This story is definitely not for the faint of heart. The details of this disturbing tale are worthy of a horror movie, but its all 100 percent true. The heinous acts performed by America’s truck stop killer have influenced many people to never hitchhike again. You never know what a driver might have in mind.
The Truck Stop Killer, also known as Robert Ben Rhoades, is an American serial killer who is still alive today. He is known for raping and murdering more than 50 women between 1975 and 1990, taking victims throughout the country.
Flickr/Randy Heinitz
Though he was from Texas, Rhoades’ cross-country trucking job took him to the far reaches of the Midwest, including Illinois, where he would pick up female hitchhikers. In some cases, he would pick up a couple and then kill the male right away.
Flickr/Thorin Nielson
The women were kept for up to a week in the back of a semi trailer that was converted into a torture chamber. He was finally caught in Arizona when police found a naked women tied up and screaming in Rhoades’ cab. This incident initiated the uncovering of his other crimes.
Wikimedia Commons/Ildar Sagdejev
Though it is suspected that he was murdering one to three victims each month at the height of his plight, Rhoades was only tried in one case, though he was called to testify for several more. In several cases, victims dropped charges.
Wikipedia/Illinois Department of Corrections
Regardless, the truck stop killer is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole at the Menard Correctional Center in Chester, Illinois. He was charged with the murder of Regina Kay Walters, a 14-year-old who he found with her boyfriend before holding her hostage. It is believed she was tortured for a week before being murdered in an abandoned barn in Illinois.
Google/A Truckers Perspective
For more like this, check out these eight famous homicides in Illinois that will never be forgotten.
Flickr/Randy Heinitz
Flickr/Thorin Nielson
Wikimedia Commons/Ildar Sagdejev
Wikipedia/Illinois Department of Corrections
Google/A Truckers Perspective
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