Happy Face Killer: Where Is Keith Jesperson Now?

Aayush Sharma
·2 min read
Matthew Terry
Photo Credit: Halfdark via Getty Images

While working as a long haul truck driver, Keith Jesperson murdered eight women in the US between 1990 and 1995. Jesperson, popularly known as Happy Face Killer, targeted many of his victims who were sex workers and transients and had no connection to him.

He terrorized regions stretching from Washington to Wyoming, Nebraska, and even as far as Florida. However, in 1995, his killing spree ended after the authorities initiated an investigation into the murder of Julie Willingham. While in custody, Jesperson revealed details about how he killed his victims. Even though he officially killed eight women, it is believed that Jesperson may have had as many as 160 victims.

Authorities found the Happy Face Killer guilty of the brutal murders of three of his victims and sentenced him to three life sentences. Meanwhile, police convicted Keith Jesperson of another murder in 2010, resulting in another life sentence. Keith Jesperson terrorized an entire nation and got the punishment. However, the question is – where is the serial killer now?

Is Keith Jesperson still alive?

Yes, Keith Jesperson is alive and is currently serving his sentence at the Oregon State Penitentiary. The serial killer began his killing spree in 1990, and his first known victim was Tanuja Bennett. The Happy Face Killer went on to kill other victims between 1990 and 1995. He earned the nickname “Happy Face Killer” after sending confessions to journalists and police departments around the country to gain notoriety.

After the investigation began, the authorities questioned Jesperson in the murder of Julie Willingham in March 1995. However, they couldn’t arrest him. On March 30, 1995, Happy Face Killer’s arrest followed his confession about Willingham in a letter to his brother. Keith Jesperson anticipated his capture, which prompted him to confess to killing eight people.

Days before his trial, Jesperson pleaded guilty, and the court sentenced him to life in prison. Currently, he is serving his life sentence at the Oregon State Penitentiary.

Keith Jesperson’s story has spawned a lot of TV projects. In 2014, Lifetime came out with a movie titled Happy Face Killer that saw David Arquette playing the titular character. Meanwhile, an episode of the Investigation Discovery true crime series Evil Lies Here featured Keith Jesperson’s daughter.

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