Christopher Schaefer

Gerard John Schaefer Jr. was an American convicted murderer and suspected serial killer, known by the monikers "Killer Cop," "Hangman," and "Butcher of Blind Creek." He was found guilty of the 1972 murders and mutilation of two teenage girls in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and is believed to be responsible for up to twenty-six additional deaths. Prosecutor Robert Stone described Schaefer as "the most sexually deviant person" he had encountered. Schaefer received two life sentences in 1973 and was incarcerated at Florida State Prison, where he was fatally stabbed by another inmate in December 1995.

Schaefer's notoriety stemmed from his position as a sheriff's deputy in Martin County, Florida, at the time of his initial arrest, earning him the "Killer Cop" nickname. The "Hangman" moniker arose from his method of restraining women with a hangman's noose before torturing and murdering them. His early life was marked by frequent family relocations, his father's alcoholism and abuse, and Schaefer's own development of disturbing sexual fantasies involving sadomasochism, bondage, and autoerotic asphyxiation, often practiced alone in rural settings. Despite a troubled youth, he was considered a promising student and athlete.

Born in Wisconsin in 1946, Gerard Schaefer's childhood was characterized by instability due to frequent moves and his father's abusive behavior and alcoholism. Raised in Tennessee and Georgia before settling in Florida, Schaefer's family life was difficult, though he reported being close to his mother. He found solace in outdoor activities and developed an interest in nature. By adolescence, his solitary pursuits and perceived detachment from peer groups led others to view him as an "outdoors man." During his teenage years, Schaefer began experiencing increasingly intense erotic fantasies focused on harming women he despised. These fantasies evolved into an interest in sadomasochism, bondage, and autoerotic asphyxiation, often involving self-restraint in secluded outdoor locations. He also engaged in voyeurism and cross-dressing. Despite these private preoccupations, he was academically capable, participating in varsity football and excelling at golf, graduating high school in 1964.

Schaefer pursued higher education, initially studying social studies before switching to teaching at Broward Community College. He later transferred to Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in 1968 with the goal of obtaining a degree in education. In 1968, he married Martha "Marti" Louise Fogg, a fellow student, but their relationship deteriorated due to his sexual demands and hunting habits, leading to a divorce in 1970 citing extreme cruelty. Schaefer's attempts at a teaching career were short-lived. He was dismissed from a student teaching internship at Plantation High School in 1969 for imposing his views on students and refusing guidance. A subsequent internship at Stranahan High School in 1970 also ended prematurely due to poor performance, arrogance, and limited subject knowledge.

Following his failed teaching career, Schaefer worked briefly as a security guard before applying to the Wilton Manors police department in 1970. He misrepresented his work history and was hired, but his tenure was short. He was dismissed in March 1972 after superiors discovered he was using his position to obtain personal information on female motorists and solicit dates. Shortly before his dismissal, Schaefer joined the Martin County sheriff's department as a deputy in June 1972, having falsified a letter of recommendation. His background check revealed no criminal record at that time. It was during his time as a deputy that Schaefer encountered and abducted two teenage girls, Nancy Ellen Trotter and Paula Sue Wells, leading to his conviction for their murder and mutilation. He was sentenced to two life terms and died in prison in 1995.

“the most sexually deviant person”