Offender Record · OFF-2026-029
Harvey Louis Carignan
Also known as The Want-Ad Killer, Harv the Hammer
Sex
Male
Race
White
Born
1927
Custody
Deceased
States
MN, CA, AK, WA, ND, KS
Distinguishing featuresDiagnosed with childhood chorea (involuntary twitching and face pulling); chronic bedwetter as child
Custody
Deceased at Minnesota Correctional Facility – Oak Park Heights
Custody record at the facility
Died March 6, 2023, at age 95 of natural causes at Minnesota Correctional Facility – Oak Park Heights while serving a life sentence.
This record documents arrests, charges and convictions reported by courts, law enforcement agencies and news organizations. Every statement is tied to a cited source with an archived copy. A charge is an accusation, not proof of guilt; a person charged is presumed innocent unless convicted. Solve the Case does not allege that this person committed any offense beyond what the cited records state, and this record is not a suggestion that the person is connected to any unsolved case. How records are built, corrected and removed.
Summary of the record
Harvey Louis Carignan was convicted of first-degree murder in the deaths of Eileen Hunley and Katherine Schultz in Minnesota in 1976; he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Schultz's death and was convicted of first-degree murder in Hunley's death, receiving a life sentence. He was previously convicted in 1950 of first-degree murder and assault with intent to commit rape in the Territory of Alaska in 1949, with that murder conviction overturned on appeal in 1951; in 1975 he was convicted of attempted murder and multiple counts of aggravated sodomy and sodomy upon a child in Minnesota. Carignan operated across Alaska, Washington, and Minnesota from 1949 to 1974, using classified job advertisements to lure victims and employing a hammer as his primary weapon.
Documented Arrests, Charges and Convictions
Dispositions are shown exactly as the cited records report them. Pending charges are updated when a court acts; a record with no remaining conviction or pending charge is removed from the site.
Offense date Jul 31, 1949, Anchorage, Alaska
First-degree murder
Territory of Alaska · U.S. District Court · Arrested Sep 17, 1949 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Death by hanging; overturned 1951; commuted to 15 years imprisonment
Carignan murdered a 57-year-old woman at Fort Richardson during attempted rape. Death sentence commuted to 15 years after conviction overturned on appeal in 1951 due to improper confession methods (McNabb rule violation). He served approximately 10 years total before parole in 1960.
SourcesHarvey Carignan; Serial killer Harvey Carignan dies in Minnesota prison at 95; Radford University serial killer biography: Carignan, Harvey
Offense date Sep 16, 1949, Anchorage, Alaska
Assault with intent to commit rape
Territory of Alaska · U.S. District Court · Arrested Sep 17, 1949 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: 15 years imprisonment
Victim Christine Norton was attacked by intoxicated soldier at approximately 7 a.m. She and eyewitness John Keith identified Carignan in a line-up. Victim escaped the attempted rape.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Carignan, Harvey; Harvey Carignan
Offense date Sep 09, 1973, Minneapolis and Minnesota
Aggravated sodomy; Sodomy upon a child; Indecent liberties
Hennepin County District Court, Minnesota · Hennepin County District Court · Minnesota Statute · Arrested Sep 24, 1974 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: 60 years total (30 years for assault on 13-year-old Jerri Billings; additional 30 years for other sodomy counts)
On September 9, 1973, Carignan picked up a 13-year-old hitchhiker, forced her to perform sexual acts, and assaulted her with a hammer before releasing her with threats. She did not report until months later. Victim did not die. Carignan also assaulted others with similar methods involving hammer.
SourcesHarvey Carignan; Radford University serial killer biography: Carignan, Harvey; Serial killer Harvey Carignan dies in Minnesota prison at 95
Offense date Aug 10, 1974, Sherburne County, Minnesota
First-degree murder
Ramsey County District Court, Minnesota · Ramsey County District Court · Minnesota Statute · Arrested Sep 24, 1974 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life imprisonment
On August 10, 1974, Eileen Hunley (age 29) disappeared after leaving live-in boyfriend Carignan. Her body was found five weeks later in a field in Sherburne County (also reported as Shelbourne County), wrapped in blanket. Cause of death was blunt force trauma to head (hammer blows) and sexual assault with tree branch. Carignan was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
SourcesHarvey Carignan; Serial killer Harvey Carignan dies in Minnesota prison at 95; True Crime: Harvey Carignan, 'The Want-Ad Killer,' Dies In Minnesota Prison (archived); Radford University serial killer biography: Carignan, Harvey
Offense date Sep 14, 1974, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Attempted murder
Hennepin County District Court, Minnesota · Hennepin County District Court · Minnesota Statute · Arrested Sep 24, 1974 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: 40 years
Victim was picked up from Sears parking lot, assaulted with hammer, choked into semi-consciousness, and sexually assaulted. Victim survived after being dumped in field and crawled to roadside for help. Survivor identified Carignan. Trial held February 1975; Carignan pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, claiming God told him to kill women, but jury found him guilty.
SourcesSerial killer Harvey Carignan dies in Minnesota prison at 95; Harvey Carignan; Radford University serial killer biography: Carignan, Harvey
Offense date Sep 20, 1974, Isanti County, Minnesota
Second-degree murder
Isanti County District Court, Minnesota · Isanti County District Court · Minnesota Statute · Arrested Sep 24, 1974 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: 40 years
An 18-year-old girl (Katherine Schultz) was found on September 21, 1974 in a cornfield 40 miles from Minneapolis with her skull beaten in by hammer. Carignan pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on February 9, 1976, testifying he picked her up in Minneapolis and drove her to Isanti County where he killed her. Sentenced to 40 years.
SourcesSerial killer Harvey Carignan dies in Minnesota prison at 95; True Crime: Harvey Carignan, 'The Want-Ad Killer,' Dies In Minnesota Prison (archived); Radford University serial killer biography: Carignan, Harvey
Pattern and Background
Victim counts and the pattern of the offenses as stated by courts, agencies and the cited reporting. Suspected counts are what officials have said publicly, not a finding of this site.
3
Victims convicted
1
Victims confessed
2
Victims suspected
Active years
1949–1974
Victim profile
Young women, Teenagers, Hitchhikers, Strangers
Stated motive
Sexual
Range from home
interstate
Confessed
Yes
Education
high school
Marital history
Married, Divorced
Children
0
Military discharge
other than honorable
Died
2023-03-06 · natural
Places Lived, Worked and Frequented
Each place and date range comes from a cited record. Dates marked approximate are as reported. Know a place that is missing? Use Edit record under the photo; a moderator reviews it before it appears.
AK
Anchorage, Alaska
approx. 1946 – 1949 · Fort Richardson, U.S. Army · army
Anchorage, Alaska
approx. 1949 – 1952 · U.S. District Court custody for 1949 rape and murder
CA
San Francisco, California
approx. 1952 – 1960 · Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary (approximately 8 years)
KS
Leavenworth, Kansas
approx. 1960 – 1964 · Federal prison; 2,086 days and 2.5 years Minnesota state prison for burglary and assault
MN
Minneapolis, Minnesota
approx. 1960 – 1964
Minneapolis, Minnesota
approx. 1973 – 1974 · Carpenter/construction worker
Stillwater, Minnesota
1974 – Mar 06, 2023 · Minnesota Correctional Facility – Oak Park Heights (also reported as Stillwater and Faribault)
ND
Mandan, North Dakota
1939 – 1946 · Reform school for 7 years
WA
Walla Walla, Washington
approx. 1964 – 1968 · Washington State prison for second-degree burglary; 15 years sentence
Seattle, Washington
approx. 1968 – 1972 · Gas station owner
Bellingham, Washington
approx. 1972 – 1973 · Service station operator/gas station owner leasing business
Known Vehicles
Vehicles and approximate dates of ownership or use, as reported in the cited records. A photo next to a vehicle is the vehicle itself as published.
1973 Oldsmobile Toronado
approx. 1973 – 1974
Carignan reported owning this vehicle; arrested 1974
1968 silver Chevrolet Pickup 1/2 ton – Silver truck; witnesses reported seeing Leslie Laura Brock get into Carignan's silver truck
approx. 1968 – 1974
Witnesses claimed victim Leslie Laura Brock was seen entering a silver truck driven by Carignan on October 15, 1972
1968 Chevrolet Caprice
approx. 1968 – 1974
Carignan reported owning this vehicle; arrested 1974
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado
approx. 1966 – 1974
Carignan reported owning this vehicle; arrested 1974
Timeline
May 18, 1927
Harvey Louis Carignan born in Fargo, North Dakota.
1939
Carignan sent to reform school in Mandan, North Dakota, at age 11 for behavioral problems and petty theft.
1946
Carignan leaves reform school at age 18 and enlists in U.S. Army.
Jul 31, 1949
Carignan murders a 57-year-old woman (Laura Showalter) during attempted rape while stationed at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.
Sep 16, 1949
Carignan attempts to rape another woman (Christine Norton) in Anchorage; she escapes.
Sep 17, 1949
Carignan arrested and brought to U.S. Marshal for Laura Showalter's murder.
1950
Carignan charged and convicted of first-degree murder and assault with intent to commit rape in Territory of Alaska; sentenced to death by hanging.
1951
Carignan's murder conviction overturned on appeal (McNabb rule violation); death sentence commuted to 15 years imprisonment; assault conviction stands.
1952
Carignan transferred to Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary.
Apr 02, 1960
Carignan paroled after serving approximately 10 years total at Alcatraz.
Aug 1960
Carignan and brother arrested in Minnesota for attempted third-degree burglary and parole violation; sentenced to additional prison time.
Mar 02, 1964
Carignan released on parole after serving approximately 4 years in Leavenworth Federal Prison for Minnesota burglary conviction.
Nov 22, 1964
Carignan arrested in Washington for second-degree burglary; sentenced to 15 years in Washington State prison in Walla Walla.
1968
Carignan paroled from Washington State prison after serving approximately 4 years.
1969
Carignan arrested for parole violation and suspicion of robbery; serves 1 year in Walla Walla.
1969
Carignan marries Sheila Moran and moves in with her and her daughter.
1970
Sheila divorces Carignan due to physical abuse.
Apr 14, 1972
Carignan marries Alice Johnson; moves in with her and her two children (ages 11 and 14).
Jun 1972
Billy (stepson, age 11) moves out to live with his biological father due to beatings from Carignan.
Jul 27, 1972
Virginia Piper disappears; Carignan is speculated to have kidnapped her, though he is never charged.
Oct 15, 1972
Leslie Laura Brock (age 19) found dead in Bellingham, Washington; Carignan is prime suspect but never charged due to lack of physical evidence.
May 01, 1973
Carignan places help-wanted ad for gas station job; 15-year-old Kathy Sue Miller responds, and Carignan sexually assaults and murders her with a hammer. Her body is found in an Indian reservation north of Everett, Washington, wrapped in plastic.
Jun 28, 1973
Mary Townsend attacked at a bus stop by Carignan; knocked unconscious and placed in his vehicle, but escapes when he attempts to force sexual acts.
Jul 1973
Carignan arrested for assault of his wife Alice; she subsequently decides to leave him.
Sep 09, 1973
Carignan picks up 13-year-old hitchhiker Jerri Billings; sexually assaults her with a hammer and releases her with threats not to report.
May 1974
Carignan begins dating and living with Eileen Hunley (age 29) after moving to Minnesota.
Aug 09, 1974
Eileen Hunley leaves Carignan.
Aug 10, 1974
Eileen Hunley disappears; her body is found approximately five weeks later in Sherburne County with blunt force trauma to the head and evidence of rape with a tree branch.
Sep 08, 1974
Carignan picks up hitchhikers June Lynch (age 17) and Lisa King (age 16) in Minneapolis; beats June severely with a hammer; Lisa escapes.
Sep 14, 1974
Carignan picks up Gwen Burton from Sears parking lot, strips her clothing, chokes her into semi-consciousness, and sexually assaults her with a hammer; dumps her in field, but she survives and crawls to roadside for help.
Sep 18, 1974
Carignan picks up Sally Versoi and Diane Flynn; forces them to perform oral sex and beats them when they do not comply; they escape when he stops for fuel.
Sep 20, 1974
Katherine Schultz (age 18) found dead in cornfield 40 miles from Minneapolis with skull beaten in by hammer; Carignan suspected but not immediately charged.
Sep 24, 1974
Carignan arrested after pulled over and identified from survivor's description; police search vehicle and find map marked with 181 red circles indicating locations across United States and Canada.
Feb 1975
Carignan tried for attempted murder of Gwen Burton and aggravated sodomy; pleads not guilty by reason of insanity, claiming God told him to kill women.
Mar 03, 1975
Jury finds Carignan guilty of attempted murder and aggravated sodomy in Gwen Burton case; insanity plea rejected.
Mar 07, 1975
Carignan sent to St. Peters State Hospital for pre-sentence psychiatric examination; diagnosed with severe antisocial personality disorder.
Apr 18, 1975
Carignan found guilty on four counts of sodomy and indecent liberties in attack of Jerri Billings (13-year-old).
May 05, 1975
Carignan sentenced to 30 years for sodomy of Jerri Billings and 30 years for sodomy of Gwen Burton; ordered to serve 40 years total (Minnesota sentencing cap).
Jun 19, 1975
Carignan indicted for murder of Katherine Schultz.
Jun 19, 1975
Carignan indicted for murder of Eileen Hunley.
Feb 09, 1976
Carignan pleads guilty to second-degree murder of Katherine Schultz; sentenced to 40 years.
Jun 24, 1976
Carignan convicted of first-degree murder of Eileen Hunley; sentenced to life in prison.
Aug 11, 1978
Minnesota Supreme Court upholds Carignan's convictions.
Mar 06, 2023
Carignan dies at age 95 from natural causes at Minnesota Correctional Facility – Oak Park Heights.
Sources
Solve the Case is never the original source. Each item below is the public record a statement on this page rests on, with an archived copy where one exists.
Other · Radford University Department of Psychology ·
Radford University serial killer biography: Carignan, Harvey“Timeline compilation of Harvey Carignan's life and crimes from May 18, 1927 birth through September 24, 1974 arrest.”
News report · Murderpedia ·
Harvey Carignan“On September 8, 1974, Carignan picked up seventeen-year-old June Lynch and sixteen-year-old Lisa King who were hitching rides in Minneapolis.”
News report · Wadena Journal ·
A serial killer died behind bars in 2023. Investigators believe he had more victims“Lora Jean Dugan was found dead near Medora, North Dakota in the spring of 1972. Harvey Carignan remains the only suspect.”
News report · InForum ·
She survived Harvey Carignan's hammer. Her testimony ended his killing spree“A 19-year-old nursing student beaten nearly to death in September 1974 identified Harvey Carignan as her assailant.”
News report · Daily Wire ·
True Crime: Harvey Carignan, 'The Want-Ad Killer,' Dies In Minnesota Prison“He pleaded guilty to killing Schultz and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. He was later convicted of killing Hunley and sentenced to life in prison.”
News report · Star Tribune ·
Serial killer Harvey Carignan dies in Minnesota prison at 95“Carignan was 95 and died of natural causes March 6, the Minnesota Department of Corrections confirmed Wednesday.”
News report · Wikipedia ·
Harvey Carignan“Harvey Louis Carignan was an American serial killer who was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of two women in the early 1970s.”
News report · Prairie Public ·
Harvey Carignan“Harvey Carignan would go on to kill and brutalize at least five, and possibly as many as eighteen, victims.”
News report · Medium ·
Harvey Louis Carignan: American Killer“Previously, Carignan had been convicted of a 1949 rape and murder while serving in the U.S. Army in Anchorage, Alaska.”
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