History of John Brennan Crutchley in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 24, 2025

John Brennan Crutchley was an American convicted kidnapper and rapist, suspected of being a serial killer possibly responsible for the murders of up to thirty women. Dubbed the 'Vampire Rapist,' he earned this moniker due to his act of draining the blood of his confirmed victim, almost to the point of death. Crutchley's crimes and alleged involvement in numerous unsolved cases mark him as a particularly heinous figure in criminal history.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education

August 17, 1931: Donna June Crutchley Born

On August 17, 1931, Donna June Crutchley was born.

February 2, 1945: Death of Donna June Crutchley

On February 2, 1945, Donna June Crutchley died during emergency surgery.

October 1, 1946: John Brennan Crutchley Born

On October 1, 1946, John Brennan Crutchley was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia.

1969: First Marriage

In 1969, Crutchley married his first wife.

1970: Introduction to blood drinking

In 1970, Crutchley claimed to have been introduced to blood drinking by a nurse as part of a sexual ritual.

1970: Crutchley Graduates from Defiance College

In 1970, Crutchley graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Defiance College in Ohio.

1983: Crutchley Begins Working at Harris Corporation

In 1983, Crutchley began working at Harris Corporation in Palm Bay, Florida.

November 22, 1985: Laura Murphy Found

On the evening of November 22, 1985, in Malabar, Florida, Laura Murphy was found crawling along the side of the road.

June 1986: Crutchley Pleads Guilty

In June 1986, Crutchley pleaded guilty on kidnapping and rape charges.

1992: Ressler predicts Crutchley's release

In 1992, Ressler predicted that Crutchley's "25 to life" sentence would result in release as soon as 1998.

August 8, 1996: Crutchley Released and Rearrested

On August 8, 1996, Crutchley was released from Union Correctional Institution and then rearrested for violating parole.

January 31, 1997: Crutchley Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

On January 31, 1997, Crutchley was sentenced to life imprisonment under the "three strikes law".

1998: Ressler's prediction

In 1998, Ressler predicted that Crutchley's "25 to life" sentence would result in release.

March 30, 2002: Death of John Brennan Crutchley

On March 30, 2002, John Brennan Crutchley died in prison.

April 2, 2002: Corrections Officials Report Crutchley's Death

On April 2, 2002, corrections officials reported that Crutchley had been found dead in his cell at the Hardee Correctional Institute.

August 1, 2003: Florida Department of Corrections Declares Cause of Death

Around August 1, 2003, the Florida Department of Corrections declared that Crutchley died of autoerotic asphyxiation.

October 30, 2010: Investigation Discovery Broadcasts Summary of Incident

On October 30, 2010, the cable channel Investigation Discovery broadcast a summary of the Brevard County incident which led to Crutchley's incarceration, in an episode of American Occult.

Loading Video...