York and Latham: The 1961 Cross-Country Killing Spree
In the early summer of 1961, the United States witnessed a brutal wave of violence perpetrated by two young men who had escaped military custody. What began as a refusal to integrate within the U.S. Army evolved into a calculated and lethal journey across multiple states, leaving a trail of theft and murder in its wake.
The Origins of the Spree
The partnership between the two perpetrators began in late 1959 at Fort Hood, Texas. Both men served as privates in the United States Army. Latham had previously completed his basic training at Fort Carson, Colorado, between May and July of 1959.
By May 1961, York (18) and Latham (19) were serving six-month sentences in an Army stockade—York for going AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave) and Latham for theft. Driven by a refusal to share barracks with Black soldiers, the pair escaped the stockade and fled toward York's hometown of Jacksonville, Florida.
A Trail of Violence Across the South and Midwest
The pair's criminal activity escalated rapidly as they traveled. On May 26, in Mix, Louisiana, they encountered Edward J. Guidroz, whom they severely beat before stealing his truck.
The violence turned lethal on May 29 in Jacksonville, Florida. York and Latham targeted Althea Ottavio and Patricia Hewett, two visitors from Georgia. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the men strangled both women using the victims' own stockings, stole their money, and abandoned their vehicle in a ditch.
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Escalation in Tennessee and Illinois
The spree continued northward and westward. On June 6, near Aiken, South Carolina, the duo attempted to rob a man in a Cadillac; however, the victim escaped after the pair missed their shots. The following day, June 7, they murdered 71-year-old John Whitaker in Tullahoma, Tennessee, stealing his car and abandoning the truck they had previously taken from Louisiana.
By June 8, the pair had reached Troy, Illinois. After abandoning Whitaker's car, they hitched a ride from Albert Reed. They murdered Reed, disposed of his body in a creek, and stole his vehicle. Shortly thereafter, near Edwardsville, Illinois, they killed gas station owner Martin Drenovac to steal fuel and cash.
Final Victims in Kansas and Colorado
The killing spree extended into the Midwest. On June 9, in Wallace, Kansas, they shot and killed 61-year-old Otto Zeigler and stole his wallet. The violence concluded on June 10 in Craig, Colorado, where they murdered 17-year-old motel maid Rachel Moyer, dumping her body and belongings in a ravine.
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Key Facts
- Perpetrators: York (18) and Latham (19), former U.S. Army privates.
- Timeline: May 26 to June 10, 1961.
- Catalyst: Escape from a Fort Hood stockade following racial grievances regarding barracks.
- Victims: Multiple individuals across Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee, Illinois, Kansas, and Colorado.
- Modus Operandi: Theft of vehicles, robbery, and murder via strangulation or shooting.
Crime Summary Table
| Date | Location | Victim(s) | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 26 | Mix, Louisiana | Edward J. Guidroz | Assault and vehicle theft |
| May 29 | Jacksonville, Florida | Althea Ottavio & Patricia Hewett | Murder and robbery |
| June 6 | Aiken, South Carolina | Unnamed Male | Attempted robbery (escaped) |
| June 7 | Tullahoma, Tennessee | John Whitaker (71) | Murder and vehicle theft |
| June 8 | Troy, Illinois | Albert Reed | Murder and vehicle theft |
| June 8 | Edwardsville, Illinois | Martin Drenovac | Murder and robbery |
| June 9 | Wallace, Kansas | Otto Zeigler (61) | Murder and robbery |
| June 10 | Craig, Colorado | Rachel Moyer (17) | Murder |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were York and Latham?
They were two young U.S. Army privates, aged 18 and 19, who escaped from a military stockade at Fort Hood, Texas, in May 1961.
What motivated their escape from Fort Hood?
The two men went AWOL and escaped the stockade because they did not want to share their barracks with Black soldiers.
How many states did the killing spree cover?
The spree spanned six states: Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, Kansas, and Colorado.
What was the duration of the killing spree?
The violent crime wave lasted approximately 16 days, beginning on May 26 and ending on June 10, 1961.
What methods did they use to kill their victims?
The perpetrators used various methods, including strangulation with stockings and firearms.