“The I-5 killer preyed on women. Many of his victims knew him. Many did not. But they all suffered greatly at his hands.” — Ann Rule, The I-5 Killer
Randall Brent “Randy” Woodfield was an American serial killer who, between 1979 and 1981, murdered at least seven (but maybe above forty) young women in Oregon and California.
Born on December 26, 1950, in Salem, Oregon, he grew up in a middle-class family with two siblings. His father was a pharmacist, and his mother was a homemaker. Despite his promising athletic abilities, he struggled academically and was known for his deviant behavior, such as peeping on his neighbors and stealing.
Woodfield attended Newport High School and was a standout athlete, excelling in football, basketball, and track. He received a scholarship to play football at Oregon State University and was a starting wide receiver for the Beavers. However, he was dismissed from the team in 1974 for stealing from his teammates. After leaving Oregon State, he played briefly for a minor league team in Canada before returning to the United States and attempting to make it onto an NFL team.
Golden Oppurtunity
Woodfield was eventually signed by the Green Bay Packers in 1974, but he was released during training camp for disciplinary issues. He later signed with the Portland Thunder of the World Football League, but he was again released due to his troublesome behavior.
Randall Brent “Randy” Woodfield was an American serial killer who, between 1979 and 1981, murdered at least seven (but maybe above forty) young women in Oregon and California.
“The number of his victims may never be known. But few who have followed his case will forget his name.” — The Oregonian (newspaper)
Born on December 26, 1950, in Salem, Oregon, he grew up in a middle-class family with two siblings. His father was a pharmacist, and his mother was a homemaker. Despite his promising athletic abilities, he struggled academically and was known for his deviant behavior, such as peeping on his neighbors and stealing.
Woodfield attended Newport High School and was a standout athlete, excelling in football, basketball, and track. He received a scholarship to play football at Oregon State University and was a starting wide receiver for the Beavers. However, he was dismissed from the team in 1974 for stealing from his teammates. After leaving Oregon State, he played briefly for a minor league team in Canada before returning to the United States and attempting to make it onto an NFL team.
Golden Oppurtunity
Woodfield was eventually signed by the Green Bay Packers in 1974, but he was released during training camp for disciplinary issues. He later signed with the Portland Thunder of the World Football League, but he was again released due to his troublesome behavior.
After failing to make it in the NFL, Woodfield turned to a life of crime. He was arrested several times for indecent exposure, burglary, and assault. However, despite his criminal record, he was able to land a job as a part-time police officer for the city of Woodburn, Oregon. It was during this time that he began to commit a series of brutal rapes and murders.
“He had a dual personality, charming one moment and sociopathic the next.” — Detective Brian Martin, in a 2020 interview with The Oregonian.
Nightmare on Interstate 5
Woodfield’s first known murder victim was a college student named Shari Hull, whom he killed in her apartment in January 1980. Over the next year and a half, he killed at least six more young women, including Beth Wilmot, Donna Eckard, Julie Reitz, and Tina Marie Ridgway. He would typically target young women who were alone at night, break into their homes, and then sexually assault and murder them. In some cases, he would also steal their jewelry and other valuables.
“Randall Woodfield was a man who lived a life of sexual violence and domination. His crimes were fueled by his need for power and control over his victims.” — Katherine Ramsland, The Human Predator
Woodfield’s crimes sparked fear throughout the Pacific Northwest, and law enforcement agencies in Oregon and California launched a massive manhunt for the killer. In May 1981, Woodfield was finally apprehended by police in a traffic stop. He was driving a car that had been reported stolen, and he was carrying a gun and a knife. After a search of his vehicle turned up several pieces of jewelry and other items that had been stolen from his victims, Woodfield was arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder, rape, and burglary.
No Remorse
At his trial, Woodfield’s defense argued that he was mentally ill and that he had a history of head injuries that may have contributed to his violent behavior. However, the prosecution presented a compelling case, including DNA evidence that linked Woodfield to the crimes. In July 1981, he was convicted of multiple counts of murder, rape, and burglary, and he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Woodfield’s story is a tragic one, marked by a promising athletic career cut short by his criminal behavior. His crimes were heinous, and his victims’ families were left to grieve the loss of their loved ones.
“Woodfield was cunning, and his crimes were committed with a brazen disregard for the law. But in the end, justice prevailed.” — Detective Randy Papé, in a 2019 interview with The Register-Guard
While it is impossible to fully understand what drove Woodfield to commit such brutal acts, it is clear that he was a deeply disturbed individual who was unable to control his violent impulses. In the end, justice was served, and Woodfield will spend the rest of his life behind bars, paying for the unspeakable crimes he committed.
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