Dead Ends: The Pursuit, Conviction, and Execution of Serial Killer Aileen Wuornos

by Joseph Michael Reynolds

The chilling true story of female serial killer Aileen Wuornos, whose violent crimes shocked the nation—and inspired the Academy Award–winning film Monster.
 
When police in Florida’s Volusia County were called to investigate the murder of Richard Mallory, whose gunshot-ridden body had been found in the woods just north of Daytona Beach in December 1989, their search led them to a string of dead ends before the trail went cold six months later. During the spring and summer of 1990, the bodies of six more middle-aged white men were discovered—all in secluded areas near their abandoned vehicles, all but one shot dead with a .22 caliber pistol—and all without any suspects, motives, or leads.
 
The police speculated that the murders were connected, but they never anticipated what they’d soon discover: The killings were the work of a single culprit, Aileen Wuornos, one of the first women to ever fit the profile of a serial killer. With the cooperation of her former lover and accomplice, Tyria Moore, the police were able to solicit a confession from Wuornos about her months-long killing spree along Florida’s interstate highways. The nation was quickly swept up in the drama of her trial and the media dubbed her the “Damsel of Death” as horrifying details of her past as a prostitute and drifter emerged.
 
Written by the Reuters reporter who initially broke the story, Dead Ends is a thrilling firsthand account of Wuornos’s capture, trial, and ultimate sentencing to death by lethal injection, that goes beyond the media frenzy to reveal the even more disturbing truth.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Biography, History, Crime, Horror, Audiobook

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Joseph Michael Reynolds is an author and journalist who has covered major crimes and domestic and international terrorism for Playboy, the Nation, U.S. News & World Report, Mother Jones, and Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, and contributed to the television shows 60 Minutes, 48 Hours, and Dateline. As a Reuters correspondent in Florida, Reynolds broke the story of female serial killer Aileen Wuornos in 1990, and wrote about her trial, conviction, and execution in his book Dead Ends. His writing has also been featured in several anthologies, including The Playboy Book of True Crime, Annual Editions: Violence and Terrorism, and Fascism: Critical Concepts in Political Science.

Reviews

[Paul Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I keep thinking that you can draw a line from Sylvia Plath to Andrea Dworkin to Valerie Solanas to Aileen Wuornos.

Beware
Beware.

Out of the ash
I rise with my red hair
And I eat men like air.

- Sylvia Plath

We have a double standard, which is to say, a man can show how much he cares by being violent -- see, he's jealous, he cares -- a woman shows how much she cares by how much she's willing to be hurt; by how much she will take; how much she will endure.

- Andrea Dworkin

They put one man on the moon. Why not all of them?

- Valerie Solanas

Sure, I killed these seven guys, but they deserved it…when I think about what I’ve done sometimes I get upset. I killed so many guys, like I feel guilty, you know? And at other times I’m happy, I feel good. Like a hero. Cause I’ve done some good. I’m a killer of rapists.

- Aileen Wuornos

FIRST FEMALE SERIAL KILLER? YES

For sure there have been dozens of women in past centuries who have killed impressive numbers of human beings. To name but two :

Nannie Doss – poisoned four husbands, two children, her sister, her mother, two grandsons, and a mother-in-law in the 40s and 50s – so Nannie was what they call a Black Widow.

Jane Toppan - 12 confirmed, 31 confessed, more than 100 suspected – she was a nurse who poisoned patients, friends, acquaintances in the 1890s – so Jane was what they call an Angel of Death.

There are big obvious differences between this poisoning thing and what male serial killers do. When we say Aileen Wuornos is the first female serial killer we mean she didn’t use poison, she did not know her victims, she used a gun and she shot them full of holes, one at a time. (Since Aileen very few have followed in her footsteps, which for Valerie Solanas and any who believe in female equality might be a matter of regret.)

THOSE WHOM THE GODS WISH TO DESTROY THEY FIRST MAKE MAD

Given that two of 1991’s blockbuster hit movies were The Silence of the Lambs and Thelma and Louise, as soon as the detectives in Florida figured out that one person had killed these seven guys and that person was a female, they knew that Hollywood would be on the phone the instant she was caught, and that’s what happened, as we know.

This caused a whole vale of tears for the detectives involved.

ONLY IN AMERICA

When the case had hit the press and Aileen was becoming famous, up popped a lady named Mrs Arlene Pralle, “a twinkly-eyed forty-four-year old born-again Christian". She wrote a letter : “You’re going to think I’m crazy but Jesus told me to write to you”. No, Aileen didn’t think she was crazy at all. They became instantly ascloseasthis and within weeks Arlene (44) had legally adopted Aileen (34) and was now her Mom.

A CROWD OF SOUR TEETH

At various times our author Michael Reynolds lapses into tough-guy detective thrillerese:

Her lips curled up to show a crowd of sour teeth.

Trailer parks crawling with oily-backed palmetto bugs the size of mice and old geezers running out their string on union pensions

There was nothing but fire. Fires burning way down inside and getting bigger. He needed to get up, was up. On his knees. Then up on his feet. But no. He couldn’t. He was choking. His throat was full.

A howling catastrophe of alcohol, drugs, fire, and craziness was coming down before this Wednesday night was over.

Dramatic stuff! And I love the way he introduces his characters:

A solid light heavyweight with a bulldog jaw somewhat softened by a set of aviator-style glasses

She was a roly-poly redhead with a burgundy Suzuki motorbike and no restraints

Detective Jimmy Pinner, a tall rail-thin country fellow with sad eyes

Mrs Vera Ivkolivich, a thin birdlike Yugoslavian with large liquid eyes

Judge Uriel “Bunky” Blount, a rotund, well-respected jurist with lavish jug ears, bloodhound jowls, and a florid rope of flesh bulging over his blue knit collar, topped by a rigorously maintained flattop

DATES

Aileen born in 1954 to a 15 year old mother and a father who later turned out to be a violent paedophile who died in prison in 1969 as a result of suicide or at the hands of fellow inmates, no one cared either way.

1955 – Aileen given up by her mother & raised by grandparents

1968 – aged 14 Aileen gets pregnant. Baby given up for adoption.

1969-1989 Trouble every day. Aileen is a full time grifter, part time highway hooker, busted numerous times for assault, destruction of property, nothing too major, until the two and a half stretch for armed robbery.

1989-90 The seven murders

1991 Arrested. Media circus.

1992 Guilty verdicts, death sentence

Documentary : Aileen Wuornos : The Selling of a Serial Killer

1992-2002 On death row

2002 Executed at age 46

2003 movie Monster. Charlize Theron gets an Oscar for playing Aileen
Documentary Aileen : Life and Death of a Serial Killer (winner of the Amnesty International Award)

2021 Movie Aileen Wuornos: American Boogeywoman – a prequel to Monster

IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING

The surname Wuornos is Finnish.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC for review. EPD: June 21, 2016.

I've long been fascinated by the case of Aileen Wuornos, if not the first female serial killer in the U.S. then certainly the most famous. At first I was unsure why there would be a new book about Wuornos so many years after her crimes and her death, and I'm still not really sure why this is being reissued - I didn't realize until after I finished the book that the original copyright was in 1992 with a six page "Postmortem" chapter chronicling Wuornos's death copyrighted in 2004, so I'm still not sure about the 2016 release. In any event, while this might have been the best of the volumes about her back in 1992, the book is mostly just information that could be obtained through a FOIA request - full reviews of the capture of Wuornos and her confession, plus additional information likely pulled from the odd but fascinating duo of documentaries created by Nick Broomfield - if a reader is most interested in procedure (and doesn't mind the writer placing himself into the story a bit) then read this book, but if it's the psychology that interests you, check out the docs instead.

[Irene Well Worth A Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not very familiar with this case before reading Dead Ends. Sure I have heard the name Aileen Wuornos and knew she was a convicted and executed serial killer, but that's really all I knew. I never knew she was pregnant at such a young age, or tossed out on her own so young.
This was a highly detailed and informative account of how Aileen Wournos was caught, and her subsequent trial and sentencing.. There is no doubt she was guilty but after reading about people who planned to use her story as their own personal jack pot, or ending up with an attorney who called himself Dr. Legal I can't help but almost feel a speck of sympathy, not so much for her but for the childhood she had, and the child she was. I can't help but wonder if her son ever found out who his mother was and for his sake I hope he didn't know. Some questions are better left unanswered.

I received an advance copy for review.

[E Vikander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Ends is the true story of Aileen Wuornos, the 35th female serial killer in the United States. Using primary sources, Reynolds objectively describes the seven murders she committed, her trial, and sentencing. Reynolds broke the story as a Reuters correspondent in Florida and covered the trial, giving him first-hand knowledge of the case. This is a fast-paced book that I could not put down; it is well worth the read.

[William Engle · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this one does drag on at points, particularly in the confession (which can be the most compelling part of a true crime book, if you play your cards even remotely right), it’s got a lot of good information that I didn’t know about the Wuornos case already. It’s worth a read if you’ve got a particular interest in the case, but otherwise I think you can skip it

[Bay · Rating 1 out of 5]

i gotta stop picking random audiobooks off of libby this was ass

[Brenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although not America's first female serial killer, Aileen "Lee" Wuornos is often considered as such. Technically, according to the FBI, she is the first textbook female serial killer (as females had been serial killing for decades in the United States, only limiting their crimes toward those they knew intimately). And author Michael Reynolds was the news writer who broke the story.

"Story" is also an accurate description of his book, Dead Ends. In fact, it is arguably a non-fiction novel, with the highly fictionalized conversations and imagined home scenes between the investigators and Aileen Wuornos herself (somewhat along the lines of Norman Mailer's Executioner's Song, only not nearly as poetic).

Rather than rely on such fillers as describing the geography of Florida, the political scene during her murder spree of the late 1980s/early 1990s, or other such non sequitur information, Reynolds details each case on an individual basis, following false leads and cleared suspects, just as investigators must have. Of course, there is no way to verify that the words attributed to specific officers and suspects are verbatim (which are, in all likelihood, the products of recollections, perhaps even Reynolds' imagination). This makes for a more fluid read than many other offerings from the St. Martin's True Crime Library repertoire - a substantially superior recounting of the news item.

Yet, it remains within the realm of voyeuristic narrative which draws in the morbidly curious, and repels those to whom the true crime genre does not appeal. While not a spectacular book, it does attain a standard higher than the majority of its ilk.

[Judith Wong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Evil personified...

This account is very difficult to read for the first chapter or two. The English is broken and uneducated, barely understandable. It's not until the Law Enforcement officers begin their findings that the book becomes tangible. Be that as it may, it is a story about a twisted, evil and manipulative killer, with no redeeming qualities. Her life ends in a much gentler, kinder manner than she bequeathed her victims.

[Marsmannix · Rating 2 out of 5]

did not like the jock-lit writing style. ew

[Alexina · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read. Was expecting it to be more factual rather than a dramatised version on events.

[Marissa Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4/5 ⭐️

Dead ends, a non fiction novel describes the detailed discoveries of deceased bodies found in scattered areas among Florida, 1989. Author indulges the investigation pursuit of killer/killers responsible for the lawless acts. Was it a man or a women? Who is the damsel of death?

I swayed between giving this book a 4/5 or 3/5 rating, based on a few of my opinions below.

• If you are looking for a book to get factual based information about the murders and multiple cases, I believe this book would be great significance. As it merely focuses on the police task forces and criminal prosecution.

• However, this book barley scrapes the surface of Aileen Wuorno’s personal life. There is a chapter or two, nearing the end - regarding her family life and upbringing. If you know a substantial amount about the case before reading the book, it may not be as significant to you.

• I would like to add, at times I felt the author was expressing his own personal views of Aileen Wuorno’s. By making blatant pessimistic comments regarding Aileen occasionally throughout the novel. My view of this type of writing style was journalistic and I didn’t feel this was an opinion piece, it did not flow with the novel. In addition, at times I felt the writing was disorganized.

I would recommend - if you have never heard any information about this case. Start with this book and dive into other sources, it can be a repeat of certain information if you already know about Aileen. 📚

[Bill reilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a cast of characters. Richard Mallory's decomposing body begins the hunt for his killer and the man had a hunger for strippers and booze and pot. The first two interviews were with two of the high society girls with the unlikely names of Chastity and Pandora. Neither of them were chaste and Pandora sold her box to patrons.
Aileen Wuornos was abandoned by her mother who gave birth to her at fifteen and would follow in mom's footsteps by delivering her own child at the same age. Dad also took off and was a convicted pedophile who did society a favor by hanging himself while in prison.
Little Miss Sunshine traded sex for cigarettes at the age of thirteen and then hit the road at fifteen. For the next twenty years she made a living as a prostitute and was never arrested for those pursuits. Instead, she served time for a number of robberies.
She hooked up with a lesbian lover who would testify against her and be the principle reason for her conviction and execution.
My favorite line from the book is the statement that she expected to go down in history like Ted Bundy. He was cooked in "Old Sparky" in 1989 and Aileen had an easier exit by being put to sleep in 2002 by lethal injection. Bundy's fame seems to be more enduring than the killer of seven men.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow where to begin....There has always been something about her. I watch Monster, where I first came across Wuornos. Did some browsing and then bought her 1993 interview on dvd before she went to meet her maker. Then I seen this book and I had to read it. It went into so much detail that I didn't know. Especially about her birth parents. She seemed like her dad's twin and thats weird because she never even met him. I believe she has alot of mental issues. As a part of me thinks a person with issues like hers shouldn't have been put to death. But, on the other hand she killed 7 men. They were fathers and husband and sons. She knew what she did. She showed no remorse. Until she died she kept to her story that they raped or abused her. It might of been a bit more believable if she didn't say it was all 7 that abused her. Although, on the other hand...I feel real bad for her. She had such a rough life, I cant even imagine. If she was alive right now, I think I would of definitely wrote to her. All she wanted was to be loved and have someone to trust. Everyone that came into her life screwed her one way or another.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I briefly remember this person Aileen probably didn't give to much thought at the time because I was going through my own problems/life at the time however after I heard Peter Monn say his book club is reading this book in May I was like let me see if I want to participate.
After reading this I'm like woe.
So sometimes I got the feeling Aileen was remorseful and other times I did not. I do believe Aileen may have had a disorder or due to her existence she developed one because she was mistreated so badly horrible and didn't know how perhaps to save herself. It's a tragedy all around, no one won.
I'm always interested in learning how one choses to take another life and I don't know if we will ever completely understand and or even in Aileens case.
Will I participate in the book club? If I don't have to work during it then probably.

[Ana-Maria Bujor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book in order to remember the details of the case. And for that, it's perfect. The book states what happened, how the investigation went and a few facts about Aileen. I can fell throughout the book that the author resented her quite a bit (pretty normal I guess). I wish there was a bit more insight into her psychology and upbringing. No, I don't join the group of people who think she was but a victim, but I do wish to know more. All in all, a good book to become familiarized with the case

[Lavinia Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was.... wild. I knew a bit about Aileen Wuornos but the full story is a train wreck. With that being said, the author reconstructed this horrific true story with objectiveness, evidence, respect to the victims; a journalistic approach that reads like a thriller or mystery novel. Reynolds recaptures the controversial road to capturing Wuornos and the dramatic trial, without inserting personal opinion. The reader is left to form their own opinion on Wuornos and her motives. A must read for anyone interested in this case.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've seen the movie about Aileen Wuornos and was curious to find out more about her when I picked out this book. It was slow to start while naming some of the victims and detectives who took part in the hunt for this serial killer. But when she began to speak, it became very interesting. I believe she must have been on some kind of 'other moral plain'.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a lot of books about Aileen Wuornos (I remember reading LETHAL INTENT by Sue Russell years ago); this one concentrates on the investigation and proceeds in chronological fashion. It includes a brief account of cops battling for movie rights, with the last thirty pages devoted to Wuornos' trial and execution.

[Miette · Rating 3 out of 5]

After watching the excellent film “Monster” I wanted to learn more about Wuornos but this book covers more the police investigation of her crimes than her life and back story. Still, from the little it covered about her, it’s obvious what a sad and pathetic life she had. But “The Damsel of Death”, really? Who writes like that?

[Melinda Tyler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not go into the details of how society failed this woman throughout her sad & troubled life. I don’t think she (or anyone) should be condemned to die, especially a person who has obvious mental health problems. Too bad her crimes were committed in a death penalty state (FL).

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story balanced presentation.

Very readable and logically presented recounting of this sad saga. Provides background showing she never really had a chance. Nicely done.

[Sandy Kling · Rating 1 out of 5]

I felt that the book was poorly written. It seems also that if the investigation was portrayed correctly, there was so much evidence; therefore, the entire case dragged out way too long.

[Steph Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and comprehensive.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning

Have been curious about this story from the beginning. What a sad life she lived even though what she did was horrible I still feel pity for her.

[Heidi Harkenrider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative

This book is very informative. Where there is room for conjecture the author used the details provided from the case.

[Bunny Cakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book!

This was a really well done book on Aileen Wurnos. I can't think of anything I would change. Almost everything seemed to be handled with care and respect.

[Emilie Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay... kinda slow..

[Tambra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Book learning about Aileen I enjoyed it. Good read.

[Sara Ostrowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aileen was the first serial killer that ever peaked my interest. I wanted a nice nonfiction true crime book to read and this one hit all the marks!

[Kayla Mathews · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I liked this title - there is more out there that goes over the psychology of this woman which is what I was hoping for with this.