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The case of Robert Garrow, an upstate New York serial rapist and spree killer during the 1970s
Robert Garrow was a notorious serial rapist and spree killer who terrorized upstate New York in the 1970s. His crimes included a series of violent assaults and murders that shocked and horrified the region. Here are the key details of his life, crimes, and the subsequent manhunt and trial:
Background
- Robert Francis Garrow: Born on March 4, 1936, in Dannemora, New York. Garrow had a troubled childhood marked by severe abuse, both physical and emotional. He had a history of petty crimes and violent behavior from a young age.
Crimes
Early Criminal Activity
- Petty Crimes and Assaults: Garrow’s early criminal record included a range of petty crimes, escalating to more violent behavior over time. He spent several years in prison for burglary and larceny in the 1960s.
Murders and Rapes
- Spree in the 1970s: Garrow’s most notorious crimes occurred in the early 1970s when he committed a series of rapes and murders in upstate New York.
- Alicia Hauck: In July 1973, Garrow kidnapped and murdered 16-year-old Alicia Hauck near Syracuse, New York. He raped and strangled her, then hid her body in the woods.
- Daniel Porter and Susan Petz: In July 1973, he attacked and murdered Daniel Porter and Susan Petz, a couple camping in the Adirondacks. He shot Porter and stabbed Petz.
- Philip Domblewski: In August 1973, Garrow killed Philip Domblewski, a 23-year-old college student who was hiking in the Adirondacks. Garrow stabbed Domblewski to death after a confrontation.
Manhunt
- Intensive Search: Following the murders, an extensive manhunt was launched to capture Garrow. The search involved hundreds of law enforcement officers and lasted for several weeks.
- Capture: Garrow was eventually captured on August 9, 1973, after being wounded in a shootout with police near Speculator, New York. He was found hiding in the woods, injured and exhausted.
