The I-70 Killer: One of America's Most Elusive Serial Murderers
The I-70 Killer is an unidentified serial murderer responsible for a series of execution-style killings across the American Midwest during a 29-day period in 1992. Despite multiple eyewitnesses, ballistic evidence, and decades of investigation, no suspect has ever been charged. More than 30 years later, the case remains unsolved.
The Confirmed Victims
1. Robin Fuldauer
Age 26
Killed April 8, 1992
Indianapolis, Indiana
Worked alone in a bridal shop
Shot in the back of the head
2. Patricia Magers
3. Patricia Smith
Killed April 11, 1992
Wichita, Kansas
Both worked at a bridal store
Found shot execution-style
4. Michael McCown
Killed April 27, 1992
Terre Haute, Indiana
The only male victim
Investigators theorized the killer may initially have mistaken him for a woman due to his long hair.
5. Nancy Kitzmiller
Killed May 3, 1992
St. Charles, Missouri
6. Sarah Blessing
Killed May 7, 1992
Raytown, Missouri
All six murders were linked through ballistics evidence showing the same firearm was used.
The Killer's Method
The offender displayed remarkable consistency:
Entered small specialty stores.
Chose times when few customers were present.
Often targeted lone employees.
Used a .22-caliber handgun.
Shot victims at close range, usually in the back of the head.
Stole only small amounts of money.
Committed no sexual assaults.
Left quickly.
This led investigators to believe that murder—not robbery—was the primary motive. The thefts appeared staged or secondary.
The Strange Signature: Jeweler's Rouge
One of the most unusual clues was the discovery of jeweler's rouge residue on shell casings.
Jeweler's rouge is a polishing compound often used by:
Jewelers
Metal workers
Gunsmiths
Precision machinists
Investigators theorized the killer may have:
Worked in one of these trades.
Customized or maintained his own firearm.
Had specialized technical skills.
The Suspect Description
Witnesses described:
White male
Mid-20s to late-30s in 1992
5'7"–5'9"
Thin to medium build
Sandy blond or reddish hair
Distinctive drooping ("lazy") eyelids
Neatly dressed
Calm demeanor
Police released composite sketches and later age-progressed images in 2021. Investigators believe the killer would now likely be in his 50s to 70s if still alive.
The Biggest Mystery: Why Did He Stop?
The most baffling aspect of the case is not how the murders began—but how they ended.
The killer murdered six people in 29 days and then apparently vanished. Investigators have long debated several possibilities:
Theory 1: He Died
A sudden death could explain the complete halt in activity.
Theory 2: He Was Arrested for Another Crime
Many cold-case investigators consider this one of the strongest possibilities.
Theory 3: Military or Traveling Employment
The killer may have been a truck driver, salesman, contractor, or someone whose work temporarily placed him along the I-70 corridor. When his route changed, the murders stopped.
Theory 4: He Continued Killing Elsewhere
Some investigators suspect later murders in Texas and Indiana may be connected, though these links remain disputed.
Potential Suspects
Several individuals have been examined over the years.
Donald Waterhouse
A Tennessee double-murder suspect whose crimes involved a .22-caliber firearm. He physically resembled the composite sketch but was eventually eliminated.
Sean Patrick Goble
A convicted serial murderer investigated in the 1990s. Differences in his crimes and appearance led police to rule him out.
Herb Baumeister
Some researchers and internet sleuths have suggested similarities between Baumeister and the composite sketch. However, authorities have never publicly identified him as a viable suspect and significant differences exist between the victim profiles.
My Assessment of the Most Likely Scenario
Looking strictly at the evidence, the strongest theory is that the killer:
Had a job involving regular interstate travel.
Was familiar with firearms and metalwork.
Chose victims based on availability rather than personal connection.
Was interrupted by death, imprisonment, illness, or a major life change shortly after May 1992.
The short, intense burst of violence followed by apparent disappearance is unusual even among serial offenders. It suggests an external event may have ended the spree rather than a voluntary decision to stop. The lack of sexual assault, the minimal thefts, and the execution-style shootings point toward a killer motivated primarily by the act of killing itself.
Why the Case Still Matters
The I-70 Killer case is often compared to other notorious unsolved serial murder investigations because:
There is strong physical evidence linking the crimes.
Witnesses saw the suspect.
Police possess detailed behavioral information.
Yet no one has ever been identified.
More than three decades later, it remains one of the most frustrating unsolved serial-killer mysteries in the United States.
Phase 1: Indianapolis, Indiana
8 April 1992 – Murder of Robin Fuldauer
Early Afternoon
Robin is working alone at a bridal shop.
Business is reportedly normal.
Approximate Attack Window
A man matching the later suspect description enters the store.
No disturbance or struggle is evident.
The victim is shot once in the back of the head with a .22-caliber handgun.
Minutes After
The killer leaves almost immediately.
Little money is taken.
No sexual assault occurs.
Later
Robin's body is discovered by others arriving at the store.
Phase 2: Wichita, Kansas
11 April 1992 – Double Murder
and
This attack occurs just three days after the Indianapolis murder.
Afternoon
Both women are working inside a bridal store.
Attack Window
The offender enters.
At some point he produces the handgun.
Both women are shot.
Critical Detail
Patricia Smith survives briefly after the attack.
She later provides investigators with limited information before dying.
Escape
The killer leaves before emergency services arrive.
The ability to kill two victims in one location suggested increasing confidence and boldness.
Phase 3: Travel Period
12–26 April 1992
This is one of the biggest mysteries.
Investigators believe the killer traveled along the Interstate 70 corridor connecting:
Indiana
Illinois
Missouri
Kansas
Questions include:
Was he scouting future locations?
Was he working a traveling job?
Was he living out of motels?
Did he commit other crimes that were never linked?
No confirmed murders are attributed to him during this gap.
Phase 4: Terre Haute, Indiana
27 April 1992 – Murder of Michael McCown
Afternoon
Michael is working alone in a specialty store.
Suspect Arrival
Witnesses later report seeing a man matching the composite sketch.
Attack
The killer enters.
A short interaction likely occurs.
Michael is shot at close range.
Departure
The offender leaves quickly.
Investigative Significance
Michael is the only male victim.
Some detectives theorized the killer initially believed Michael was female because he had long hair, though this remains only a theory.
Phase 5: St. Charles, Missouri
3 May 1992 – Murder of Nancy Kitzmiller
Afternoon
Nancy is alone in a gift shop.
Attack Window
Suspect enters.
Conversation may have occurred.
Nancy is shot in the back of the head.
Minutes Later
Killer exits calmly.
Important Witness Event
A witness later describes a man leaving the area.
This sighting contributes significantly to the famous composite sketch.
Phase 6: Raytown, Missouri
7 May 1992 – Murder of Sarah Blessing
Afternoon
Sarah is working alone at a store.
Approximate Sequence
Killer enters.
Brief interaction.
Weapon produced.
Fatal shot fired.
Small amount of cash taken.
Killer leaves.
Aftermath
Sarah is discovered later.
Ballistics confirm linkage to the previous murders.
The Killer's Movement Pattern
Investigators noticed several common features:
Preferred Targets
Small specialty stores
Female employees
Single-worker locations
Afternoon business hours
Time Inside
Most profilers believe the killer was inside each store only a few minutes.
Weapon Use
.22-caliber handgun
Close-range shootings
Minimal conversation
Minimal physical contact
Escape Strategy
Fast departure
No prolonged robbery
No effort to conceal bodies
The 29-Day Timeline
Date
Location
Victim
8 Apr 1992
Indianapolis, Indiana
Robin Fuldauer
11 Apr 1992
Wichita, Kansas
Patricia Magers & Patricia Smith
27 Apr 1992
Terre Haute, Indiana
Michael McCown
3 May 1992
St. Charles, Missouri
Nancy Kitzmiller
7 May 1992
Raytown, Missouri
Sarah Blessing
From the first known murder on 8 April to the last confirmed murder on 7 May, the offender killed six people in five attacks across four states in just 29 days, then apparently disappeared.
The enduring mystery is that the offender demonstrated planning, mobility, and confidence—yet after 7 May 1992, the confirmed series abruptly ended, leaving investigators with no definitive suspect and one of the most perplexing unsolved serial murder cases in American history.
