Robert Lee Yates Jr., who is commonly referred to as The Spokane Killer, was convicted of killing 15 women and one man in Spokane, Washington, and the surrounding area, between 1975 and 1998. As reported by The Seattle Times, Yates, who may have killed as many as 18 people, was ultimately sentenced to death. However, Seattle Times reports his death sentence was commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole following the Washington Supreme Court’s decision to abolish capital punishment.

Unlike many serial killers, Robert Lee Yates Jr. was known throughout his community as a family man. He and his wife, Linda, had five children together and were still married at the time of his arrest. In a public statement, provided by Kitsap Sun, Yate’s family expressed sympathy for the victims. However, they described him as “a loving, caring, and sensitive son, a fun-loving and giving brother, an understanding, generous, and dedicated father, who enjoys playing ball, fishing and camping with his kids.”

Despite his outward appearance, something sinister was lurking under the surface of the killer’s seemingly ordinary exterior. As reported by Radford University’s Department of Psychology, Yates Jr.’s childhood was far from ideal. Although it happened seven years before he was born, his grandmother reportedly murdered his grandfather using an ax. At the age of 6, Robert was molested by an older neighbor boy. His mother was described as “dominating,” but there were no reports of abuse by his parents.

Robert Lee Yates Jr.'s childhood and beyond

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