Virginia Rearden McGinnis

Virginia Rearden McGinnis

Information researched and summarized by Stephen Blake Jackson, Alyssa Jackson, Tabitha Johnson

Department of Psychology Radford University

Radford, VA 24142-6946

Date

January, 1937

Fall, 1953 Fall, 1954 May, 1955 January, 1956

1956 Winter, 1958 07-03-1959 10-05-1959

Fall, 1961 12-24-1966

March, 1967

02-19-1969 02-25-1971 06-05-1971

Age

Life Event

0

Childhood 16 17 18 19

21 21 22 24 29

30

32 34 35

Born in Ithaca, New York (Tompkins County) to Christie and Mary Agnes Hoffman. She is their second child (the have a son, Thomas). Virginia grew up in poverty. Virginia grew up in poverty and there are indications that she was physically and sexually abused. (Heilbroner, 1983, page 150) The Hoffman's barn burned down. Virginia is suspected of arson. Virginia marries Dick Coates and they move in with Dick's parents. After Virginia is caught stealing from Dick's parents, Virginia and Dick move in with Virginia's parents. Virginia gives birth to her first child, Ronald Albert Coates. Virginia, Dick, and Ronald move into a house of their own in Newfield, NY. Virginia has many sexual affairs and continues to steal. Virginia gives birth to her second child,. Jimmy. After a fire in their rented home, The Coates' are asked to find a new place to live and move back in with her parents. Dick suspects Virginia set the fire. Virginia is arrested for forging $195 in checks. Virginia pleads guilty and is placed on two years of probation. Virginia's house catches on fire. Virginia and Dick separate. Virginia takes the two boys and they move back with her father. The Hoffman's house where Virginia is living in Ithaca, NY, catches on fire. Virginia falls from a second-story window and hits her head. She is hospitalized for two weeks. Virginia's daughter, Cynthia Elaine Coates, is born in Palo Alto, California (Source: California Birth Index, 1905-1995) Virginia' and Dick's divorce becomes official. Virginia marries Sylvester "Bud" Rearden in Santa Clara County, California

July, 1972

12-06-1972 12-08-1972

09-08-1974

1975 04-14-1984

06-23-1985

July, 1985

August, 1986 04-01-1987

04-02-1987

1987 1989 09-15-1989 September 1989

November, 1991

(Source: California Marriage Index, 1960-1985). Bud is in the Navy and has three

sons: Kenneth, Sylvester, and Butch.

35

Virginia and Bud move to Louisville when Bud is transferred. They move into a house in Fairdale, Kentucky.

35

First alleged victim, daughter Cynthia Elaine Coats (WF, 3), was found hanging in a Louisville, Kentucky barn by McGinnis.

35

Cynthia Coats is buried in Resthaven Memorial Park

Virginia's second husband, Sylvester "Bud" Rearden (WM, 36), dies in Louisville,

37

KY. Although he died from cancer, many speculate that Virginia caused him to die

earlier than he would have.

38

Virginia moves from Kentucky to California.

47

Virginia marries Billie Joe "B.J." McGinnis at the Wedding Bells Chapel in Carson City, Nevada. This was his fifth marriage and Virginia's third marriage.

48

The house in Palo Alto, CA, where Virginia and her mother are living, catches fire and the insurance company decides to rebuild it rather than paying a claim.

48

The house catches on fire again and burns to the ground. The fire inspectors suspect arson but the insurance company pays Virginia and her mother $122,255.

49

Virginia's mother, Mary Agnes Hoffman (WF, 74), dies of a heart attack in Chula Vista, California.

50

Virginia McGinnis took out a $35,000 life insurance policy on Deana Wild.

Last Victim, Deanna Wild (WF, 20), was found dead in Big Sur, California. Police

50

eventually suspect that Virginia and B.J. McGinnis drove Deanna from San Diego

and then pushed her over a cliff in Big Sur,

50

Virginia and B.J. get divorced.

52

Virginia is now living in Pittsburg, California

52

Virginia is arrested at her home in Pittsburg, California.

52

Murder charges were filed against McGinnis by San Diego Prosecutor's Office.

54

Jury selection begins in Virginia's trial for the murder of Deanna Wild,

12-01-1991

54

Accomplice and third husband, Billie Joe McGinnis (WM, 52), dies of AIDS.

12-03-1991

54

Virginia McGinnis is held in Las Colinas Jail in Santee, California.

01-06-1992 01-17-1992 02-27-1992 03-02-1992

03-20-1992

Jury selection ends and the trial begins.

The jurors are flown from San Diego to Monterey to view the crime scene.

55

The jurors begin deliberation

55

The jury delivers a verdict of, "Guilty of murder in the first degree".

55

Virginia was sentenced to life without parole for the murder of Deana Hubbard Wild.

General Information

Sex Race Number of victims Country where killing occurred States where killing occurred Cities where killing occurred Counties where killing occurred Type of killer Height

Female White 4 suspected United States California, Kentucky Big Sur, Chula Vista, Louisville Monterey, San Diego, Jefferson Financial Gain: Black Widow N/A

Childhood Information

Date of birth Location Number of siblings XYY? Raised by Birth category Parent's marital status Did serial killer spend time in an orphanage? Did serial killer spend time in a foster home? Was serial killer ever raised by a relative? Did serial killer ever live with adopted family? Did serial killer ever live with a step-parent? Family event Age of family event Problems in school? Teased while in school? Physically attractive? Physical defect? Speech defect? Head injury? Physically abused? Psychologically abused? Sexually abused? Father's occupation Mother's occupation Father abused drugs/alcohol Mother abused drugs/alcohol Cognitive Ability Highest grade in school Highest degree Grades in school IQ Source of IQ information

Work History Fired from jobs? Types of jobs worked Employment status during series

Relationships

Sexual preference Marital status Number of children Lives with her children Living with

Triad

Animal torture Fire setting Bed wetting

Killer Psychological Information

Abused drugs? Abused alcohol? Been to a psychologist (prior to killing)? Time in forensic hospital (prior to killing)?

January, 1932 Ithaca, New York 1 N/A Both parents Youngest, second of two Married No No No No No N/A N/A Yes Yes No No No Yes, as an adult Yes Yes Yes Dairy farmer N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A Practical Nurse/Hospital Worker

Heterosexual Married, divorced, remarried 3 Lived with daughter until she died Spouse, friend

Yes Yes Yes

N/A N/A N/A No

Diagnosis

Killer Criminal History (Prior to the series)

Committed previous crimes? Spent time in jail? Spent time in prison? Killed prior to series? Age?

Serial Killing

Number of victims (suspected of) Number of victims (confessed to) Number of victims (convicted of) Victim type Killer age at start of series Killer age at end of series Date of first kill in series Date of final kill in series Gender of victims Race of victims Age of victims Type of victim Method of killing Weapon Was gun used?

Type Did killer have a partner?

Name of partner Sex of partner Relationship of partner How close did killer live? Location of first contact Location of killing Killing occurred in home of victim? Killing occurred in home of killer? Victim abducted or killed at contact? Behavior During Crimes Rape? Tortured victims? Intentionally went out that day to kill? Overkill? Quick & efficient? Used blindfold? Bound the victims? After Death Behavior Sex with the body? Mutilated body? Ate part of the body? Drank victim's blood? Posed the body? Took totem ? body part Took totem ? personal item Robbed victim or location Disposal of Body Left at scene, no attempt to hide

Antisocial Behavior/Psychopath

Arson, forgery Yes No No

4 None 1 Family, friends 35 50 December 6, 1972 April 2, 1987 1 man and 3 women White 3, 20, 36, 74 Close individuals with Insurance policies Hanging, Overdose, Push off Cliff Yes No

Yes, for the death of Deanna Wild Billie Joe McGinnis Male Spouse Lived with victims 1-3 / Neighbor of victim 4 N/A Barn/House/Big Sur, California Yes for victims 1-3, no for victim 4 Yes No

No No Yes No Yes No No

No No No No No No No No

Yes

Left at scene, hidden Left at scene, buried Moved, no attempt to hide Moved, hidden Moved, buried Cut-op and disposed of Burned body Dumped body in lake, river, etc. Moved, took home Sentencing Date killer arrested Date convicted Sentence Killer executed? Did killer plead NGRI? Did serial killer confess? Name and state of prison Killer killed in prison? Date of death Victim 1 Name Date killed Date body was found Gender Race Age How killed State killed City killed County killed Type of target Did killer confess to this murder? Was killer convicted of this murder? Victim 2 Name Date killed Date body was found Gender Race Age How killed State killed City killed County killed Type of target Did killer confess to this murder? Was killer convicted of this murder? Victim 3 Name Date killed Date body was found Gender Race

No No No No No No No No No

September 15, 1989 March 30, 1992 Life without parole No No No N/A N/A Still Alive

Cynthia Elaine Coats December 6, 1972 December 6, 1972 Female White 3 Hanged Kentucky Louisville Jefferson Family - Daughter No No

Sylvester "Bud" Rearden September 8, 1974 September 8, 1974 Male White 36 Suspicious circumstances N/A N/A N/A Family - Husband. No No

Mary Agnes Hoffman 1986 1986 Female White

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