Offender Record · OFF-2026-105
Keith Jesperson (photo from the Radford University biography)
Keith Hunter Jesperson
Also known as Happy Face Killer
Sex
Male
Race
White
Height
6'6"
Hair
light
Eyes
blue
Born
1955
Custody
Incarcerated
States
NE, WA, AZ, NM, CA, OR
Distinguishing featuresVery tall and large frame; 6 feet 6 inches; approximately 240-255 lbs in adulthood
Custody
Incarcerated at Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem
Custody record at the facility
Imprisoned since 1995, serving multiple consecutive life sentences without possibility of parole.
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
Keith Hunter Jesperson is convicted of murdering at least eight women between January 1990 and March 1995 across six states: Oregon, Washington, California, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Florida. He worked as a long-haul truck driver and targeted victims he encountered at truck stops and along highways, primarily sex workers and transients. He raped most victims and killed them via strangulation, earning the nickname 'Happy Face Killer' for signing anonymous confessions to media outlets with hand-drawn smiley faces. Jesperson is currently serving multiple consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole at the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem.
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.
Murder of Suzanne L. Kjellenberg
Okaloosa County, Florida · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life in prison (consecutive)
Jesperson met 34-year-old Suzanne L. Kjellenberg at a truck stop near Tampa, Florida in August 1994. He offered her a ride after she said she was headed to Lake Tahoe. They drove toward the Florida Panhandle where they stopped at a rest area off Interstate 10. When Kjellenberg screamed while Jesperson sat next to her, panicked by the proximity of a security guard, he strangled her by pushing his fist against her neck until she stopped breathing. He wrapped zip ties around her throat and left her body in a wooded area near Interstate 10. Her remains were discovered in September 1994 but remained unidentified until October 2023 through DNA genealogy. Jesperson was formally charged in October 2023 and pleaded guilty on April 4, 2024.
SourcesOkaloosa County Sheriff's Office - Suzanne Kjellenberg identification; Keith Jesperson
Offense date Jan 21, 1990, Portland, Oregon
Murder of Taunja Bennett
Multnomah County, Oregon · Multnomah County Court · Arrested Mar 30, 1995 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life in prison; minimum 30 years before parole eligibility
Jesperson met a 23-year-old woman at B&I Tavern in Portland, Oregon on January 21, 1990. He invited her to his rented residence where he raped her, punched her head approximately 20 times until her face was unrecognizable, and strangled her to death with a rope. He dumped her body along the Columbia River Gorge. Laverne Pavlinac and John Sosnovske were wrongfully convicted of this murder and imprisoned for nearly six years before Jesperson's 1995 confession and identification of Bennett's purse led to their exoneration.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Jesperson, Keith; Oregon serial killer admits killing eighth victim; A Trail of Bodies — Keith Hunter Jesperson
Offense date Aug 1992, Blythe, California
Murder of unidentified woman (Claudia)
Blythe, California · Arrested Mar 30, 1995 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life in prison (consecutive)
Jesperson raped and strangled an unidentified woman known only as 'Claudia' in July or August 1992 near Blythe, California. He left her body at the scene.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Jesperson, Keith
Offense date Sep 1992, Turlock, California
Murder of Cynthia Lyn Rose
Turlock, California · Arrested Mar 30, 1995 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life in prison (consecutive)
Jesperson strangled Cynthia Lyn Rose in September 1992 in Turlock, California. She had entered his truck at a truck stop while he slept. He claimed she was a sex worker. Body was found by authorities.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Jesperson, Keith
Offense date Nov 1992, Salem, Oregon
Murder of Laurie Ann Pentland
Marion County, Oregon (body found); Hillsboro, Oregon (plea) · Hillsboro Court · Arrested Mar 30, 1995 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life in prison (consecutive)
Jesperson strangled 23-year-old Laurie Ann Pentland in November 1992 in Salem, Oregon. She was a sex worker whom he met at a truck stop. When she tried to increase her fee and threatened to call police, he strangled her and dumped her body behind a retail store.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Jesperson, Keith; New 'Happy Face' Guilty Plea
Offense date Jun 1993, Santa Nella, California
Murder of unidentified woman (Carla/Cindy/Patricia Skiple)
Santa Nella, California · Arrested Mar 30, 1995 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life in prison (consecutive)
Jesperson murdered a woman he called 'Carla' or 'Cindy' in June 1993 in Santa Nella, California. She was identified in 2021 as Patricia Skiple of Colton, Oregon, through DNA genealogy. Body was found along a highway.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Jesperson, Keith
Offense date Sep 14, 1994, Crestview, Florida
Murder of unidentified woman (Susanne)
Crestview, Florida · Arrested Mar 30, 1995 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life in prison (consecutive)
Jesperson murdered an unidentified woman west of Crestview, Florida on September 14, 1994. Jesperson claimed her name was 'Susanne'. Body was found by authorities.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Jesperson, Keith
Offense date Jan 27, 1995, Laramie County, Wyoming
Murder of Angela Subrize
Wyoming (offense); California (conviction) · Arrested Mar 30, 1995 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life in prison (consecutive)
Jesperson picked up 21-year-old Angela Subrize near Spokane, Washington in January 1995. She rode with him in his truck for about a week while he drove toward Indiana. When she repeatedly urged him to hurry to reach her boyfriend, Jesperson raped her and strangled her in Laramie County, Wyoming. He tied her body beneath his truck and dragged it face-down for approximately 10-12 miles before dumping it in Nebraska. Body was found in September 1995.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Jesperson, Keith
Offense date Mar 10, 1995, Washougal, Washington
Murder of Julie Ann Winningham
Clark County, Washington · Clark County Superior Court · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Life in prison; 34 years and 4 months
Jesperson's final known victim was 41-year-old Julie Ann Winningham of Camas, Washington, his fiancée, on March 10, 1995. According to Jesperson, she was interested in him only for his money. He strangled her to death and dumped her body along a state road. This murder led to his capture when police investigated and arrested him on March 22, 1995 (initially released), then he turned himself in on March 24, 1995 after two suicide attempts. Jesperson pleaded guilty on October 18, 1995, in Clark County Superior Court before Judge Robert L. Harris.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Jesperson, Keith; A Trail of Bodies — Keith Hunter Jesperson; Third Murder Sentence For 'Happy Face Killer'
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.
8
Victims convicted
8
Victims confessed
160
Victims suspected
Active years
1990–1995
Stated motive
Sexual, Anger or revenge
Range from home
interstate
Confessed
Yes
Cooperated with investigators
Yes
Education
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.
AZ
Cochise, Arizona
Mar 24, 1995 – Mar 30, 1995 · Wrote incriminating letter to brother Brad confessing to murders; Detective Buckner took custody and returned him to Washington State March 30, 1995
CA
Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada
Apr 1955 – 1967 · Born and raised in Chilliwack until age 12
NE
Washington, Nebraska
approx. 1990 – 1995 · Oregon, California, Florida · Interstate truck driving routes across six states; committed murders while traveling as long-haul trucker
NM
Las Cruces, New Mexico
approx. Mar 22, 1995 – Mar 24, 1995 · Detained by Detective Buckner for 6 hours in Las Cruces; no confession at that time
OR
Salem, Oregon
Nov 1995 – present · Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) in Salem; transferred from Washington after guilty plea; serving multiple consecutive life sentences
WA
Selah, Washington
approx. 1967 – 1975 · Moved from Canada to Washington into trailer park; elementary and middle school
Selah, Washington
approx. 1967 – 1972 · Attended school in Selah; graduated high school rank 161 of 174 in class of 1973
Selah, Washington
approx. 1975 – 1990 · Married Rose Hucke in 1975 (age 20); settled in Selah/Spokane area with three children
Cheney, Washington
approx. 1990 – 1995 · Relocated to Cheney, Washington after divorce from Rose in 1990; operated throughout western states as truck driver
Cheney, Washington
1990 – 1995 · Employed as long-haul truck driver for Systems Transport out of Cheney, Washington; also worked for trucking company in Cheney after divorce
Camas, Washington
Mar 22, 1995 – Mar 24, 1995 · Questioned March 22, 1995 about girlfriend Julie Winningham's murder; released; turned himself in March 24, 1995 after two suicide attempts
Clark, Washington
Mar 30, 1995 – Nov 1995 · Clark County Jail, Washington; held for Julie Winningham murder investigation and subsequent confessions
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.
Long-haul semi-truck
approx. 1990 – 1995
Jesperson tied at least one victim (Angela Subrize) under the truck and dragged her face-down; used truck for victim transportation and disposal
Timeline
Apr 06, 1955
Keith Hunter Jesperson born in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada.
1975
Jesperson married Rose Hucke at age 20; couple had three children.
1990
Jesperson divorced from Rose and relocated to Cheney, Washington to work as long-haul truck driver.
Jan 21, 1990
Jesperson murdered Taunja Bennett, age 23, in Portland, Oregon; his first confirmed victim.
Aug 1992
Jesperson murdered unidentified woman known as 'Claudia' near Blythe, California.
Sep 1992
Jesperson murdered Cynthia Lyn Rose in Turlock, California.
Nov 1992
Jesperson murdered Laurie Ann Pentland, age 23, in Salem, Oregon.
Jun 1993
Jesperson murdered unidentified woman near Santa Nella, California (later identified as Patricia Skiple).
Sep 1994
Jesperson murdered unidentified woman west of Crestview, Florida.
Jan 27, 1995
Jesperson murdered Angela Subrize, age 21, in Laramie County, Wyoming.
Mar 10, 1995
Jesperson murdered Julie Ann Winningham, age 41, in Washougal, Washington; his final and known victim.
Mar 22, 1995
Police questioned Jesperson about Julie Winningham's murder in Camas, Washington and released him.
Mar 22, 1995
Detective Buckner detained Jesperson for 6 hours in Las Cruces, New Mexico with no confession.
Mar 24, 1995
Jesperson wrote incriminating letter to brother Brad confessing to all murders.
Mar 30, 1995
Detective Buckner took Jesperson into custody and returned him to Washington State; Jesperson arrested.
Oct 18, 1995
Jesperson pleaded guilty to murder of Julie Ann Winningham in Clark County Superior Court before Judge Robert L. Harris.
Nov 02, 1995
Jesperson entered no-contest plea for murder of Taunja Bennett before Multnomah County Presiding Judge Donald H. Londer; sentenced to life in prison with 30-year minimum.
Dec 15, 1995
Jesperson pleaded guilty to murder of Laurie Ann Pentland and was sentenced to life in prison.
Dec 19, 1995
Jesperson sentenced for murder of Julie Ann Winningham to life in prison.
Jun 03, 1998
Jesperson sentenced to life in prison for murder of Angela Subrize.
2007
Jesperson pleaded guilty to murder of Patricia Skiple (previously unidentified victim).
Oct 03, 2023
Suzanne L. Kjellenberg identified as Jesperson's eighth victim; Jesperson formally charged with her murder.
Apr 04, 2024
Jesperson pleaded guilty to murder of Suzanne L. Kjellenberg.
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 government record · Wikipedia ·
Keith Hunter Jesperson“Keith Hunter Jesperson (born 6 April 1955) is an American-Canadian serial killer known as the Happy Face Killer; murdered at least eight women between January 1990 and March 1995”
News report · Killer Updates ·
Keith Jesperson“On April 4 2024: Jesperson pled guilty to the murder of Suzanne Kjellenberg – charged with one count of homicide”
News report · KPTV ·
Oregon serial killer admits killing eighth victim“Jesperson's first known victim was Taunja Bennett on 21 January 1990, near Portland, Oregon”
Law enforcement release · Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office ·
Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office - Suzanne Kjellenberg identification“Suzanne L. Kjellenberg identified as victim of Keith Jesperson; Jesperson formally charged with her murder in October 2023”
News report · Crime Library ·
A Trail of Bodies — Keith Hunter Jesperson“In October 1995, Keith Jesperson pleaded guilty to the murder of Julie Ann Winningham before Clark County, Washington Superior Court Judge Robert L. Harris”
Other · Radford University Department of Psychology ·
Radford University serial killer biography: Jesperson, Keith“Keith Hunter Jesperson born April 6, 1955 in Chilliwack, British Columbia; arrested March 30, 1995; convicted October 1995; sentenced to life without parole”
News report · The Spokesman-Review ·
Third Murder Sentence For 'Happy Face Killer'“Keith Hunter Jesperson pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the Camas woman's death; rape and kidnapping charges dismissed as part of plea deal”
News report · Seattle Times ·
New 'Happy Face' Guilty Plea“Keith Jesperson pleaded guilty to strangling Laurie Ann Pentland and was sentenced to life in prison”
Discussion
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