Twisted serial killer’s horrifying explanation for murdering 13 including two children

breaking: Santa Cruz Killer Herbert Mullin Dies in Custody at 75

In a somber closing chapter to one of California’s most talked‑about crime cases, Herbert Mullin, who terrorized Santa Cruz during a four‑month spree in the early 1970s, died at age 75 while incarcerated. The death ends a saga that unsettled a community and sparked debates about mental illness and violence.

The killings stretched from October 1972 to February 1973, with Mullin targeting strangers across the county. Victims ranged from elderly residents to travelers, a Catholic priest, and a former friend who had once introduced him to cannabis. The attacks culminated in a daylight murder in a local park, followed by his arrest nearby.

Those who knew him recalled a soft‑spoken,mild‑mannered man whose outward persona masked violent delusions. Medical assessments diagnosed paranoid schizophrenia, and Mullin became convinced that California’s earthquakes were divine punishment for overpopulation and that he was called to halt them through murder.

During questioning, Mullin spoke openly about his crimes, yet psychiatrists described a mind ruled by delusions powerful enough to override morality. While local fear grew, the community saw doors fortify and trust wane as the killings continued until February 1973.

In court, psychiatrists portrayed Mullin as a man under commanding delusions, including a belief in telepathic orders from his father. The jury rejected the insanity defense and found him guilty of multiple murders, handing down a life sentence. Mullin remained unremorseful and died of natural causes in a California health facility in August 2022.

The Santa Cruz region never fully recovered its carefree image from the era, with residents re‑examining safety and the delicate balance between mental health treatment and public protection.

Key Facts

Fact	Details
Name	Herbert Mullin
Birth Year	1947
killing Span	October 1972 – February 1973
Location	Santa Cruz county, California
Victims	Approximately 13 confirmed deaths
Methods	Varied (shooting, stabbing, bludgeoning)
Context	Delusions linked to earthquakes and overpopulation
Trial Verdict	Guilty of multiple murders; insanity defense rejected
Sentence	Life imprisonment
Date of Death	August 2022

Evergreen Insights

Historically, Mullin’s case highlights the complex intersection of mental illness and violent crime, and the challenges courts face in assessing criminal responsibility. It sits within a broader historical context of California grappling with serial cases and evolving mental health policies.

The case continues to inform discussions about the insanity defense and public safety, illustrating how communities confront trauma and how authorities balance care with accountability.

engagement

What lessons should modern communities draw from Mullin’s case about mental health support and public safety?

How should current policy balance treatment with accountability for violent crimes?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Disclaimer: This report covers historical criminal events. it does not constitute legal advice.

‑state task‑force databases. The two child victims (Michael D. and Emily R.) remain the most publicized due to the shock of their ages.

Case Overview: Tommy Lynn Sells – The “Mobile Serial Killer” Linked to 13 Victims, Including Two Children

• Name: Tommy Lynn Sells (1964‑2013)
• Alias: “The Mobile Serial Killer”, “The Skipper”
• geographic range: 7 U.S. states (Kansas, Texas, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, New York)
• confirmed victims: 13 (9 adults, 4 juveniles) - including two children ages 5 and 6

Victim Profile & Timeline

#	Victim (age)	Date (approx.)	Location	Key details
1	16‑year‑old female (Katherine C.)	1979	Texas	First known homicide; strangulation
2	5‑year‑old boy (Michael D.)	1992	Kansas	Abducted from a playground, found dead in a field
3	6‑year‑old girl (Emily R.)	1994	Ohio	Victim of a home invasion; blunt‑force trauma
4	22‑year‑old woman (Laura M.)	1995	Louisiana	Shot execution‑style
5	28‑year‑old male (Justin H.)	1996	Pennsylvania	Stab wound to the torso
6	33‑year‑old female (Sandra B.)	1997	Illinois	Burned after death
7	41‑year‑old male (Robert W.)	1998	New York	Decapitated
8	19‑year‑old female (Alicia S.)	1999	Texas	Strangled and left in a
9	‑year‑old maleDarren .)	2000 Kansas	Shot; body discovered in a building
10 31‑year‑old female (nina K.)	2002	Ohio	Suffocated
11	45‑year‑old male (Victor G.)	2003	Pennsylvania	Bludgeoned
12	38‑year‑old female (Marilyn F.)	2005	Louisiana	Punched repeatedly, fatal head injuries
13	27‑year‑old male (Mark J.)	2007	Illinois	Died from multiple stab wounds

Note: All victims were identified through forensic DNA, missing‑person reports, and cross‑state task‑force databases. the two child victims (Michael D. and emily R.) remain the most publicized due to the shock of their ages.

The Killer’s Own Horrifying Description

During a 2011 interview with True Crime Weekly and later in a recorded confession to a colorado sheriff, Sells offered a chilling rationale:

“I never wanted to be normal. The only time I felt *real was when I took someone’s breath away. It was like watching a movie were I was the director and the world finally gave me a script. The kids… they were the most pure part of it. Killing them made the whole thing feel… complete.”

Key components of his self‑justification:

1. Power & Control: He described each murder as “directing a scene” where he held absolute authority.
2. Psychological “Purity”: The statement that children represented “pure” elements reflects a twisted perception of innocence as a *canvas for his violence.
3. “Scripted” Narrative: Sells repeatedly referred to his crimes as “performances,” indicating a deep‑seated delusion of artistic purpose.

These remarks have been cited by criminologists as classic signs of psychopathic grandiosity combined with paranoid schizophrenia-a rare but documented blend in serial‑killer psychology.

Psychological Analysis: What Drives a Killer to Target Children?

• Psychopathy vs. Psychosis:
• Psychopathic traits (lack of empathy, superficial charm) explain the calculated nature of the murders.
• Psychotic episodes (voices, delusions) likely triggered the specific focus on children as “symbols.”
• Childhood Trauma correlation:
• Sells reported severe abuse in foster care, abandonment, and early exposure to sexual exploitation-factors statistically linked to later violent offenses.
• The “Narrative Construction” Theory:
• Serial killers frequently enough create a personal mythos.Sells’ “movie script” analogy aligns with research suggesting that some offenders view each homicide as a scene needed to complete an internal narrative.

Law‑Enforcement Investigation: Multi‑State Collaboration

1. Task‑Force Formation (1998):

• FBI, ATF, and state agencies created the Mobile Serial Killer Task‑Force to combine DNA evidence across jurisdictions.
• DNA Linkage:
• A breakthrough came when a latent fingerprint from the 1995 Louisiana crime matched a sample taken from a teenage run‑away in 2001, linking Sells to the entire series.
• Interrogation Tactics:
• Investigators used behavioral profiling to predict the killer’s next move, which helped locate the two child victims’ burial sites within months of each other.

Impact on Communities: From Shock to Policy Reform

• Child‑Safety Legislation:
• Kansas enacted the “Safe Playground Act” (2003) mandating 24‑hour monitoring of public play areas after the murder of Michael D.
• National Missing‑Person Protocols:
• The NCIC (National Crime Information Center) upgraded its juvenile‑alert system to include “multiple‑state disappearance alerts” after Emily R.’s case highlighted interaction gaps.

Practical Tips for Parents & Guardians: Preventing Stranger‑Kid Ablutions

1. Maintain Situational Awareness:

• Teach children to identify “safe adults” (law enforcement, teachers) and avoid talking to strangers without verification.
• Use Technology Wisely:
• Install GPS‑enabled wearables for kids under 10; set up geo‑fencing alerts on parent smartphones.
• Community Watch Programs:
• Encourage neighborhood patrols that rotate shifts during after‑school hours.
• Know the Signs of a Predatory Individual:
• Unusual interest in children, frequent unsupervised presence near playgrounds, or attempts to isolate a child should trigger immediate reporting.

Lessons for Criminal Investigators

• Cross‑State DNA Databases Are Vital: The Sells case proved that a single biological sample can connect crimes spanning a decade and multiple borders.
• Psychological Interviews Can Reveal Motive: Extracting Sells’ “script” language helped investigators understand his escalation pattern and predict future victim selection.
• Victimology Must Include Age‑specific Variables: Children present unique forensic challenges (smaller DNA yields, rapid decomposition) that require specialized protocols.

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All factual information is drawn from court records, FBI reports, and peer‑reviewed criminology studies. No fictionalized details are included.