Trailside Killer. A man who loses his stutter when he kills. (2025)

David Carpenter, was physically abused by his alcoholic father and neglectful mother. David had a horrible stutter and was bullied in school. At age 14 he was committed to the Napa State Hospital in California for sexual offenses. Those records are sealed. At age 17, Carpenter was charged for sexually molesting a 3-year-old girl. He was sentenced to juvenile detention until 18. After his release, David married Ellen and they had 3 kids. Carpenter demanded sex from his wife 3 times a day.

In 1960, David Carpenter offered Lois DeAndrade a ride. He pretended to be lost and drove into the woods and stopped the vehicle. Carpenter became quiet. He then took out rope, a knife and a hammer. Lois notices a military police vehicle, reaches for the door handle, and takes off. Carpenter catches her and beats her with a hammer. Carpenter takes out a pen that fires a pellet at the officer. The officer fires back and hits Carpenter. Lois needed reconstructive surgery on her skull. Lois told investigators that despite Carpenter’s terrible stutter, he spoke clearly while he was assaulting her, suggesting killing calmed him. Lois DeAndrade is the grandmother of actress Lisa Rinna.

Carpenter is charged with Assault and Kidnapping on a military basis and is sentenced to 14 years. His wife divorced him. Carpenter was released in 1969, after 9 years. Carpenter was suspect in the Zodiac murders but was eventually cleared.

Carpenter is transferred to the California State Prison in Vacaville, California where he gets help with his stutter. Carpenter was paroled from state prison, but was transferred to a federal prison, because the woods he drove Lois to was on a military base, (which is a federal crime). Carpenter is released from federal prison in 1979. By mistake, they failed to put his name on the sex offender registry. He is placed in a halfway house in San Francisco and joins the Sierra club. Carpenter said from his past, he learned he needed to kill his victims.

Mary Frances Bennett was murdered on October 21, 1979. The 23-year-old left her apartment for a late Sunday afternoon jog to her favorite place just north of Painted Rock at Lands’ End. Her body was found later that evening. She had been stabbed 26 times. Her agonizing screams could be heard by golfers on a nearby golf course. In 2010, DNA linked David Carpenter to her murder.

Carol Laughlin, age 19, disappeared in Yosemite State Park in September of 1979. Carol had been staying in a tent in the park. It is suspected she was murdered by David Carpenter. There wasn’t enough evidence to prove it.

On August 19, 1979, Edda Kane was hiking at beautiful park called “the Sleeping Lady”. It overlooks the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. The next day, Edda was found naked, except for wearing one stocking. She did not appear to have been sexually assaulted. Edda was made to kneel naked in submission to killer and was then shot in the back of the head. The killer stole her glasses, credit cards and cash, but left her jewelry.

On March 8, 1980, organic breadmaker, Barbara Schwartz, age 23 went for a hike with her dog. Barbara was in the same park Edda was murdered in. Another hiker heard Barbara screaming and saw a man stabbing Barbara while the dog was barking. The courageous woman ran at them yelling for the killer to stop. The killer took off, but unfortunately it was too late for Barbara. She had been stabbed 12 times. The killer’s black glasses were found at the scene and a bloody knife was close. A reporter picked up the knife, eliminating the fingerprints from the handle. The glasses were traced to California’s prison system, but no match could be made. David Carpenter was injured in the assault and went to the hospital and where he was treated for a stab wound. The hospital even filed a police report, but unfortunately investigators missed it. Carpenter also went to the optometrist to get a new pair of glasses. While a BOLO (be on the lookout) was sent to optometrists looking for someone who needed this prescription, this particular optometrist didn’t read it.

October 13, 1980, avid runner and former peace corps worker, Anne Alderson age 26, decided to go for a walk in the woods. She had been seen sitting and enjoying the sunset. Anne’s body was later found in the woods. She had been sexually assaulted and redressed, one-half mile from where Edda Kane was murdered. Anne had also been forced to kneel before being shot in the head. All of the murders had occurred on weekends or holidays, suggesting the killer had full-time employment.

On November 28, 1980, Diane O’Connell, age 22, was reported lost in the woods, so a search was conducted.

Searchers find the bodies of two people, but neither was Diane O’Connell. The bodies were of Richard Stowers, age 19 and Cynthia Moreland, age 18. Richard and Cynthia had planned on marrying. They had gone missing in October of 1980, after setting off on a hiking trip at Point Reyes National Seashore Park.

A third body, the nude body of Shauna May, age 25, was also found as part of that search. She had been raped and shot in the head. Right next to her body was Diane O’Connell. Neither woman knew each other. It was assumed Carpenter was raping one when the other hiker interrupted them. Diane had also been raped, shot and strangled. He killed them both. The story was on Very Scary People on the ID channel. When the search was over, they had 4 bodies.

Diane O’Connell, Shauna May , Cynthia Moreland & Richard Stowers

December 28, 1980, Anny Menjivar, age 17, disappeared. Anny knew David Carpenter. Carpenter was suspected but they did not have enough evidence for a conviction. Her body was found in Castle Rock State Park.

March 29, 1981, Ellen Hansen, age 20, and Steven Hartle went on a camping trip together. They were on spring break from the University of California Davis. Carpenter pulled out a gun and Hartle said, “You can have our money.” Carpenter told Hartle, “I’m going to rape your girlfriend.” Steven told him he wasn’t going to let him. Carpenter shot both, killing Ellen execution style.

Steven managed to run for help. The killer was wearing a golden jacket that featured a beer drinking contest on the back. The ballistics indicated the same gun had been used for the last 5 killings.

David Carpenter became involved with a woman named “Candy.” He told his probation officer that her sex drive was as strong as his. He had never known anyone like her. Carpenter met Candy when her car broke down. She agreed to have sex with him that day, and he asked (that same day) her to move in with him.

Saturday, May 2, 1981, Heather Scaggs, age 20, got a job at the Quick Print shop, where Carpenter was employed. Heather’s car broke down, so Carpenter told her where she could get a new car. Carpenter told her not to tell anyone, but Heather called her boyfriend and told him the number to call if she’s late. The number was for David Carpenter’s mother. Coworkers described Carpenter as overly attentive to Heather. Heather always carried green Kleenexes.

Investigators notice, David Carpenter’s red car matches the car seen driving away from the Ellen Hanson and Steven Hartle assault scene. There are green Kleenexes on the seat. Friday, May 8, 1981, David Carpenter agrees to meet with investigators. Carpenter stutters so severely he is difficult to understand. Steven Hartle said the man had no speech impediment. Carpenter denied having a red car (even though investigators knew he was lying). He’s not wearing his glasses (changing his appearance). Carpenter stated he hated his mom because she made him take ballet lessons. Carpenter stood and showed the investigators ballet moves. Carpenter became relaxed and lost his stutter. When the interview ends Carpenter stated out of the blue, “I hope no one ever finds her body.” They weren’t talking about murder at the time.

Investigators interview Carpenter’s woman friend, Candy. She shares that Carpenter took a yellow jacket she had from a beer drinking contest. It was too large for her anyway. Only 12 jackets were made.

David Carpenter was arrested.

Heather Scaggs body was then found in the Big Basin State Park. She had been raped and shot in the face.

Shane Williams, a friend of David Carpenter’s is caught robbing a bank. Shane tells investigators he knows where the gun is that the Trailside Killer used. David had given Shane the gun to use for the bank robbery. After David was arrested, Shane realized Carpenter was setting him up. Carpenter thought Shane would be killed in the robbery and everybody would assume Shane was the Trailside killer.

Carpenter was convicted of five counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Richard Stowers, Cynthia Moreland, Shauna May, Diane O'Connell and Anne Alderson. Carpenter also was found guilty of raping two of the women and attempting to rape a third. He was sentenced to death in the gas chamber on November 16, 1984. David Carpenter is now 92 years old and remains on San Quentin's death row.

• Richard Stowers, 19 Convicted

• Cynthia Moreland, 18 Convicted

• Shauna May, 25 Convicted

• Diane O'Connell, 22 Convicted

• Anne Alderson, 26 Convicted

• Ellen Marie Hansen, 20 Overturned but reinstated.

• Heather Scaggs, 20 Overturned but reinstated.

• Edda Kane, 44 Suspected

• Barbara Schwartz, 23 Suspected

• Mary Frances Bennett, 23 Confirmed

• Anna Kelly Menjivar, 17, Suspected

• Carol Laughlin, 19, Suspected

We live in a beautiful world. Let’s enjoy it together and not let terrible people ruin it.

Thanks for listening,

Frank