Keith Hunter Jesperson Research Paper

Smiley Face Killer

When you think of a smiley face you normally don’t associate them with serial killers, but with Keith Hunter Jesperson, you do. Keith Hunter Jesperson was born on April 6, 1955, in British Columbia, Canada. Jesperson was the middle child of 5 with an older sister and brother and a younger sister and brother. Ever since he was a small child Jesperson experienced conflicts, bullying and abuse in his home life and at school. His father would often hit him with a leather belt other than discipline and treated him less than his other siblings. At school he was often called “Monster Man” and “Igor”. He never attended any school dances, often being rejected by every girl that he had liked.

The cruelty he experienced as a child

Keith was at the bar January 21, 1990 he struck up a conversation with Taunja, invited her back to his house and she accepted. But unfortunately this sexual encounter turned violent. Keith stated “ All she had to do was say the wrong thing, and I just exploded on her '' after Keith had realized that she had been reminding him of his ex-wife he began to beat Taunja unrecognizable. He assaulted, beat and strangled her. Taunja was helpless in this situation. Keith finally killed her by strangling her with a rope from his house. After his first kill he stated the thrill of accomplishment with this murder had given him a “high”. He later dumped her body by the banks of the Columbia River. There was a strange incident that occurred regarding the murder of Taunja Bennett. Laverne Pavlinac claimed that she and her boyfriend, John Sosnovske had committed the murder together. She falsely made this statement to escape her boyfriend's abuse, but unfortunately Keith took this as a sign he stated “ Since I’d gotten away with the Taunja Bennett death, I was beginning to feel immortal,” “ It was a game now. I was boss, and I was invulnerable” This is when Keith first acquired his name, smiley face killer. Feeling invincible, Keith admitted his murder on the bathroom wall, writing, “I killed Taunja Bennett Jan. 21, 1990 in Portland, Oregon” , “I beat her to death, raped her, and I loved it. Yes, I’m sick, but I enjoy myself too. People took the blame and I’m free” He famously signed the note with a smiley face. The birth of the Smiley face