John Martin Crawford

John Martin Crawford (March 29, 1962 – December 16, 2020) was a Canadian serial killer. Crawford was convicted of killing four women in Saskatchewan and Alberta, between 1981 and 1992.[1]

For the American physician and scholar, see John Martin Crawford (scholar).
John Martin Crawford
Born
John Martin Crawford

(1962-03-29)March 29, 1962
Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada
DiedDecember 16, 2020(2020-12-16) (aged 58)
Regional Psychiatric Centre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
NationalityCanadian
Other namesThe Lady Killer
Conviction(s)First degree murder
Second degree murder (2 counts)
Manslaughter
Criminal penaltyLife imprisonment
Details
Victims4+
Span of crimes
1981–1992
CountryCanada
Date apprehended
1993
Imprisoned atRegional Psychiatric Centre

Crimes

Crawford was sentenced in 1981 to ten years' imprisonment for manslaughter in the killing of Mary Jane Serloin, in Lethbridge, Alberta. He was released from prison in 1989.[2]

While under police surveillance, Crawford sexually assaulted Theresa Kematch,[3] who was herself arrested, while Crawford was not.[2]

In October 1994, a hunter came across the remains of the women in heavy brush outside of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.[4][5] In 1996, Crawford was convicted of one count of first degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder in the 1992 deaths of three Indigenous women identified as Eva Taysup, Shelley Napope, and Calinda Waterhen.[6] Crawford was sentenced to three concurrent life sentences.[7]

Literature

Crawford is discussed in Warren Goulding's book Just Another Indian, A Serial Killer and Canada's Indifference with the message that crimes against marginalized minorities go unheeded by an uncaring society at large. The theory is posited that Crawford's case was played down by the media because his victims were Aboriginal women.[8]

Death

Crawford died on December 16, 2020, while serving his sentence at the Regional Psychiatric Centre in Saskatoon.[9][10] No cause of death was released.[11]

See also

References
  1. "Saskatchewan serial killer John Martin Crawford dies at Regional Psychiatric Centre". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  2. Goulding, Warren (2001). Just Another Indian: A Serial Killer and Canada's Indifference. Fifth House. ISBN 1894004515.
  3. Serial Killer – John Martin Crawford
  4. "Pacholik: Female, desperate, vulnerable, Indigenous — and human". Regina Leader-Post. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  5. "Just Another Indian: A Serial Killer and Canada's Indifference". Quill and Quire. 12 February 2004. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  6. Serial killer who roamed Saskatoon met with indifference[Usurped!]
  7. "A story that no one wanted told". Edmonton Sun. 30 September 2005. Archived from the original on 2008-10-28. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  8. "Opinion: Looking back at Just Another Indian". Eagle Feather News. 17 August 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  9. "Saskatoon serial killer John Martin Crawford has died in prison". Yahoo News. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  10. "Saskatoon serial killer John Martin Crawford has died in prison". CBC News. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  11. "Saskatoon serial killer John Martin Crawford dies in prison". Global News. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
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