Henry Lee Lucas, dubbed "The Confession Killer," was an American convicted murderer who gained notoriety for falsely confessing to approximately 600 murders while imprisoned. Initially convicted for murdering his mother in 1960 and two others in 1983, Lucas's confessions led to the closure of numerous unsolved cases. Although he confessed to hundreds of murders, he was officially convicted of 11 and sentenced to death for the murder of Debra Jackson. His case highlights issues within law enforcement and the dangers of relying on unreliable confessions.
1901: Father's Birth
In 1901, Anderson Lucas was born.
August 23, 1936: Henry Lee Lucas Born
On August 23, 1936, Henry Lee Lucas, later known as The Confession Killer, was born.
March 1951: Burnsley Disappearance
In March 1951, Laura Everlean Burnsley disappeared from a bus stop in Lynchburg, Virginia.
1951: Father's Death
In 1951, Anderson Lucas died after losing his legs in a train accident.
1959: Moved to Michigan
In 1959, Henry Lucas traveled to Tecumseh, Michigan, to live with his half-sister, Opal Retta Jennings.
January 11, 1960: Murder of Nellie Viola Lucas
On January 11, 1960, Henry Lee Lucas murdered his mother, Nellie Viola Lucas, after an argument.
1960: Convicted of Mother's Murder
In 1960, Henry Lee Lucas was convicted of murdering his mother.
1960: Mother's Death
In 1960, Nellie Viola Lucas, Henry Lucas's mother, died.
1966: Returns to Prison
In 1966, Henry Lee Lucas returned to prison after spending time at Ionia State Hospital.
June 3, 1970: Released From Prison
On June 3, 1970, Henry Lee Lucas was released from prison due to overcrowding.
December 1971: Sentenced to Prison
In December 1971, Henry Lee Lucas was charged and sentenced to prison for attempting to abduct a 15-year-old girl.
August 1975: Released from Prison
In August 1975, Henry Lee Lucas was released from prison.
December 5, 1975: Moved to Pennsylvania
On December 5, 1975, after being released from prison, Henry Lee Lucas moved in with Betty Crawford and her daughters in Pennsylvania.
1976: Marriage Ends
In 1976, Betty Crawford accused Lucas of molesting her daughters, ending their marriage.
1976: Relocated to Jacksonville
In 1976, Henry Lee Lucas relocated to Jacksonville, Florida.
1978: Moved in with Toole
In 1978, Henry Lee Lucas moved in with Ottis Toole and Toole's mother in Springfield, Florida.
1979: Worked at Roofing Company
From 1979, Henry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole worked together in a roofing company.
1979: Orange Socks Homicide
In 1979, the body of a woman known as "Orange Socks" was found in Williamson County.
1981: Worked at Roofing Company
Until 1981, Henry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole worked together in a roofing company.
January 20, 1982: Ran Away with Powell
On January 20, 1982, Henry Lee Lucas convinced Frieda Lorraine "Becky" Powell to run away with him.
August 23, 1982: Murder of Powell
On August 23, 1982, Lucas claimed he murdered Frieda Lorraine "Becky" Powell in Denton, Texas.
September 16, 1982: Murder of Rich
On September 16, 1982, Lucas reportedly murdered Katie Pearl Rich in Ringgold, Texas.
June 10, 1983: Arrested for Firearm Possession
On June 10, 1983, Henry Lee Lucas was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm.
November 1983: Transferred to Williamson County Jail
In November 1983, Henry Lee Lucas was transferred to a jail in Williamson County, Texas.
1983: Convicted of Two Murders
In 1983, Henry Lee Lucas was convicted of murdering two people.
February 15, 1984: Confession to Burnsley Murder
On February 15, 1984, Henry Lee Lucas confessed to the murder of Laura Everlean Burnsley.
April 1985: Flaws Revealed in Lucas Task Force
In April 1985, journalist Hugh Aynesworth revealed the flawed methods of the Lucas Task Force in The Dallas Times Herald.
1985: Confessions of a Serial Killer Film
In 1985, the narrative film "Confessions of a Serial Killer" was made based on Lucas's confessions.
1986: Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer Film
In 1986, the narrative film "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" was released, with Michael Rooker in the title role.
1995: Documentary Films Released
In 1995, two documentary films were released: "The Serial Killers" and "Henry Lee Lucas: The Confession Killer".
1996: Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, Part II Film
In 1996, the narrative film "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, Part II" was released.
1998: Death Sentence Commuted
In 1998, Governor George W. Bush commuted Lucas's death sentence to life imprisonment.
March 12, 2001: Henry Lee Lucas Died
On March 12, 2001, Henry Lee Lucas died at the age of 64.
March 12, 2001: Death in Prison
On March 12, 2001, Henry Lee Lucas was found dead in prison from congestive heart failure.
2001: Lucas Dies of Heart Failure
In 2001, Henry Lee Lucas died of congestive heart failure.
2009: Drifter: Henry Lee Lucas Film
In 2009, the film "Drifter: Henry Lee Lucas" was released.
2019: The Confession Killer Documentary
In 2019, Netflix released the five-part documentary "The Confession Killer".
2022: Wild Crime: Murder in Yosemite
In 2022, season two of "Wild Crime: Murder in Yosemite" focused on Lucas.
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