Robert Frederick Carr
Robert Frederick Carr III (December 22, 1943 – July 6, 2007) was an American serial killer and pedophile who killed three children and one woman in the states of Florida and Connecticut between 1972 and 1976. Carr, a former television repairman, additionally admitted to molesting more than a dozen children until his apprehension. Following his arrest, he was sentenced to life imprisonment, which he served until his death in 2007.[2][3]
Robert Frederick Carr | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Robert Frederick Carr III December 22, 1943 Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | July 6, 2007 (aged 63) |
| Other names | Robert Hunt[1] |
| Conviction(s) | First degree murder (3 counts) Sexual battery (4 counts) |
| Criminal penalty | Three life terms plus 360 years |
| Details | |
| Victims | 4 |
Span of crimes | 1972–1976 |
| Country | United States |
| State(s) | Florida and Connecticut |
Date apprehended | May 30, 1976 |
Early life
Robert Frederick Carr III was born on December 22, 1943, in Virginia. According to his confession, he had a troubled childhood, reportedly being forced into prostitution at 11-years-old and stealing cars as a teen.[3] As an adult, he moved to Connecticut, where he would ultimately start a relationship and get married, as well as getting a job fixing TVs. Carr would later admit that when having sex he would fantasize about committing rape and murder.[3]
Murders
In late 1972, Carr visited Florida and on November 13, 1972, he picked up 11-year-olds Mark Payton and Todd Wilson, who were hitchhiking from North Miami Beach. The inside back doors in the car were disabled. Carr kidnapped, raped and strangled both boys to death. After the murders, he drove to Mississippi and Louisiana, burying one boy in each state.[3] Both boys were subsequently reported missing by their parents when they did not return home.
A few months later, Carr picked up, raped and killed 16-year-old Tammy Ruth Huntley.
In 1973, Carr was convicted of rape in Connecticut, but was paroled in 1976. Upon his release in Connecticut, he would kill his fourth and final victim, 21-year-old Rhonda Holloway, before burying her body in a rural area.[4]
Trial and imprisonment
On May 30, 1976 Carr raped a hitchhiker at knife point. During the attack, a Metro police officer stumbled upon the car and witnessed the rape, arresting Carr.[2][5] Once in interrogation, Carr surprised detectives by confessing to four murders,[3] explaining the crimes in detail. Carr, along with detectives David Simmons, Charles Zatrepalek and deputy medical examiner Ronald Wright, went on a long mission to find the bodies.[4]
In addition, Carr confessed to dozens of rapes of young boys and girls.
Carr received a life sentence after pleading guilty, meaning he would be spared the death penalty.[6] He served part of his sentence at a state mental hospital, but was kicked out after it was found he was hoarding wire cutters and pliers.[3] Afterwards he began mailing letters to prosecutor Ed O'Donnell, who had previously worked on the case.[3]
Death
On July 6, 2007, Carr died at the Union Correctional Institution from unspecified causes.[2]
Bibliography
- Edna Buchanan (October 22, 1979). Carr: Five Years of Rape and Murder. ISBN 0525076573.
References
- "Inmate Lookup". Florida Department of Corrections.
- "Child killer dies in Florida prison". United Press International. July 22, 2007.
- "Serial killer provided a glimpse into warped mind". McClatchy. July 21, 2007.
- "Suspect in Killings Helps Police Find Body of Woman Victim". The New York Times. June 14, 1976.
- "Carr Pleads Guilty; Death Penalty Likely". The Palm Beach Post. July 10, 1976.
- "Inmate Release Information Detail". www.dc.state.fl.us. Retrieved 2021-12-28.