7 Christmas Murders That Shocked the World
The holiday season may be known for joy and celebration, but it also carries a darker side. Over the years, some horrifying crimes have taken place during Christmastime — leaving a grim reminder that evil doesn't take a holiday. Here are seven chilling murders that occurred during the festive season.
1. The Shooting of Rhonda Hinson
In 1981, Rhonda Hinson was just 19 years old when her life was tragically cut short on Dec. 22 in Hickory, North Carolina. After attending a Christmas party, Rhonda was shot in her car while driving home. The bullet came from an unknown shooter, passing through the vehicle and fatally striking her in the heart. Suspicious circumstances, including her strange behavior before the murder, have left authorities puzzled, and her killer has never been found.
2. The Murder of Tracy Mertens
Just before Christmas in 1994, Tracy Mertens was kidnapped from her home in Birmingham, England, by two men asking about her boyfriend. She was later found burned alive on the steps of a church, suffering severe injuries before succumbing to her wounds. Authorities believe her boyfriend's connections to drug-related issues may have been linked to her murder, but her killers have never been brought to justice.
3. Za'Zell Preston's Tragic End
Za'Zell Preston, a mother of three from Anaheim, California, endured a horrifying end on Christmas Eve in 2011. After years of domestic abuse, her husband killed her during an argument, then staged her body in the living room with sunglasses, allowing their children to open presents in front of her corpse. Her husband was later sentenced to 15 years to life for her murder.
4. The 'Downtown Posse' Christmas Killing Spree
On Christmas Eve 1992, a group of teenage runaways, known as the "Downtown Posse," went on a brutal killing spree in Dayton, Ohio. Over two days, they murdered six people, robbing their victims in cold blood. The spree ended when the group was caught by police, and all members received life sentences, except for one who was executed in 2009.
5. Kevin Showalter's Unsolved Hit-and-Run
On Christmas Eve 1973, Kevin Showalter was changing a flat tire on a Connecticut highway when he was struck by a passing car. Despite leads and a controversial confession decades later, the case remains unsolved. Kevin's family continues to search for justice, though the truth remains buried under layers of uncertainty.
6. The Mysterious Pleasant Valley Memorial Park Jane Doe
On Dec. 18, 1996, a mysterious woman believed to be about 60 years old, dubbed "Jane Doe," was found dead at a cemetery in Virginia. Her death was ruled a suicide, but her elaborate setup — a plastic bag over her head, a miniature Christmas tree, and a note requesting cremation — left more questions than answers. Despite extensive investigations, her true identity remains unknown, leaving behind an eerie holiday mystery.
7. The Killing of Civil Rights Activists Harry and Harriette Moore
On Christmas night in 1951, civil rights leaders Harry and Harriette Moore were killed when a bomb was detonated under their Florida home. Both were NAACP activists, fighting for equality and justice in the segregated South. Half a century later, four KKK members were found to have been behind the killings. No arrests were ever made.
These cases remind us that even during the most joyful time of the year, tragedy can strike unexpectedly. As we celebrate the holidays, it's a chilling reminder that beneath the festive cheer, darkness sometimes lurks.
References: 19 Horror Stories That Ruined The Holiday | 10 Unsolved Christmastime Mysteries
