Offender Record · OFF-2026-193
Robert Lee Yates (photo from the Radford University biography)
Robert Lee Yates Jr.
Sex
Male
Race
White
Born
1952
Custody
Incarcerated
States
WA, NY, DE, AL
Custody
Incarcerated at Washington State Penitentiary · #817529
Custody record at the facility
Serving two life sentences without possibility of parole plus 408 years (death sentence commuted to life on October 11, 2018, when Washington Supreme Court ruled capital punishment unconstitutional).
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. Where a record says named by police, no charge was ever filed: the record rests on a law enforcement agency's public identification of the deceased person, cited below. Not guilty by reason of insanity means the court found the act proven but the person not criminally responsible. 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
Robert Lee Yates Jr., born May 27, 1952, in Oak Harbor, Washington, is a convicted serial killer who pleaded guilty to 13 counts of first-degree murder and 1 count of attempted first-degree murder in Spokane County in 2000, and was convicted of 2 counts of aggravated first-degree murder in Pierce County in 2002. Yates admitted to murdering at least 16 people, mostly sex workers, in Washington state between 1975 and 1998 using a .25-caliber handgun. He is currently incarcerated at Washington State Penitentiary serving life without parole after his death sentence was commuted in 2018.
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 13, 1975, Walla Walla County, Washington
First degree murder (Patrick Oliver)
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney · Spokane County Superior Court · Arrested Apr 18, 2000 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: 20 years (part of 408-year aggregate)
Patrick Oliver, 21, was shot three times in the head during a picnic at Mill Creek near Walla Walla. His body was concealed under brush.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Yates, Robert Lee
Offense date Jul 13, 1975, Walla Walla County, Washington
First degree murder (Susan Savage)
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney · Spokane County Superior Court · Arrested Apr 18, 2000 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: 20 years (part of 408-year aggregate)
Susan Savage, 22, was shot with her companion Patrick Oliver on a picnic near Mill Creek in Walla Walla County. Yates confessed to this 1975 murder as part of his plea bargain.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Yates, Robert Lee
Offense date Jul 07, 1988, Skagit County, Washington
First degree murder (Stacy E. Hawn)
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney · Spokane County Superior Court · Arrested Apr 18, 2000 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: included in 408-year aggregate
Stacy Elizabeth Hawn, 23, a sex worker from Seattle, was shot once in the head while on military leave. Her skeletal remains were found December 28, 1988, near Big Lake in Skagit County.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Yates, Robert Lee; The Grocery Bag Killer
Offense date Jun 14, 1996, Spokane, Washington
First degree murder (Shannon Zielinski)
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney · Spokane County Superior Court · Arrested Apr 18, 2000 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: included in 408-year aggregate
Shannon Zielinski, 38, body found June 14, 1996, at Holcomb Road and Mount Spokane Park Drive.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Yates, Robert Lee
Offense date Aug 25, 1996, Spokane, Washington
First degree murder (Patricia Barnes)
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney · Spokane County Superior Court · Arrested Apr 18, 2000 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: included in 408-year aggregate
Patricia Barnes, 60, a street walker not known to be a prostitute, body found August 25, 1996.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Yates, Robert Lee
Offense date Aug 26, 1997, Spokane, Washington
First degree murder (Jennifer Joseph)
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney · Spokane County Superior Court · Arrested Apr 18, 2000 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: included in 408-year aggregate
Jennifer Joseph, 16, a runaway from Tacoma working as a prostitute, body found August 26, 1997, northeast of Spokane. Evidence found in Yates' 1977 Corvette led to his arrest.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Yates, Robert Lee
Offense date Aug 26, 1997, Spokane, Washington
First degree murder (Heather Hernandez)
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney · Spokane County Superior Court · Arrested Apr 18, 2000 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: included in 408-year aggregate
Heather Hernandez, 20, a prostitute, body found August 26, 1997, on Springfield Road.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Yates, Robert Lee
Offense date Sep 01, 1997, Spokane, Washington
First degree murder (Darla Sue Scott)
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney · Spokane County Superior Court · Arrested Apr 18, 2000 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: included in 408-year aggregate
Darla Sue Scott, 29, a prostitute and drug addict with history of sex work, remains found November 5, 1997, in shallow grave near Hangman Valley Road with plastic bags in grave.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Yates, Robert Lee
Offense date Dec 07, 1997, Tacoma, Washington
First degree murder (Melinda Lee Mercer)
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney / Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney · Pierce County Superior Court · Arrested Apr 18, 2000 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Death (commuted to life without parole in 2018)
Melinda Mercer, 24, reportedly a waitress, shot multiple times with four plastic bags covering her head. Body found December 7, 1997, in Tacoma area. Tried separately in Pierce County where prosecution sought death penalty.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Yates, Robert Lee
Offense date Dec 18, 1997, Spokane, Washington
First degree murder (Shawn Johnson)
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney · Spokane County Superior Court · Arrested Apr 18, 2000 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: included in 408-year aggregate
Shawn Johnson, 36, a bartender/waitress and drug addict, body found December 18, 1997, on Hangman Valley Road with plastic bag over head.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Yates, Robert Lee
Offense date Dec 26, 1997, Spokane, Washington
First degree murder (Laurie Ann Wason)
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney · Spokane County Superior Court · Arrested Apr 18, 2000 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: included in 408-year aggregate
Laurie Ann Wason, 31, formerly an adult-care home operator, prostitute and drug addict, body found December 26, 1997, near 14th and Carnahan with three plastic bags around head.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Yates, Robert Lee
Offense date Feb 08, 1998, Spokane, Washington
First degree murder (Sunny G. Oster)
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney · Spokane County Superior Court · Arrested Apr 18, 2000 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: included in 408-year aggregate
Sunny G. Oster, 41, mother of two, prostitute and drug addict, remains found February 8, 1998, south of Spokane with three plastic bags around head.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Yates, Robert Lee
Offense date Apr 01, 1998, Spokane, Washington
First degree murder (Linda Maybin)
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney · Spokane County Superior Court · Arrested Apr 18, 2000 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: included in 408-year aggregate
Linda Maybin, 34, prostitute, remains found April 1, 1998, near 14th and Carnahan with plastic bag over head.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Yates, Robert Lee
Offense date May 12, 1998, Spokane, Washington
First degree murder (Melody Ann Murfin)
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney · Spokane County Superior Court · Arrested Apr 18, 2000 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: included in 408-year aggregate
Melody Ann Murfin, 43, drug addict, reported missing May 12, 1998. Body discovered October 16, 2000, buried under Yates' bedroom window at 600 S. Napa after Yates provided location.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Yates, Robert Lee
Offense date Jul 07, 1998, Spokane, Washington
First degree murder (Michelyn Derning)
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney · Spokane County Superior Court · Arrested Apr 18, 2000 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: included in 408-year aggregate
Michelyn Derning, 47, prostitute and drug addict, body found July 7, 1998, naked and shot in the head in vacant lot at 218 N. Crestline in Spokane's East Central neighborhood.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Yates, Robert Lee
Offense date Aug 01, 1998, Spokane, Washington
Attempted first degree murder (Christine Lanae Smith)
Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney · Spokane County Superior Court · Arrested Apr 18, 2000 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: included in 408-year aggregate
Christine Lanae Smith, working as a prostitute, was shot in the head on August 1, 1998, during a sex act in Yates' van. She survived and reported the assault and robbery to police.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Yates, Robert Lee
Offense date Oct 13, 1998, Tacoma, Washington
First degree murder (Connie LaFontaine Ellis)
Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney · Pierce County Superior Court · Arrested Apr 18, 2000 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Death (commuted to life without parole in 2018)
Connie LaFontaine Ellis, 35, prostitute, body found October 13, 1998, in South Tacoma with plastic bag over head. Tried separately in Pierce County where prosecution sought death penalty.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Yates, Robert Lee
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.
15
Victims convicted
16
Victims confessed
Active years
1975–1998
Range from home
regional
Confessed
Yes
Cooperated with investigators
Yes
Education
high school
Marital history
Married
Children
5
Military discharge
honorable
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.
AL
Fort Rucker, Alabama
Jul 10, 1977 – 1980 · Warrant officer basic course, helicopter pilot training, various aviation training battalions · army
Fort Rucker, Alabama
Jan 1984 – Jan 1988 · Various aviation training battalions, instructor pilot · army
Fort Rucker, Alabama
1995 – Apr 1996 · Graduated Instructor pilot course August 1995, taught helicopter pilots · army
DE
Hanau, Hesse, Germany
Jan 1980 – Jan 1984 · Stationed in Europe as helicopter pilot, 503rd Aviation Unit · army
Göppingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
May 1988 – May 1991 · Stationed in Europe, helicopter pilot with 1st Infantry Division · army
NY
Fort Drum, New York
1991 – 1995 · Flew helicopters, taught others to fly · army
WA
Oak Harbor, Washington
1952 – 1970 · Oak Harbor High School, graduated 1970
Oak Harbor, Washington
1952 – 1970 · Raised in middle-class family in Whidbey Island
Walla Walla, Washington
Jun 1975 – Oct 1975 · Washington State Penitentiary, corrections officer/prison guard, 3-4 months
Seattle, Washington
Oct 04, 1976 – Oct 04, 1976 · Enlisted in U.S. Army · army
Spokane, Washington
Apr 1996 – Apr 18, 2000 · Family moved to Spokane area after Yates' early retirement from Army, residence at 2220 East 49th Avenue
Spokane, Washington
Dec 1996 – Apr 2000 · Kaiser Aluminum Plant, carbon setter, crane operator
Spokane, Washington
Apr 1997 – Apr 2000 · Army National Guard, chief warrant officer 4, helicopter instructor pilot · national guard
Spokane, Washington
Apr 18, 2000 – Apr 18, 2000 · Arrested while on way to work
Walla Walla, Washington
Oct 26, 2000 – present · Washington State Penitentiary, inmate 817529, serving 408 years plus two life sentences without possibility of parole
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.
1977 white Chevrolet Corvette
approx. 1996 – 1999
1977 white Corvette used to cruise Spokane's red-light district. Evidence found in vehicle linked Yates to Jennifer Joseph murder. Yates had been pulled over in this vehicle while it was being sought, but field report misread as Camaro not Corvette.
1979 black Ford van
approx. 1996 – 1998
1979 Ford van described by Christine Smith as 1970s era black van used for sexual encounters with victims before murders.
1988 black Chevrolet Sport Van – 1988 Chevy Sport van with exterior yellow/orange stripe, bucket seats, wood panelling, raised bed
approx. 1988 – 1999
1988 Chevy Sport van used to transport victims. Yates used this van and later a 1979 Ford van. A bullet fragment from attempted murder victim was found in the van. Van contained unexplained human bloodstains not linked to known victims.
Timeline
May 27, 1952
Robert Lee Yates Jr. born in Oak Harbor, Washington.
1970
Graduated Oak Harbor High School in Whidbey Island.
Aug 27, 1972
Married Shirley Nylander; separated March 1973 after 18 months.
Jul 14, 1974
Married Linda Brewer; marriage annulled because divorce was not final from Nylander.
Jun 1975
Hired as corrections officer at Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla.
Jul 13, 1975
Yates shot and killed Susan Savage and Patrick Oliver at Mill Creek near Walla Walla during picnic.
Aug 29, 1975
Divorce from Shirley Nylander finalized in King County; married Linda Brewer again in legal ceremony.
Oct 04, 1976
Enlisted in U.S. Army in Seattle.
Jul 10, 1977
Took oath of office and became warrant officer at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
1980
Stationed in Europe, Hanau, Germany.
Jul 07, 1988
Yates shot and killed Stacy Elizabeth Hawn in Skagit County during military leave.
Dec 28, 1988
Partial skeletal remains of Stacy Hawn found near Big Lake in Skagit County, Washington.
Jun 14, 1996
Body of Shannon Zielinski found at Holcomb Road and Mount Spokane Park Drive.
Aug 25, 1996
Body of Patricia Barnes found; Yates had moved family to Spokane in April 1996.
Dec 1996
Hired at Kaiser Aluminum Plant as replacement worker, carbon setter.
Apr 1997
Joined Army National Guard.
Jun 14, 1997
Body of Shannon Zielinski discovered.
Aug 26, 1997
Bodies of Jennifer Joseph (16) and Heather Hernandez (20) found in Spokane area.
Nov 05, 1997
Partially decayed remains of Darla Sue Scott (29) found in shallow grave near Hangman Valley Road.
Dec 07, 1997
Body of Melinda Mercer (24) found shot multiple times in Tacoma area with plastic bags on head.
Dec 18, 1997
Body of Shawn Johnson (36) found on Hangman Valley Road with plastic bag over head.
Dec 26, 1997
Bodies of Laurie Ann Wason (31) and Shawn McClenahan (39) found near 14th and Carnahan with plastic bags around heads.
Feb 08, 1998
Remains of Sunny G. Oster (41) found south of Spokane with plastic bags around head.
Apr 01, 1998
Remains of Linda Maybin (34) found near 14th and Carnahan with plastic bag over head.
May 12, 1998
Melody Murfin (43) reported missing; later found buried outside Yates' bedroom window.
Jul 07, 1998
Body of Michelyn Derning (47) found naked and shot in vacant lot at 218 N. Crestline.
Aug 01, 1998
Yates picked up Christine Smith, a prostitute; shot her in head during sex act in his van, but she survived and reported assault and robbery.
Sep 19, 1998
Yates refused to submit DNA sample after being stopped by police, claiming request was too extreme for a family man.
Sep 24, 1998
Composite sketch of serial killer released in Spokane.
Oct 13, 1998
Body of Connie LaFontaine Ellis (35) found in South Tacoma with plastic bag over head.
Nov 12, 1998
Yates' daughters Sonja and Amber called police; citation issued for domestic violence later dropped to misdemeanor assault.
Apr 18, 2000
Yates arrested while on way to work for murder of Jennifer Joseph; fibers, button, and blood found in Corvette.
May 18, 2000
Charged with 7 counts of murder and 1 count of attempted murder in Spokane County.
Jul 17, 2000
Charged with 2 counts of murder in Pierce County for Tacoma killings.
Oct 19, 2000
Pleaded guilty to 13 counts of murder and 1 count of attempted murder as part of plea bargain to avoid death penalty.
Oct 26, 2000
Sentenced to 408 years in prison by Judge Richard Schroeder in Spokane County.
Aug 12, 2002
Pierce County trial begins for murders of Melinda Mercer and Connie LaFontaine Ellis.
Sep 19, 2002
Jury convicts Yates on 2 counts of aggravated first degree murder in Pierce County.
Oct 04, 2002
Sentenced to death by lethal injection in Pierce County for murders of Melinda Mercer and Connie Ellis.
Nov 04, 2002
Arrives on death row at Washington State Penitentiary, where he once worked as a guard.
Oct 11, 2018
Washington Supreme Court rules death penalty unconstitutional; Yates' death sentence commuted to life without parole.
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 · The Review Geek ·
Where is Robert Lee Yates now?“In 2018, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty violated the state constitution and Yates' death sentence was commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole.”
Other · Radford University Department of Psychology ·
Radford University serial killer biography: Yates, Robert Lee“October 19 – Pleads guilty to 13 counts of murder and 1 count of attempted murder as part of a plea bargain to save him from the death penalty. October 26 – Sentenced by Judge to 408 years in Spokane.”
Other government record · Wikipedia ·
Washington State Penitentiary“Robert Lee Yates | 817529 | Serving two life sentences and an additional 408 years. | Serial killer who was convicted in 2000 of murdering 13 people. In 2002, he was sentenced to death for 2 additional murders.”
Court record · VLEX ·
State v. Yates, 168 P.3d 359“Yates was ultimately charged in Spokane County Superior Court with 10 counts of first degree murder and 1 count of attempted first degree murder.”
News report · Military History Fandom ·
Robert Lee Yates“Yates was arrested on April 18, 2000, for the murder of Jennifer Joseph. After his arrest a search warrant was executed on a 1977 white Corvette that he had previously owned.”
News report · Herald Net ·
Serial killer's Vette, van head for eBay“Disposing of the 1977 Chevrolet Corvette and 1988 Chevy Sport van will close out the case of the notorious killer who preyed on women in the Spokane and Tacoma areas in the 1990s.”
Other government record ·
Helicopter Pilot Information“CW4 Robert 'Bob' E. Yates was a potential VHPA member...helicopter training instructor at Fort Rucker, AL.”
News report · Wikipedia ·
Robert Lee Yates“Between 1988 and 1998, Yates committed eleven murders in Spokane County, two in Pierce County, and one in Skagit County.”
News report · Medium ·
The Grocery Bag Killer“On December 28th, 1988, Stacy Elizabeth Hawn's partial skeletal remains were found near Big Lake in Skagit County, Washington.”
News report · Spokesman-Review ·
eBay may bar auction of Yates' cars“Each of the above referenced vehicles likely was the site of one, or possibly more, homicide(s) and other possible crimes.”
News report · Spokesman-Review ·
A Day For The Victims Judge Sends Yates To Prison For 408 Years“Dan Oliver discovered the body of his brother, Patrick Oliver, and friend Susan Savage in July 1975 after Yates gunned them down in Walla Walla at a picnic.”
News report · Seattle Times ·
Yates pleads guilty, breaks down in court“In the end, Yates pleaded guilty to killing 13 people.”
News report · Spokesman-Review ·
Yates' Fellow Pilots Helped In Search“Yates, who's a chief warrant officer, joined the Army National Guard in April 1997 after 18 years with the U.S. Army.”
News report · Spokesman-Review ·
Sheriff Lists Victims Dna Links Yates To Nine, Likely More“The Kaiser Aluminum crane operator and Army National Guard helicopter pilot is formally charged with one murder, that of Jennifer Joseph.”
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