandit, including shootings and robberies, and cases involving attempted murder and sodomy.

Police later encountered Woodfield during investigations into a shooting death in Beaverton, Oregon in March 1981. Woodfield was described as a casual acquaintance of the victim. Citing his history of sexual assault, police searched his home and found evidence linking him to the murder, as well as attempted murders of two young women. Woodfield was arrested and charged with the Beaverton murder and a double murder of a wife and daughter in Redding, California.

Investigation

In March 1981, police investigating a shooting death in Beaverton, Oregon encountered Woodfield, described as a casual acquaintance of the victim. After searching his home, police found evidence linking him to the murder and also to attempted murders of two young women.

In the separate narrative, a homicide investigation in Portland focused on Woodfield after a former classmate named Cherie Ayers was raped and murdered in Portland. Woodfield was routinely questioned and refused to sit for polygraph examinations. Homicide detectives found his answers generally “evasive and deceptive,” and the investigation included blood-type information that did not match the semen found inside Ayers’s body, and he was not charged in that investigation at the time.

A later narrative described additional murders investigated during the same period, including Darci Fix and Doug Altic shot to death in Altic’s apartment; a missing .32 caliber revolver from the scene; and the absence of evidence pointing to Woodfield at that time.

A 2006 account stated that a 1980 murder had been linked to the “I-5 killer,” but charges would not be pressed because he was already serving a life sentence plus 90 years. It said DNA evidence was not available at the time and a blood test did not provide a link. Woodfield denied involvement and refused a polygraph and was never charged in that earlier investigation. It further stated that the Portland Cold Case Squad reopened the file after DNA technology was refined and Woodfield was convicted for other murders as a serial killer; officials said they opted not to press charges after discussing with the Ayers family, and that they would press charges if he were ever considered for parole.

Arrest and charges

In a timeline narrative of the 1980-1981 period, he was taken into custody after several victims picked him from a police lineup. By March 16, indictments were described as rolling in from various jurisdictions in Washington and Oregon, including multiple counts of murder, rape and sodomy, attempted kidnapping, armed robbery, and possession of firearms by an ex-convict.

Trial

In October 1981, Woodfield was tried in Salem for the murder of Shari Hull, as well as charges of sodomy and attempted murder. Chris Van Dyke, son of actor Dick Van Dyke, was the district attorney of Marion County, Oregon at the time and prosecuted the case.

He was convicted of the murder and sentenced to life in prison, and he received an additional 90 years for convictions of the other crimes.

A narrative also stated that he was charged with four murders and convicted of only two murders. It stated that while he did not go to court on the majority of his offenses due to inability to afford endless string of trials, he was off the highways for “a century or so.”

The narrative also included a description of procedural requests by Woodfield’s counsel before a later 1981 trial: the defense attempted to move the trial from the Willamette Valley due to publicity to ensure a fair trial, and the judge denied the request, along with a request to hypnotize a prosecution witness to determine if the witness had been influenced by media coverage.

A further narrative stated that, in the trial, woodfield pleaded innocent on all charges.

The narrative also described that Lisa Garcia testified that Woodfield was her attacker at the subsequent trial.

Sentencing

In October 1981, Woodfield was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Shari Hull.

He was also sentenced to an additional 90 years for convictions of the other crimes.

A later narrative stated that by December, conviction of sodomy and weapons charges in Benton County, Oregon had added 35 more years to his time.

Appeals

No specific appeal outcome or overturned conviction was recorded in the provided text.

Prison life and later events

Woodfield was incarcerated at the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem and served the sentences there.

In October 1983, he was injured at the prison during a disturbance by another inmate.

In April 1987, he filed a $12 million libel suit against author Ann Rule. Ann Rule wrote The I-5 Killer, a best-selling non-fiction account published in 1984. Oregon’s federal court dismissed the lawsuit on statute of limitations grounds in January 1988.

By 1990, he was suspected in at least 44 homicides.

In 2001 and 2006, DNA testing linked him to two additional murders in Oregon from 1980 and 1981.

Woodfield married three times and was divorced twice during his time in prison.

Some letters he wrote from prison were eventually sold online.

In 2006, Woodfield wrote on his MySpace account:

“I'm Randy, I'm 55. I spend the remainder of my days in prison because I have committed a murder along with many other crimes. I once tried out for the Green Bay Packers. The only reason I didn't make it is because the skills I had to offer they didn't need at the time.”

The text also included further quotations from letters attributed to Randall Woodfield to Jennifer Furio. The letters included, among other passages, the following verbatim excerpts:

“Hello Again; Okay, truce it is. I really wasn't upset or angry, it just came across as such. Im always very defensive, and it is natural in this "Walled City". So chill & accept my apologee. I was just preturbed about going behind my back to Timothy [Aikens, a fellow inmate], and you never answered my questions or cared to share any pics. too. Can we even talk? Give me a some credit please. I did share a lot with you. But are you really interested in the corrupt, frame-up case for murder? You became upset with my first reply, you didn't even ask about it? So what's up with that? Tim showed me your letter, and it sounds like you've written to me earlier? No letters reached me. So I just "ASSUME". At least you acknowledge Im not a "weak" person — thank you. But will I ever really know who you are? Im sorry you expected more in my response. You have no idea how much abuse and ridicule I get from fiction-writers. And the sad part is my Civil Lawsuit was not accepted after 2 yrs. What discrimination we have in our so-called "Justice" (Just-Us) system! Now, to relieve your fears, Im not having any investigator follow you. But will that be the ONLY way I will get to see who you are? Just curious is all. And no comments about the pics. I sent you? No questions about anything? Just an angry response Jen? I apologize for the wise-cracks. I was just wondering why you wrote Tim & didn't say why or even answer me. Care to explain? Cute phrase you used…"Mickey flipping me off". What does it mean exactly? See, Im not that smart after all. (Smile) Can we now communicate both ways now? You answering my questions too? You know about "Quid Pro Quo" right? I did help Tim with that one. So are we on now or what? I'd just like to feel more at ease with you —— a total stranger picking my brains here. Ha! I see ya smiling… Lets start over here and dont be so reactionary and I wont either. And how about pen & paper letters now and then just to be more personal. May I have a photo of you please? No stalking, following you ever! My word is my bond too — "Ciao" Randall”

“' I-5-killer' suspected in 1980 murder F ebruary 11, 2006 PORTLAND, OR, United States (UPI) -- Portland police say a 1980 murder has been linked to the 'I-5 killer' but wont press charges since he is serving a life sentence plus 90 years. DNA evidence was not available at the time to connect Randall Woodfield to the death of 29-year-old Cherie Ayers and a blood test did not provide a link. Woodfield denied involvement and refused a polygraph. He was never charged. Ayers family always believed Woodfield was responsible and years later, after DNA technology was refined and Woodfield was convicted for other murders as a serial killer, the Portland Cold Case Squad reopened the file. This time there was enough evidence to link Woodfield to the murder, officials said. After discussing it with the Ayers family, the Portland District Attorneys office opted not to press charges. Officials said they will press charges, however, if Woodfield is ever considered for parole. The Ayers family agreed to that if the Portland Police Bureau clarified two details on the case. In response, the PPB reported that Cherie Ayers was not involved in a high-risk lifestyle as reported in the media and that Woodfield is the only one considered responsible for her death .”

A separate letter excerpt was also included:

“Dear Ms Frio; Okay — Truce. We are both right, and we need to find a middle ground. Im not angry with you, just disappointed in your style, or possibly "hidden agenda". Whatever. I will never really know. And you will just use me for your own purposes. Ive shared a lot with you, now its up to you to "ASK" the right questions. And to be open-minded as well. You make statements like…"All the inspectors and courts disagree", etc. Not so Jenny. Read the police report first filed by Det. Kominek, lead "Dick" who hypnotized the victim-witness, who helped police draw the composite drawing of "I-5 Killer" suspect!! Go figure.… Now ask yourself why they would fight my defense counsel, to keep (Larry Moore) out of my trial for murder. Because they KNOW they messed up, and arrest this mass-murderer 4-5 weeks after my arrest in the "I-5 Bandit" crime spree. Even the blood-type evidence doesnt match my type (B Neg.), so Judge throws state's blood evidence out of court! But my jury had a right to hear how the first blood test revealed (A/B) typing, and after my arrest, it changes to a plain (B) type. No "negative" enzyme can be detected. Maybe (Larry Moore's) blood type is (A/B)? The 1986 "Break-In" at D.A. offices, stinks of an "Inside" corruption case! Only my file is ransacked —— so go figure Jenny. They only charged me because of a "Line-Up" identification by (Lisa Garcia). But she never ONCE picked me out of color, close-up photos! Or did she describe me in any police report! Even the ambulance attendants testified for me, they state Ms. Garcia was slightly wounded, with scalp wound, but clear thinking to describe a shorter, sandy-haired fella matching the mass-murderer (Larry Moore). Justice prevails on appeal as my trial judge's ruling to bar defense from seeing (Larry Moore) in court, under cross-examination, etc. He said it was…"Irrelevent and immaterial" (unquote). Appeals court also agreed! Ha! Where is my right to call defense WITNESS & get a FAIR TRIAL ?? I believe this is info. that (Walter Todd) knows, as he was Deputy D.A. and law clerk under my prosecutor (1981). Today he is covering up what he meant in his (1993) letter to me. (see both letters enclosed). Now, Im trying to show or prove a frame-up in my only murder trial. God knows they (state) wanted me bad enough to violate my rights to fair trial. Now the TRANSCRIPTS dont reflect the truth of [what actually happened during my trial] — "leg-shackling" & blood type errors in State Testimony!! Even the other "I-5 Bandit" (state snitch-witness), testified that he made "No Deals" with prosecutors. Today we prove otherwise. But the transcripts omit his statement!!! Corruption to the core, Ms. Frio! Okay, enough crying on your shoulder. You only care to know "why murderers strike out in anger or rage"? How should I know? What a question Jenny. Care to write more personally? Share a photo? Talk once by phone? Your choice. "Ciao" Randall Woodfield”

Victims and specific named individuals

Several victims were named in the provided text.

• Shari Hull: murdered; Woodfield was tried in Salem for the murder of Shari Hull, as well as charges of sodomy and attempted murder.
• Beth Wilmot: wounded; the text linked Beth Wilmot to sexual abuse and the Salem incident involving Shari Hull.
• Donna Eckard (37) and her 14-year-old daughter: found dead in their home at Montain Gate, California, north of Redding; the daughter was described as sodomized and both were shot several times in the head.
• Cherie Ayers (29): raped and murdered in Portland; linked to Woodfield in a 2006 account; DNA evidence had not been available at the time she was killed; Woodfield was never charged for that death; Portland police opted not to press charges after discussing with the Ayers family.
• Julie Reitz: shot and killed at her home in Beaverton, Oregon.
• Lisa Garcia: described as a surviving victim who testified that Woodfield was her attacker.
• Sylvia Durante (21): strangled in Seattle and dumped beside the highway in December 1979.
• Marsha Weatter (19) and Kathy Allen (18): vanished while hitchhiking along I-5 outside Spokane; their corpses were found in May following the eruption of Mt. Saint Helens.
• Darci Fix and Doug Altic: shot to death execution-style in Altic’s apartment in the narrative.
• Sylvia Durante: also named separately as part of the additional victims uncovered while police followed Woodfield’s trail.
• Cherie Ayers family belief: the Ayers family always believed Woodfield was responsible, and the Portland Cold Case Squad reopened the file.
• Donna Eckard’s daughter: named as her 14-year-old daughter; in one narrative the daughter is also referred to as Janell as “Donna Eckard and her 14-year-old stepdaughter, Janell,” in the Redding California description.

Other named individuals in the text included:

• Chris Van Dyke: district attorney of Marion County, Oregon at the time of the Salem trial; he prosecuted the case.
• Dick Van Dyke: identified as Chris Van Dyke’s father.
• Ann Rule: author; Woodfield filed a libel suit against her.
• Cherie Ayers: described as 29 years old in the 2006 account.
• Walter Todd: referenced in Woodfield’s letter to Jennifer Furio.
• Det. Kominek: referenced in Woodfield’s letter to Jennifer Furio as having led “Dick” who hypnotized the victim-witness and helped police draw a composite drawing.
• Timothy [Aikens]: referenced in Woodfield’s letter to Jennifer Furio as a fellow inmate.
• Jennifer Furio / Jen / Ms Frio: recipient named in Woodfield’s letters.
• Larry Moore: referenced by Woodfield in his letters as the person he said was the “real” killer and as someone he sought to keep out of trial for murder.
• Lisa Garcia: referenced in Woodfield’s letters as part of identification in the case.

Other details

The text included multiple descriptions of Woodfield’s suspected crime scope and behavior patterns, including estimates of 60 sexual assaults and up to 18 murders.

A narrative included a claim that, due to a lack of evidence, “a jury found him not guilty and all charges were dropped” for a breaking-in incident described as occurring due to a lack of evidence; however, the rest of the provided text did not give enough consistent detail to reconcile that claim with other sentencing information given for his life sentence and the specific Oregon State Penitentiary incarceration.

A narrative stated that Woodfield wrote from prison, that “Some letters he wrote from prison were eventually sold online,” and that he had a MySpace account in 2006.

The text also included a physical description of Woodfield used in the narrative, including “white male, 25 to 30 years old, 6', 175 pounds, brown hair, short beard and mustache, Band-Aid across the nose, using a small nickel- or chrome-plated revolver, driving a gold VW,” and said that victims later identified a man matching that description while police investigated the “I-5 killer.”