Offender Record · OFF-2026-057
Westley Allan Dodd (photo from the Radford University biography)
Westley Allan Dodd
Also known as The Vancouver Child Killer, Shellie "Lee" Brooks
Sex
Male
Race
White
Born
1961
Custody
Deceased
States
WA, ID, CA, PA, OR
Distinguishing featuresNone documented in public records
Custody
Deceased at Washington State Penitentiary
Custody record at the facility
Executed by hanging on January 5, 1993.
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
Westley Allan Dodd was convicted of three counts of aggravated first-degree murder for sexually assaulting and stabbing to death 11-year-old Cole Neer and 10-year-old William Neer at David Douglas Park in Vancouver, Washington, on September 4, 1989, and for sexually assaulting and strangling 4-year-old Lee Iseli of Portland, Oregon, on October 29-30, 1989. He was arrested on November 13, 1989, after attempting to abduct a 6-year-old boy at a movie theater in Camas, Washington. He pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to death. Dodd was executed by hanging on January 5, 1993, at Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla.
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 1975, Toppenish, Washington
Indecent exposure
Toppenish Police Department · Arrested Jul 1975 · Sentence: Police came but no prosecution; counseling recommended
Dodd exposed himself to approximately 40 children over two months in May-July 1975 while they passed by on their way to school. He began by standing naked in his bedroom window, then rode around the neighborhood flashing young boys.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Dodd, Westley Allan
Offense date Dec 1975, Toppenish, Washington
Indecent exposure
Local police · Arrested Dec 25, 1975 · Sentence: No punishment recorded
After receiving a bicycle as a Christmas present, Dodd exposed himself around town with at least 10 victims during December 1975-January 1976.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Dodd, Westley Allan
Offense date Mar 10, 1977, Richland, Washington
Indecent exposure
Local police · Arrested Mar 10, 1977 · Sentence: Not prosecuted; counseling recommended
Dodd was arrested for exposing himself to two girls ages 8 and 10 but was not prosecuted.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Dodd, Westley Allan
Offense date Aug 1977, Richland, Washington
Attempted indecent liberties with children
Richland Police Department · Arrested Aug 1977 · Sentence: Not prosecuted; counseling recommended
Dodd tricked 3 boys and 3 girls ages 7-10 at Sacajawea Elementary School into playing a guessing game in which he put his penis in each child's hands. He repeated this with 3 additional children.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Dodd, Westley Allan
Offense date May 1982, Seattle, Washington
Attempted indecent liberties with a minor
Seattle Police Department · Arrested May 1982 · Sentence: Charges dropped
Dodd offered several boys $50 each to go into a motel and play strip poker with him. He confessed to police that he planned to molest the children, but charges were dropped for unknown reasons.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Dodd, Westley Allan; WESTLEY ALAN DODD: THE SYSTEM FAILED
Offense date Jun 06, 1982, Richland, Washington
Attempting indecent liberties with a boy
Naval Base Bangor · Navy · Arrested Jun 06, 1982 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Discharged from Navy; 17 days in jail; counseling ordered
While in the Navy and AWOL, Dodd was arrested for asking a 9-year-old boy to disrobe in Richland. He received a general discharge from the service on disciplinary grounds.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Dodd, Westley Allan; Westley Allan Dodd; WESTLEY ALAN DODD: THE SYSTEM FAILED
Offense date Dec 29, 1982, Benton City, Washington
Indecent liberties with a child; gross misdemeanor
Benton City Police Department · Local · Arrested Dec 29, 1982 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: 30 days in jail; counseling ordered
Dodd was arrested for undressing a youngster he lured away from a playground. He pleaded guilty and served 30 days before being released for counseling.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Dodd, Westley Allan; Westley Allan Dodd
Offense date Mar 1983, Clarkston, Washington
Indecent liberties with a child (Clarkston case)
Clarkston Police Department, Washington · Asotin County · Sentence: Never prosecuted; dropped when Dodd arrested for murder in 1989
Dodd was charged with indecent liberties involving the same 9-year-old boy he molested in Lewiston. Asotin County prosecutor never requested extradition after his release, and the charge was not prosecuted until he was arrested for murder in 1989.
SourcesWESTLEY ALAN DODD: THE SYSTEM FAILED; Families of Dodd's Victims Plan to File Lawsuit
Offense date Mar 1983, Lewiston, Idaho
Lewd conduct with a minor
Lewiston Police Department, Idaho · Nez Perce County District Court · Arrested Jun 1984 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: 10 years commuted to 1 year in jail; suspended sentence; counseling ordered
Dodd molested a 9-year-old boy in March and April 1983. He was arrested in May 1984 after the boy's mother reported the molestation. Judge John H. Maynard sentenced him to 10 years but commuted it to 1 year in Nez Perce County Jail. Dodd served only 4 months and was released to counseling.
SourcesWESTLEY ALAN DODD: THE SYSTEM FAILED; Westley Allan Dodd; Families of Dodd's Victims Plan to File Lawsuit
Offense date Jun 1987, Seattle, Washington
Attempted first-degree unlawful imprisonment / attempted unlawful detention
King County Sheriff's Office, Washington · King County Superior Court · Arrested Jun 13, 1987 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Gross misdemeanor; 1 year in King County Jail suspended; 118 days served; counseling ordered
Dodd tried to lure a boy into an abandoned building while working as a security guard at a construction site. The child ran and told his mother, who called police. Dodd's car contained a briefcase with a knife, rope, pictures of nude children, and a written plan for kidnapping and murder, but police never found these items. Charged with attempted first-degree kidnapping but convicted of the lesser offense of attempted unlawful imprisonment, a gross misdemeanor.
SourcesWESTLEY ALAN DODD: THE SYSTEM FAILED; Westley Allan Dodd; State v. Dodd :: 1992 :: Washington Supreme Court Decisions; Families of Dodd's Victims Plan to File Lawsuit
Offense date Sep 04, 1989, Vancouver, Washington
Aggravated first-degree murder (3 counts)
Clark County Sheriff's Office, Washington · Clark County Superior Court · RCW 9A.32.030 · Arrested Nov 13, 1989 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Death by hanging (3 consecutive sentences)
Dodd encountered 11-year-old Cole Neer and 10-year-old William (Billy) Neer at David Douglas Park on September 4, 1989, while they were riding bikes. He convinced them to go with him, forced them to undress, tied them to a tree, and performed sexual acts on them both. He then stabbed them repeatedly with a knife. Cole was dead at the scene; Billy died en route to the hospital. Police arrived before Billy died but he was unable to describe what happened.
SourcesState v. Dodd :: 1992 :: Washington Supreme Court Decisions; Radford University serial killer biography: Dodd, Westley Allan; Westley Dodd: A Long, Steady Slide Into Dark Desperation
Offense date Oct 29, 1989, Vancouver, Washington
Aggravated first-degree murder (1 count)
Clark County Sheriff's Office, Washington · Clark County Superior Court · RCW 9A.32.030 · Arrested Nov 13, 1989 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Death by hanging (consecutive)
On October 29, 1989, Dodd picked up 4-year-old Lee Iseli from Richmond School Playground in Portland, Oregon. He lured the child by telling him he would drive him home. Dodd took Lee to his east Vancouver apartment, where he sexually assaulted and photographed the boy. On October 30, Dodd strangled Lee while he was sleeping, then hung his body in a tiny closet by a rope and took photographs. He dumped Lee's body in a trash bag near Vancouver Lake. Dodd kept Lee's Ghostbusters underwear as a souvenir. The body was found on November 1, 1989.
SourcesState v. Dodd :: 1992 :: Washington Supreme Court Decisions; Westley Dodd: A Long, Steady Slide Into Dark Desperation; Radford University serial killer biography: Dodd, Westley Allan
Offense date Nov 13, 1989, Camas, Washington
Attempted aggravated first-degree murder / attempted kidnapping
Camas Police Department, Washington · Clark County Superior Court · Arrested Nov 13, 1989 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Death by hanging (concurrent with murder convictions)
On November 13, 1989, Dodd attempted to abduct a 6-year-old boy from a movie theater restroom at the New Liberty Theater in Camas, Washington. The child's mother's boyfriend, William Graves, chased Dodd, who jumped in his car. The car broke down less than two blocks from the theater, and Graves subdued Dodd until police arrived.
SourcesWestley Allan Dodd; Arrest made in three child murders; State v. Dodd :: 1992 :: Washington Supreme Court Decisions
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
3
Victims confessed
0
Victims suspected
Active years
1975–1989
Victim profile
Children, Young women, Strangers
Stated motive
Sexual, Power or control
Range from home
regional
Confessed
Yes
Cooperated with investigators
Yes
Education
high school
Marital history
Never married
Children
0
Military discharge
other than honorable
Died
1993-01-05 · executed
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.
CA
San Diego, California
Sep 1981 – Dec 1981 · U.S. Navy boot camp; graduated in top 10% of class · navy
ID
Lewiston, Idaho
approx. Feb 1983 – 1986 · Lived with his father; moved there after Navy discharge
Lewiston, Idaho
approx. 1984 – 1986 · Taco Time
OR
Portland, Oregon
Oct 1989 – Oct 1989 · Richmond School playground where he abducted Lee Iseli
PA
Bangor, Pennsylvania
Dec 1981 – Jun 1982 · Submarine base duty; assigned to submarine duty · navy
WA
Toppenish, Washington
approx. 1961 – 1975 · Childhood home; born July 3, 1961
Richland, Washington
approx. 1975 – 1982 · Lived in Richland during teen years and early adulthood
Richland, Washington
approx. 1981 – 1982 · Red Lion Motor Inn
Clarkston, Washington
Mar 1983 – Feb 1984 · Circle K store night manager
Seattle, Washington
approx. 1986 – 1987 · Security guard at construction site
Kennewick, Washington
approx. 1986 – 1986 · Temporary residence after leaving Idaho
Seattle, Washington
approx. Aug 1986 – Jun 1987 · Lived in Renton area
Seattle, Washington
approx. Oct 1986 – Jun 1987 · Worked at unspecified construction site while living in Renton
Vancouver, Washington
Aug 1989 – Nov 1989 · East Vancouver apartment; moved from Seattle area
Vancouver, Washington
Sep 1989 – Nov 1989 · Pac Paper Company; shipping clerk
Vancouver, Washington
Sep 1989 – Oct 1989 · David Douglas Park (1 mile from apartment); identified as hunting ground
Walla Walla, Washington
Nov 13, 1989 – Jan 05, 1993 · Death row; executed by hanging
Timeline
Jul 03, 1961
Westley Allan Dodd was born in Toppenish, Washington.
May 1975
Dodd began exposing himself to young children, accumulating approximately 40 victims over two months.
Jul 1975
Police came to Dodd's house after reports of indecent exposure but he was not punished.
Dec 1975
Dodd received a bicycle for Christmas and began flashing around town with at least 10 additional victims.
Mar 10, 1977
Dodd was arrested for exposing himself to two girls ages 8 and 10 but was not prosecuted.
Aug 1977
Dodd was reported to police after tricking 6 children at Sacajawea Elementary School into a guessing game involving his exposed penis.
1979
Dodd graduated from high school.
Aug 1981
At age 20, Dodd attempted to abduct two girls ages 11 and 7, who reported him to police; no action was taken.
Sep 1981
Dodd enlisted in the United States Navy and was assigned to boot camp in San Diego, California, where he graduated in the top 10% of his class.
Dec 1981
Dodd was stationed at the submarine base in Bangor, Washington, where he began sexually abusing children living on base and in Seattle movie theater bathrooms.
May 1982
Dodd was arrested after offering boys $50 each to go to a motel and play strip poker; charges were dropped.
Jun 06, 1982
Dodd was arrested for attempting indecent liberties with a 9-year-old boy in Richland, Washington.
Dec 29, 1982
Dodd was arrested in Benton City, Washington, for undressing a youngster he lured from a playground.
Dec 30, 1982
Dodd was arrested and discharged from the Navy for attempting indecent liberties; served 17 days in jail and was ordered to seek counseling.
Jan 1983
Dodd pleaded guilty to the Benton City charge and served 30 days in jail before release for counseling.
Feb 1983
Dodd moved to Lewiston, Idaho, to live with his father.
Mar 1983
Dodd molested a 9-year-old boy in Lewiston, Idaho; the same child he would be charged with molesting in Clarkston.
May 1984
Dodd was arrested in Lewiston, Idaho, for lewd conduct with a minor after the boy's mother reported the molestation.
Aug 1984
Dodd served only 4 months of his 1-year sentence and was released to seek counseling.
Aug 01, 1984
Dodd was convicted of lewd conduct with a minor and sentenced to 10 years, commuted to 1 year in Nez Perce County Jail on condition of counseling.
1986
Dodd returned to Washington state, first living in Kennewick, then moving to Seattle.
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.
News report · All That's Interesting ·
Inside The Heinous Crimes Of Westley Allan Dodd“Westley Allan Dodd claimed he sexually abused as many as 175 children over the course of 15 years.”
News report · Wikipedia ·
Westley Allan Dodd“Westley Allan Dodd (July 3, 1961 – January 5, 1993) was an American convicted serial killer and sex offender who sexually assaulted and murdered three young boys in Vancouver, Washington, in 1989.”
News report · Marler Clark ·
Families of Dodd's Victims Plan to File Lawsuit“Von Cleve examined Dodd in November 1987, after he was convicted in King County of attempted unlawful detainment, a misdemeanor. Dodd tried to lure a 6-year-old boy inside a vacant building, but the child ran and told his mother, who called police.”
Other government record · Find a Grave ·
Westley Allan Dodd (1961-1993) - Find a Grave Memorial“He was arrested on November 13th 1989 (Age 28), convicted on July 15th 1990 (Age 29), sentenced to death by hanging at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington, US.”
News report · Murderpedia ·
Westley Allan Dodd“On December 29, 1982, Dodd was jailed again, this time in Benton City, Washington, for undressing a youngster he lured away from a playground. He pled guilty on that charge in January 1983, and served a total of thirty days before he was released to seek court-ordered counseling.”
Other · Radford University, Department of Psychology ·
Radford University serial killer biography: Dodd, Westley Allan“Westley Allan Dodd was born in Toppenish, Washington on 07/03/1961 and would be the oldest of three children. Timeline from age 0 through 28 detailing criminal history.”
News report · Lewiston Morning Tribune ·
WESTLEY ALAN DODD: THE SYSTEM FAILED“In June 1987, he was arrested for first-degree attempted kidnapping after trying to lure a boy into an abandoned building in Seattle. The charge was reduced to attempted unlawful imprisonment and Dodd was sentenced to one year in the county jail, which was suspended on condition he complete a sexual deviancy program.”
News report · TIME Magazine ·
Westley Allan Dodd Case: Execution's Lessons 25 Years Later“When child molester and killer Westley Allan Dodd was hanged on Jan. 5, 1993, it marked the first legal hanging in the U.S. since 1965.”
News report · Seattle Times ·
Westley Dodd: A Long, Steady Slide Into Dark Desperation“Lan Remme, who interviewed Dodd for a pre-sentence report, believed he met the legal criteria defining a 'sexual psychopath,' and recommended that Dodd be sentenced to four years in the Washington State Hospital's sexual-psychopath program.”
Court record · Washington Supreme Court ·
State v. Dodd :: 1992 :: Washington Supreme Court Decisions“On September 4, 1989, the bodies of 11-year-old Cole Neer and 10-year-old Billy Neer were discovered in David Douglas Park, Vancouver. Both boys sustained multiple stab wounds.”
News report · United Press International ·
Arrest made in three child murders“Dodd was apprehended Monday after he allegedly tried to abduct the 6-year-old from the New Liberty Theater in Camas, Wash., said Clark County Criminal Prosecutor Art Curtis.”
Discussion
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