Billy Chemirmir

Billy Kipkorir Chemirmir (December 8, 1972 – September 19, 2023) was a Kenyan convicted murderer and suspected serial killer accused of the murders of elderly women in Dallas, Texas, and its surrounding suburbs. Chemirmir was indicted for 22 murders[1] and convicted of two. Civil suits were also filed accusing him of a further six similar murders.[2]

Billy Chemirmir
Chemirmir's mugshot
Born
Billy Kipkorir Chemirmir

(1972-12-08)December 8, 1972
Eldama Ravine, Baringo County, Kenya
DiedSeptember 19, 2023(2023-09-19) (aged 50)
Tennessee Colony, Anderson County, Texas, U.S.
NationalityKenyan
Known forSerial killing
Criminal statusDeceased
Conviction(s)Murder (2)
Criminal penaltyLife imprisonment
Details
Victims22-28 (estimates)
Date apprehended
March 2018
Imprisoned atCoffield Unit, Texas

Biography

Billy Kipkorir Chemirmir was born in Kabonyony village, a Kenyan suburb of Eldama Ravine. His father was a long-serving village chief.[3]

Chemirmir had convictions for driving under the influence in Addison and Dallas in 2010 and 2011, receiving fines and short custodial sentences.[4] In July 2012, Chemirmir was arrested for assault on a female companion and in June 2016 for trespassing at Edgemere Retirement Community. He pleaded no contest to both charges later that year.[4][5]

Crimes

Chemirmir was accused of posing as a medical professional or maintenance person and gaining access to the properties of at least twenty-two elderly women and smothering them with a pillow.[6][1] Police in several North Texas communities have investigated Chemirmir for additional victims, believing that a number of previously-reported natural deaths may be linked to him.[6][7]

Trial

Chemirmir was arrested in March 2018, accused of smothering an 81-year-old woman to death. He was indicted on 11 additional counts of capital murder in May 2019.[8] On February 7, 2020, trial was set for April 5, 2021.[9] The trial was later delayed to November 12, 2021.[10] Chemirmir's trial began November 15, 2021.[11] On November 19, 2021, a judge declared a mistrial due to an 11–1 jury deadlock.[12][13][14] Chemirmir's retrial began April 25, 2022.[15]

On April 28, 2022, Chemirmir was convicted in the murder of Lu Thi Harris and was sentenced to life in prison.[16][17] Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot told families in May 2021 that his office would not seek a death sentence for Chemirmir.[18]

On August 24, 2023, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced he also would not seek the death penalty for Chemirmir.[19][20] Chemirmir's trial for the murder of Mary Brooks began on October 3, 2022.[21][22] On October 7, 2022, Chemirmir was convicted in the murder of Mary Brooks and was sentenced to life in prison.[23][24] After his convictions, the remaining charges against Chemirmir were dismissed, which disappointed many of his victims' families.[25][26]

Death

Chemirmir was killed by a fellow inmate on September 19, 2023, at the Coffield Unit in Tennessee Colony, Anderson County, Texas. He was 50 years old.[27][28]

References
  1. "New indictments returned in Texas against convicted murderer". Associated Press. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  2. "Accused Serial Killer Billy Chemirmir Faces New Charge, Bringing Total Capital Murder Charges to 18". NBCDFW. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  3. Keoch, Florah (March 18, 2020). "Suspected serial killer held in US described as humble". Daily Nation. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  4. Ramirez Jr., Domingo; Manna, Nichole (May 17, 2019). "Dallas man accused of killing 12 elderly White women maintains he's innocent, attorney says". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  5. "Chief: 'This is terribly disturbing'; murder suspect targeted elderly women". March 23, 2018.
  6. Scudder, Charles (February 25, 2020). "Billy Chemirmir faces capital murder counts in deaths of two more elderly White women; total indictments at 14". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  7. Staff. "Police: Murder suspect may be linked to more elderly deaths in North Texas". Fox5 Atlanta. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  8. Branham, Dana; Scudder, Charles (May 17, 2019). "Senior-living communities were Dallas serial killer's hunting grounds, families' lawsuits say". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  9. Scudder, Charles (February 7, 2020). "April 2021 trial date set for Billy Chemirmir, accused of smothering elderly in Dallas, Collin counties". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  10. "Trial Date Set For Accused Serial Killer Billy Chemirmir". NBCDFW. Archived from the original on 2021-07-16. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  11. "Trial begins for man charged with killing 18 in Texas". AP NEWS. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  12. "Mistrial declared in case of man charged in 18 Texas deaths". AP NEWS. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  13. "Judge Declares Mistrial In Billy Chemirmir Capital Murder Trial After Jury Fails To Reach Verdict". CBS DFW. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  14. "Chemirmir Jurors 'Hopelessly Deadlocked,' Judge Declares Mistrial in Capital Murder Case". NBCDFW. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  15. "Retrial of Accused Serial Killer Billy Chemirmir Begins After Juror Delay". NBCDFW. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  16. "Man charged with killing 18 in Texas convicted of 1 murder". AP NEWS. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  17. "Accused Serial Killer Billy Chemirmir Found Guilty of Capital Murder in Lu Thi Harris' Death". NBCDFW. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  18. Scudder, Charles (July 1, 2021). "After Dallas County decision, some call for Collin County to seek death for murder suspect Chemirmir". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  19. "Texas prosecutor says he will not seek death penalty for man in slayings of 2 elderly women". AP NEWS. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  20. "Collin County DA not pursuing the death penalty in Billy Chemirmir cases". NBCDFW. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  21. Stengle, Jamie (October 2, 2022). "Man accused of killing 22 older women goes on trial again". KWTX-TV. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  22. Tate, Amethyst (October 3, 2022). "Man Accused of Killing 22 Elderly Texans to Stand Trial in Dallas for Murder". MSN. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  23. "Billy Chemirmir, Accused in 22 Killings, Handed 2nd Conviction in Dallas". NBCDFW. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  24. "Man charged with killing 22 Texas women gets 2nd conviction". AP NEWS. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  25. "How the Children of Elderly Murder Victims United to Help an Entire Community". November 14, 2022.
  26. "Families Seek Recognition for Alleged Billy Chemirmir Murder Victims Whose Cases Were Dismissed". Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  27. "Convicted murderer Billy Chemirmir killed by cellmate in Texas prison: TDCJ". NBCDFW. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  28. "Convicted murderer Billy Chemirmir killed in prison, officials say". CBS Texas. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
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