John List
John Emil List was an American accountant and convicted family murderer known for killing his mother, wife, and three children in Westfield, New Jersey, in 1971.
John Emil List was an American accountant and convicted family murderer known for killing his mother, wife, and three children in Westfield, New Jersey, in 1971. He evaded capture for nearly 18 years under an assumed identity before being arrested in 1989, convicted in 1990, and sentenced to five life terms.
Early life
John Emil List was an American accountant and Sunday school teacher who lived in New Jersey before the murders. Public accounts describe him as outwardly ordinary prior to the crime.
The murders
On November 9, 1971, List murdered his mother, wife, and three children in the family home in Westfield, New Jersey. The case became known as the List murders or the Westfield massacre.
Capture and trial
List disappeared after the killings and was not captured until 1989, when a former neighbour recognized him from a televised reconstruction. He was extradited to New Jersey, tried in 1990, convicted, and given five life sentences.
Death
List spent the remainder of his life in prison and died in 2008 at the age of 82.
Key facts
- List killed his mother, wife, and three children on November 9, 1971.
- He lived under an assumed identity for nearly 18 years after the murders.
- He was identified and arrested in Virginia in 1989 after being featured on America's Most Wanted.
- He was convicted in 1990 of five counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to five consecutive life terms.
- He died in prison in 2008.
Frequently asked questions
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References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_List_(murderer)Supports: Identity, murders in 1971, arrest in 1989, conviction in 1990, sentence, and death.
- ABC News — https://abcnews.com/2020/story?id=132646&page=1Supports: Overview of the murders, arrest after America's Most Wanted, and life sentences.
- CaseSleuth — https://www.casesleuth.com/cases/john-listSupports: Timeline, murder details, capture, conviction, and death.
- The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/28/magazine/28List-t.htmlSupports: Biographical context and conviction details.
- The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/21/nyregion/jury-being-picked-in-killing-of-new-jersey-family.htmlSupports: Trial timing, victim count, and discovery timeline.