How Many Victims Did Robert Lee Yates Have?

Posted by Almeda Bohannan on Saturday, May 4, 2024

The Seattle Times reports Robert Lee Yates' deadliest killing spree began in 1996, with the shooting death of 39-year-old Shannon Zielinski. Over the next 14 months, he also shot and killed Heather Hernandez, Jennifer Joseph, Darla Scott, Melinda Mercer, Shawn Johnson, Laurel Wason, Sunny Oster, Linda Maybin, Melody Murfin, Michelyn Derning, and Connie La Fontaine Ellis.

The Spokane Killer was initially convicted on 13 counts of murder and sentenced to more than 400 years. He was later convicted on two more counts of murder and sentenced to death.

Serial Killer Podcast reports Yates was convicted of killing a total of 15 people. However, he is also suspected in the deaths of Yolanda Sapp, Nickie Lowe, and Kathy Brisbois, who were killed in 1990. Authorities also believe he killed Sherry Palmer in 1992 and Tarayon Corbitts in 1996. However, he was never formally charged in those five deaths.

During his first sentencing hearing, Yates acknowledged what he did was wrong and apologized to the families of some of his victims. He also said he "turned to God" to help him cope with his "guilt and shame."

Although he was sentenced to death, Robert Lee Yates will not be executed while Washington Governor Jay Inslee is in office. As reported by The Seattle Times, Inslee placed a moratorium on executions as he is "not convinced equal justice is being served."

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