Joseph Edward Duncan

Joseph Edward Duncan
IDOC inmate mugshot, 2005
Born
Joseph Edward Duncan III

(1963-02-25)February 25, 1963
Fort Bragg, North Carolina, U.S.
DiedMarch 28, 2021(2021-03-28) (aged 58)
USP Terre Haute, Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S.
Other namesJet
Jazzi Jet
Criminal statusDied in prison
Conviction(s)Federal
Kidnapping a child resulting in death (18 U.S.C. § 1201)
Kidnapping a child (18 U.S.C. § 1201)
Aggravated sexual abuse (18 U.S.C. § 2241) (2 counts)
Sexual exploitation of a child resulting in death (18 U.S.C. § 2251)
Being a felon in possession of a firearm (18 U.S.C. § 922)
Possession of a stolen firearm (18 U.S.C. § 922)
Using a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death (18 U.S.C. § 924)
Transportation of a stolen vehicle (18 U.S.C. § 2312)
Possession of an unregistered firearm (26 U.S.C. § 5861)
Idaho
First degree murder (3 counts)
First degree kidnapping (3 counts)
California
First degree murder with special circumstances
Kidnapping
Criminal penaltyFederal
Death
Idaho and California
Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole
Details
Victims5–8 killed
3–16 raped
1–7 molested
1 attempted molestation
1–3 stalked
Span of crimes
1978 – July 2, 2005 (confirmed)
CountryUnited States
State(s)Idaho, California (convicted)
Washington (confessed)
Date apprehended
July 2, 2005; 19 years ago (2005-07-02)
Imprisoned atUnited States Penitentiary, Terre Haute

Joseph Edward Duncan III (February 25, 1963 – March 28, 2021)[1] was an American convicted serial killer and child molester who was on death row in federal prison following the 2005 kidnappings and murders of members of the Groene family of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He was also serving 11 consecutive sentences of life without parole for the 1997 murder of Anthony Martinez of Beaumont, California.[2] Additionally, Duncan confessed to — but had not been charged with — the 1996 murder of two girls, Sammiejo White and Carmen Cubias, in Seattle, Washington.[3] At the time of the attack on the Groene family, Duncan was on the run from a child molestation charge in Minnesota.[4]

During his incarceration, authorities connected Duncan with the unsolved murders of Anthony Martinez in California and two girls in Seattle, which all occurred when Duncan was on parole from 1994 to 1997. In all, Duncan was convicted in Idaho for kidnapping and murdering the three victims in Coeur d'Alene, for which he was given six life sentences:[5] in federal court for kidnapping Shasta and Dylan Groene and murdering Dylan,[6] for which he was given three death sentences and three life sentences; and in the state of California for kidnapping and murdering Martinez, for which he was given two life sentences.

Duncan died on March 28, 2021, at the age of 58, as a result of a terminal brain tumor.[7]

  1. ^ "Convicted serial killer who murdered 10-year-old Beaumont boy 24 years ago dies in Indiana". Riverside County District Attorney. March 28, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  2. ^ Boone, Rebecca (August 28, 2008). "Duncan sentenced to death". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
  3. ^ "Idaho killer Duncan pleads guilty to 1997 California - murder". KOMO-TV. March 15, 2011. Archived from the original on March 18, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  4. ^ Maben, Scott (October 24, 2016). "Shasta Groene wants sex offenders to spend life behind bars". The Spokesman-Review.
  5. ^ Brodwater, Taryn (October 17, 2006). "Duncan admits guilt". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on May 10, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
  6. ^ Cuniff, Meghann; Russell, Betzy Z. (August 28, 2008). "Joseph Duncan sentenced to die". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on May 10, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
  7. ^ Luck, Melissa (March 28, 2021). "'The sun is a little brighter today': Serial killer Joseph Duncan is dead". KXLY. Retrieved March 28, 2021.