Dorothea Puente
Dorothea Puente was an American serial killer and financial fraudster known as the "Killer Landlady" or "Death House Landlady." She ran a boarding house in Sacramento, California, and was convicted of murdering tenants in the 1980s.
Dorothea Puente was an American serial killer and financial fraudster known as the "Killer Landlady" or "Death House Landlady." She ran a boarding house in Sacramento, California, and was convicted of murdering tenants in the 1980s. She died in prison in 2011.
Early life
Dorothea Helen Gray was born in 1929 and later became known as Dorothea Puente after marriage. Public sources describe her later life primarily through her criminal case rather than detailed biographical records.
Crimes
Puente ran a boarding house for elderly, disabled, and otherwise vulnerable people in Sacramento. Investigators linked her to murders committed between 1982 and 1988, as well as theft from victims' benefit payments.
Investigation and trial
In 1988, seven bodies were found buried at her property, leading to major media attention and murder charges. She was tried in the early 1990s and convicted of three murders after jurors could not agree on the remaining charges.
Imprisonment and death
Puente was sentenced to life in prison and remained incarcerated in California. She died in prison in 2011 at age 82.
Key facts
- Puente operated a boarding house in Sacramento and targeted vulnerable tenants.
- Authorities discovered seven bodies buried on her property in 1988.
- She was charged with nine murders but convicted of three.
- Her crimes were linked to stealing tenants' Social Security and disability benefits.
- She received life sentences and died in prison in 2011.
Canadian readers may encounter Puente's case in true-crime media and comparative criminal history, but it has no major direct Canadian connection.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Dorothea Puente?
Why was she called the "Death House Landlady"?
How many murders was Dorothea Puente charged with?
How many murders was she convicted of?
What was her motive?
When did Dorothea Puente die?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothea_PuenteSupports: Basic biographical details, aliases, crimes, location, and dates.
- Crime Museum — https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/serial-killers/dorothea-puente/Supports: Boarding house context, charges, convictions, and imprisonment.
- Los Angeles Times — https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-07-12-mn-12421-story.htmlSupports: Trial reporting, prosecution allegations, and characterization of the murders.
- Sydney Morning Herald — https://www.smh.com.au/world/saga-of-a-lethal-landlady-serial-killer-dorothea-dead-at-82-20110404-1cvzk.htmlSupports: Death in prison, convictions, and life sentences.