Offender Record · OFF-2026-058
Dale Wayne Eaton (photo from the Radford University biography)
Dale Wayne Eaton
Sex
Male
Race
White
Height
5'8"
Weight
325 lbs
Hair
Brown
Eyes
Brown
Born
1945
Custody
Incarcerated
States
WY, CO, UT
Custody
Incarcerated at Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution · #22903
Custody record at the facility
Sentenced to life imprisonment without parole or commutation in March 2022; original death sentence imposed March 20, 2004, vacated November 20, 2014.
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
Dale Wayne Eaton was convicted in 2004 of the first-degree premeditated murder, aggravated kidnapping, first-degree sexual assault, and aggravated robbery of an 18-year-old woman in Wyoming in 1988. The victim was kidnapped, raped, and murdered; her body was found in the North Platte River. Eaton was originally sentenced to death in 2004, but his death sentence was vacated in 2014 due to inadequate legal representation. He was re-sentenced to life without parole in 2022. Eaton is currently incarcerated at the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution in Torrington.
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 Mar 25, 1988, Fremont County, Wyoming
Aggravated robbery
Natrona County District Court, Wyoming · Natrona County District Court · Docket 7th Judicial District · Wyoming robbery statute · Arrested Jul 2002 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Concurrent with first-degree murder sentence
The victim's vehicle was stolen and later buried on Eaton's property, where it was recovered in 2002.
SourcesEaton found guilty in murder of Billings teen; Eaton v. Pacheco, No. 15-8013 (10th Cir. 2019)
Offense date Mar 25, 1988, Fremont County, Wyoming
First-degree sexual assault
Natrona County District Court, Wyoming · Natrona County District Court · Docket 7th Judicial District · Wyoming sexual assault statute · Arrested Jul 2002 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Concurrent with first-degree murder sentence
Victim was raped and subjected to violent sexual assaults during the six days of captivity. DNA evidence from semen found on victim's undergarments linked Eaton to the crime in 2002.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Eaton, Dale Wayne; Eaton found guilty in murder of Billings teen; Eaton v. Pacheco, No. 15-8013 (10th Cir. 2019); 'Can You Remember Her Screams?' — Dale Wayne Eaton Finally Sentenced
Offense date Mar 25, 1988, Fremont County, Wyoming
Aggravated kidnapping
Natrona County District Court, Wyoming · Natrona County District Court · Docket 7th Judicial District · Wyoming kidnapping statute · Arrested Jul 2002 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: 40-50 years consecutive to first-degree murder sentence, imposed 2022-03-25
Victim was kidnapped at Waltman Rest Stop and held captive for approximately six days before being murdered.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Eaton, Dale Wayne; Lil' Miss murder; Eaton found guilty in murder of Billings teen; Eaton v. Pacheco, No. 15-8013 (10th Cir. 2019)
Offense date Mar 31, 1988, Fremont County, Wyoming
First-degree premeditated murder
Natrona County District Court, Wyoming · Natrona County District Court · Docket 7th Judicial District · Wyoming homicide statute · Arrested Jul 2002 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life without parole; originally sentenced to death on 2004-03-20, death sentence vacated 2014-11-20, re-sentenced to life without parole 2022-03-25 with consecutive 40-50 years for felony murder counts
Victim was an 18-year-old woman kidnapped at a rest stop on US Highway 20/26 in Fremont County. She was transported to Eaton's converted school bus near Moneta, Wyoming, where she was raped and sexually assaulted for approximately six days. On the sixth day, Eaton drove her approximately 70 miles to Old Government Bridge over the North Platte River, where he struck her on the head with a lead pipe and stabbed her six times in vital organs before dumping her body in the river. Her body was recovered approximately 8 days after her abduction and found in the North Platte River.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Eaton, Dale Wayne; Lil' Miss murder; Victim's family shares their anger as Dale Wayne Eaton sentenced to life; Eaton found guilty in murder of Billings teen; Eaton v. Pacheco, No. 15-8013 (10th Cir. 2019); Eaton guilty in Kimmell killing: Jury must now decide if Wyoming man should be executed; Convicted murderer Dale Wayne Eaton re-sentenced 30 years after disappearance of Lisa Marie Kimmel
Offense date Sep 12, 1997, Red Desert, Wyoming
Attempted kidnapping at gunpoint
Federal Wyoming Highway Patrol; Federal Bureau of Investigation · U.S. District Court · Federal weapons statute · Arrested Sep 12, 1997 · Charged (pending) Charged (pending) · Sentence: Pleaded guilty to assault charge; 99 days jail time served, 2-5 years suspended sentence, halfway house placement with conditions including full-time employment requirement, no drug/alcohol possession, mental health evaluation and counseling
Eaton stopped to offer assistance to the Breeden family whose vehicle had broken down on Interstate 80 near Rock Springs. When they accepted his offer to drive them to a repair facility, he pulled a rifle on them and attempted to abduct them at gunpoint. The family's husband fought back with a rifle and knife; the family escaped and contacted police. Eaton initially escaped but was recaptured in Shoshone National Forest. DNA from this arrest was entered into the CODIS database and led to his connection to the 1988 Kimmell murder.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Eaton, Dale Wayne; Lil' Miss murder; The disturbing disappearance of runner Amy Wroe Bechtel in Wyoming; Eaton v. Wilson - Habeas Corpus Petition
Offense date Sep 03, 2001, Federal correctional facility (Englewood Federal Prison, Littleton, Colorado)
Involuntary manslaughter (cellmate)
Federal Bureau of Prisons · Arrested Sep 03, 2001 · Sentence: Acquitted
Eaton killed his cellmate in a federal prison during 2001 while serving time on weapons charges. The cellmate died from a ruptured vertebral artery. Eaton was charged with involuntary manslaughter but was acquitted.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Eaton, Dale Wayne; Lisa Marie Kimmell - Unidentified/Unsolved Mysteries; The murder of Lisa Kimmell
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.
1
Victims convicted
0
Victims confessed
7
Victims suspected
Active years
1988–2001
Victim profile
Young women, Strangers
Stated motive
Sexual
Range from home
interstate
Education
some high school
Marital history
Married, Divorced
Children
3
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.
CO
Colorado
approx. 1945 – 1960 · Rocky Mountains · Childhood residence; specific location not identified in records
Meeker, Colorado
approx. 1945 – 1961 · Family moved to Meeker during Eaton's childhood
Greeley, Colorado
approx. 1961 – 1962 · Moved when mother was hospitalized; attended high school here
Fountain, Colorado
approx. 1961 – 1964 · Lookout Mountain School for Boys - reform school; held for assault with deadly weapon and theft
Buena Vista, Colorado
approx. 1964 – 1964 · Colorado Buena Vista Correctional Facility - jail time for theft
Colorado
approx. 1970 – 1971 · Productive employment; helped build church; member of Operating Engineer's Union
Colorado
approx. 1971 – 1986 · Married to Melody; had two sons and one daughter; lived with friend after losing job
Littleton, Colorado
approx. 1998 – 2002 · Englewood Federal Prison - federal weapons charge; still incarcerated when DNA matched to Kimmell case in 2002
UT
Salt Lake City, Utah
approx. Jan 03, 1989 – Apr 1989 · Traveled with uncle's son Billy; stayed in Clearfield and Elko areas; worked and dated
WY
Moneta, Wyoming
approx. 1987 – 1998 · Lived on uncle's property in converted 1950s school bus with propane stove and small bed
Moneta, Wyoming
approx. 1987 – 1997 · Part-time jobs and scavenging; became proficient at hunting and using a knife
Wyoming
approx. 1988 – 1989 · Oiler for construction company during the time of the Kimmell murder
Wyoming
approx. 1989 – 1992 · Worked at Gas Hills, Jeff City, and Denver areas
Wyoming
approx. 1994 – 1995 · Purchased Ford truck in Riverton; installed phone in Evanston; traveled North stopping in Worland and Thermopolis in summer; went to Idaho Falls and Denver in winter
Wyoming
approx. 1997 – Jun 1998 · Detained after Breeden family assault; served 99 days in jail; released to halfway house
Wyoming
Sep 12, 1997 – Sep 12, 1997 · Red Desert · Arrested for attempted kidnapping of Breeden family at gunpoint
Wyoming
approx. Apr 23, 1998 – Jun 16, 1998 · Halfway house placement with work requirement; drove off in van and became fugitive
Wyoming
Jul 30, 1998 – Jul 30, 1998 · Recaptured by Officer Bill Long; found with rifle in vehicle; sent to federal prison
Casper, Wyoming
approx. 2002 – 2003 · Transferred to Wyoming state custody after Kimmell DNA match; held at Natrona County Jail during trial
Torrington, Wyoming
approx. 2004 – present · Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution; WDOC Inmate Number 22903
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.
1985 off-green Dodge van – Off-green 1985 Dodge van used in 1997 Breeden kidnapping attempt
1997 – 1998
Used to kidnap Breeden family; returned to Eaton after plea agreement; left in van on June 16, 1998, became fugitive
1994 Ford truck – Ford truck purchased in Riverton, Wyoming in January 1994; used for travel with phone installation
approx. 1994 – 1997
Purchased in Riverton; phone installed in Evanston; used for extensive travel throughout Wyoming
Timeline
Feb 10, 1945
Dale Wayne Eaton born.
1961
Eaton caught committing assault with deadly weapon and theft; sent to Lookout Mountain School for Boys juvenile detention facility.
1961
Eaton moved to Greeley, Colorado; received first psychiatric evaluation.
1964
Eaton released from reform school at age 19 after learning welding.
1979
Melody filed for divorce from Eaton.
1986
Eaton and Melody divorced; Eaton threatened suicide and received psychiatric evaluation, diagnosed with depression and thought disorder.
1987
Eaton moved to uncle's property in Moneta, Wyoming, living in a converted school bus.
Mar 25, 1988
Eaton abducted 18-year-old woman at Waltman Rest Stop.
Mar 31, 1988
Eaton murdered abducted victim by striking her with lead pipe and stabbing her six times near Old Government Bridge; dumped body in North Platte River.
Apr 02, 1988
Victim's body found in North Platte River near Casper, Wyoming.
1997
Eaton's DNA profile entered into CODIS database following kidnapping arrest.
Sep 12, 1997
Eaton arrested for Breeden family kidnapping attempt.
Sep 12, 1997
Eaton attempted to kidnap Breeden family at gunpoint in Red Desert, Wyoming; family fought back and escaped.
Apr 23, 1998
Eaton pleaded guilty to Breeden family assault; received suspended sentence, 99 days served, released to halfway house with conditions.
Jun 16, 1998
Eaton drove away in van from halfway house; warrant issued for arrest.
Jul 30, 1998
Eaton recaptured by Officer Bill Long with rifle in vehicle; sent to federal prison.
Sep 03, 2001
Eaton killed cellmate in federal prison; charged with manslaughter but acquitted.
Jul 2002
DNA from victim's rape kit matched Eaton in CODIS database; victim's vehicle found buried on Eaton's property in Moneta.
Apr 17, 2003
Eaton formally charged with abduction, first-degree murder, premeditated murder, aggravated robbery, first-degree sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, and aggravated kidnapping.
Mar 03, 2004
Trial began for Eaton in Natrona County District Court.
Mar 17, 2004
Jury returned guilty verdict on all charges.
Mar 20, 2004
Jury sentenced Eaton to death.
May 2004
Judge added additional life sentence to death sentence as contingency if overturned on appeal.
Aug 18, 2008
Appellate court ruled on Eaton's appeal addressing ineffective assistance of counsel, juror misconduct, and prosecutorial conduct; affirmed convictions and death sentence.
2013
Eaton petitioned federal district court for Writ of Habeas Corpus.
Nov 20, 2014
Federal Judge Alan B. Johnson vacated Eaton's death sentence, finding trial counsel ineffective for failing to investigate background and mental health during penalty phase.
Jul 23, 2019
Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed lower court decision vacating death sentence.
2020
U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Eaton's appeal.
Mar 25, 2022
Eaton re-sentenced to life imprisonment without parole or commutation, plus consecutive 40-50 years for felony murder counts.
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 · Unsolved Mysteries Fandom ·
Lisa Marie Kimmell - Unidentified/Unsolved Mysteries“He was also charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of his cellmate, Clay Palmer, but was acquitted.”
Other government record · Wyoming Department of Corrections ·
Wyoming DOC Offender Details - Dale Wayne Eaton“Name: Eaton, Dale Wayne; WDOC Inmate Number: 22903; Status: Inmate; Current Offense: 1st Degree Murder; Sentence Date: 5/20/2004; Length of Sentence: Life; Correctional Facility: Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution.”
News report · Wyoming Public Media ·
Dale Wayne Eaton - Wyoming Public Media“The Fremont County Sheriff's Office says it believes Dale Wayne Eaton, Wyoming's only death row inmate, may have had a role in the 1997 disappearance of Amy Wroe-Bechtel.”
News report · Strange Outdoors ·
The disturbing disappearance of runner Amy Wroe Bechtel in Wyoming“Eaton stopped his off-green '85 Dodge van and assisted them. He asked Shannon to drive. Eaton then pulled a rifle from the back of the van, kidnapped the family at gunpoint.”
News report · Wikipedia ·
Lil' Miss murder“Eaton was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death in 2004. His death sentence has since been commuted to life imprisonment.”
Other · Radford University Department of Psychology ·
Radford University serial killer biography: Eaton, Dale Wayne“Dale Wayne Eaton born February 10, 1945; charged with first degree murder, premeditated murder, aggravated robbery, first degree sexual assault, second degree sexual assault, and aggravated kidnapping in the Kimmell case.”
News report · Crime and Coffee Couple ·
The murder of Lisa Kimmell“Dale Wayne Eaton is currently 81-years-old & incarcerated at the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution.”
News report · K2 Radio ·
'Can You Remember Her Screams?' — Dale Wayne Eaton Finally Sentenced“Eaton was convicted in 2004 for the 1988 rape and murder of Lisa Marie Kimmell thanks to DNA evidence and her vehicle being found buried on Eaton's property.”
News report · Sheridan Media ·
Dale Eaton Sentenced To Life In Prison Without Parole For Murder Of Lisa Marie Kimmell“Dale Wayne Eaton was re-sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus an additional 40-50 years afterwards, for the first degree murder, kidnapping, robbery and 1st degree sexual assault of Kimmell.”
News report · Oil City News ·
Convicted murderer Dale Wayne Eaton re-sentenced 30 years after disappearance of Lisa Marie Kimmel“Dale Wayne Eaton, who was found guilty in 2004 of the premeditated murder, rape and kidnapping of Lisa Marie Kimmell was formally re-sentenced at a hearing in the 7th District Court in Casper on Friday, March 25.”
News report · Casper Star-Herald ·
Victim's family shares their anger as Dale Wayne Eaton sentenced to life“Nearly two decades after being sentenced to death, Dale Wayne Eaton was ordered Friday to spend the rest of his life in prison without the chance of parole or commutation.”
Court record · U.S. Supreme Court ·
Eaton v. Pacheco - Petition Appendix“More than a decade after the crimes occurred, Dale Eaton was tried for and convicted of the kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery, and murder of Lisa Kimmell.”
Court record · Justia / U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ·
Eaton v. Pacheco, No. 15-8013 (10th Cir. 2019)“The jury found Eaton guilty of first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, aggravated kidnapping, first-degree sexual assault, and aggravated robbery.”
Court record · U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming ·
Eaton v. Wilson - Habeas Corpus Petition“Dale W. Eaton, Petitioner, is an inmate incarcerated at the Wyoming Department of Corrections State Penitentiary.”
News report · Billings Gazette ·
Eaton guilty in Kimmell killing: Jury must now decide if Wyoming man should be executed“Dale Wayne Eaton was found guilty Wednesday of the kidnapping, rape and murder of 18-year-old Lisa Marie Kimmell in 1988.”
News report · Helena Independent Record ·
Eaton found guilty in murder of Billings teen“Dale Wayne Eaton on Wednesday was found guilty of the kidnap, rape and murder of 18-year-old Lisa Marie Kimmell in 1988.”
Discussion
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