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Dead and Buried
From a bestselling author, a true account of a paroled sex offender’s vicious crimes: “No one faces evil head-on like Corey Mitchell” (Gregg Olsen).
On a November night in 1998, in San Luis Obispo, California, college student Rachel Newhouse was walking alone when a stranger appeared. He was wearing a grotesque skull-face Halloween mask. Knocking her unconscious, the attacker threw Newhouse into his pick-up truck and took her to his secluded canyon cabin where he raped her, hog-tied her, then left her to strangle to death.
The following March, a stalker who’d been shadowing twenty-year-old Aundria Crawford broke into her apartment, pummeled her into insensibility, and carried her away to his hideout. There, she was sexually assaulted, tortured, and murdered.
As Californians reacted with panic and outrage to the disappearances, parole officer David Zaragoza paid a visit to one of his charges, Rex Allan Krebs, a violent serial rapist who had served only ten of his twenty-year sentence at Soledad State Prison. After sending Krebs back to jail for violating his parole, Zaragoza made a shocking discovery on the premises: an eight ball keychain belonging to one of the victims.
The find would lead to an intensive search of the canyon property, a grisly discovery, and a confession in which Krebs asked, “If I am not a monster, then what am I?” A jury answered his question in 2001, sentencing him to death by lethal injection. This is the full story from Los Angeles Times–bestselling author Corey Mitchell, who offers “some of the most up-close, incisive true-crime coverage in a long time” (Poppy Z. Brite).
“A front seat on a roller coaster of terror.” —Dennis McDougal, author of Mother’s Day
On a November night in 1998, in San Luis Obispo, California, college student Rachel Newhouse was walking alone when a stranger appeared. He was wearing a grotesque skull-face Halloween mask. Knocking her unconscious, the attacker threw Newhouse into his pick-up truck and took her to his secluded canyon cabin where he raped her, hog-tied her, then left her to strangle to death.
The following March, a stalker who’d been shadowing twenty-year-old Aundria Crawford broke into her apartment, pummeled her into insensibility, and carried her away to his hideout. There, she was sexually assaulted, tortured, and murdered.
As Californians reacted with panic and outrage to the disappearances, parole officer David Zaragoza paid a visit to one of his charges, Rex Allan Krebs, a violent serial rapist who had served only ten of his twenty-year sentence at Soledad State Prison. After sending Krebs back to jail for violating his parole, Zaragoza made a shocking discovery on the premises: an eight ball keychain belonging to one of the victims.
The find would lead to an intensive search of the canyon property, a grisly discovery, and a confession in which Krebs asked, “If I am not a monster, then what am I?” A jury answered his question in 2001, sentencing him to death by lethal injection. This is the full story from Los Angeles Times–bestselling author Corey Mitchell, who offers “some of the most up-close, incisive true-crime coverage in a long time” (Poppy Z. Brite).
“A front seat on a roller coaster of terror.” —Dennis McDougal, author of Mother’s Day
383 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
June 4, 2011
I actually worked at the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's department when these crimes were terrorizing our community. I lived about 2 blocks away from Rex Kreb's victim that sent him to prison for 20 years, serving 10. It was heart wrenching to watch the families and friends come search our community looking for their daughters that had gone missing. There seemed to be a profile of the missing girls, which were young, single, small framed girls from the college.
Long after Rex Krebs was taken into custody for parole violations, there was ongoing investigations and evidence gathering that soon enough pin pointed Rex Krebs to the murders of these two young ladies.
Rex's girlfriend, a young attractive black woman, would come visit him in the early days shortly after his arrest on the murder charges. I remember her telling me she was pregnant and was returning to San Diego to be closer to family. I felt very sorry for her and have thought about her child several times over the years, hoping it's fate was much better than Rex's.
Rex's only other common visitor was his attorneys. It was a tough thing to have to look this man in the eye during his visits, knowing what he had been accused of doing. Only a thick security glass and about 6 feet separated us clerks from these prisoners. His demeanor was always calm, kind and quiet. He was a model prisoner in the jail. That alone is a bit scary when you think of how mean he was to these girls. What a coward for him to have picked these two little girls and to have hurt them the way he did.
I will always remember his name and that of his victims. Just because you have terrible things happen to you as a child, does not mean you get a "free ride" to become a monster yourself. Shame on you Mr. Krebs. My prayers are with the families and that of the detectives that finally broke this case.
Long after Rex Krebs was taken into custody for parole violations, there was ongoing investigations and evidence gathering that soon enough pin pointed Rex Krebs to the murders of these two young ladies.
Rex's girlfriend, a young attractive black woman, would come visit him in the early days shortly after his arrest on the murder charges. I remember her telling me she was pregnant and was returning to San Diego to be closer to family. I felt very sorry for her and have thought about her child several times over the years, hoping it's fate was much better than Rex's.
Rex's only other common visitor was his attorneys. It was a tough thing to have to look this man in the eye during his visits, knowing what he had been accused of doing. Only a thick security glass and about 6 feet separated us clerks from these prisoners. His demeanor was always calm, kind and quiet. He was a model prisoner in the jail. That alone is a bit scary when you think of how mean he was to these girls. What a coward for him to have picked these two little girls and to have hurt them the way he did.
I will always remember his name and that of his victims. Just because you have terrible things happen to you as a child, does not mean you get a "free ride" to become a monster yourself. Shame on you Mr. Krebs. My prayers are with the families and that of the detectives that finally broke this case.
December 31, 2019
The troubling account of the murders of Rachel Newhouse and Aundria Crawford by a man who knew better, but went ahead and did it anyway. He caused far more pain than this to other people, but because they survived they didn't get nearly as much attention. This book is about the two times he went that one extra step.
November 17, 2017
This book made me feel conflicting feels that I wasn't expecting to feel. Admittingly I feel bad that Krebbs went through such abuse from his parental figures. His childhood was terrible and it makes me grateful for my loving and supportive parental figures that I have in my life. However, this does not excuse the fact that Krebbs did multiple terrible deeds against two girls that didn't deserve his rage. The photos are saddening and disturbing but that is what crimes of sexual assault and murder usually are. The writing was slightly messy as it moved from detailed, interesting, and well explained to boring and inattentive to details. Overall this book wasn't bad but I expected clearer writing throughout the book.
October 11, 2009
A really interesting read. Rex Krebs is out on parole when he rapes and murders two young women in CA. One of the things I liked about hte book was the in depth discussions of his psychological issues and the opinions of different experts on them.
October 25, 2009
It sucks cause I cannot find when I read it and what my thoughts were. Well Maybe I will read it again. I think I liked it. Must be cause after this book I bought many more books by this author.
January 23, 2022
This true crime book was a difficult read due to the upsetting, sexually-deviant nature of the crime with completely unknown, innocent female victims. It was well put together, factual and presented in a digestible format. Due to the heavy nature, I was glad to have finished it.
May 9, 2018
I was interested in this case, because the crimes by Rex Krebs were committed near Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA where I lived for a few years when a young teen - my dad had a job teaching music at the California Men's Colony, the prison where Timothy Leary was incarcerated after he was convicted. This Krebs man had a horrible childhood, granted and he even expressed remorse for the crimes he committed against young women, but in the final analysis, his disorder came down to what they now call 'antisocial personality disorder'; i.e. psychopath, sociopath, whatever is the current 'cool' term. He has now been on Death Row in San Quentin for 17 years. The problem with the death penalty is that there are mandatory reviews and appeals which take many years to get through. A study has found that it is less costly to lock someone like this up for the remainder of their life, rather than go through the death penalty hoop jumping. I saw a current picture of this defendant, and he looks like a very ordinary nondescript man, although he is now in his 50s and was much younger and very drunk (he is an alcoholic) when he decided to ruin the lives of other innocent families along with ruining his own future. The way Death Row inmates are housed and their lack of social contact, I believe, would be harder to endure for almost anyone whereas a quick carrying out of legal death sentences would be the easier way out for these people. Indeed, many of them want to be executed as quickly as possible so they don't have time to sit all alone and think about what their lives have been about. I could not wrap my mind around these crimes, and the Lacey Peterson murder (she and her husband attended Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo) because when I lived and went to school there, I loved the area. This was an interesting analysis of more senseless crime....
August 7, 2013
great writing it didn't focus too much on the court case
December 17, 2022
Bad man. Good girls. Multiple offender. Screwy system for offenders after release. Psychopath plus alcohol and childhood abuse equals rage and murder. Perhaps a bit too much background of the killer and a bit too little about the victims and the police, as I hate to give so much ink to a total loser. The women were wholly innocent, if perhaps a bit too naive about the dangers on our streets. The police did outstanding work once they got the community and other agencies involved. A damn shame.
August 8, 2011
This is a true crime book which is not as gruesome and it leads you to believe on the cover. Either that or I am just desensitized to such things. The story is sad all the way around. Child abuse....prison.....rape......kidnapping......murder.I have teen-aged daughters and it is frightening to think that such things are happening in this world all too often. This book gives you a good insight into the world of such mayhem. I found the first 3/4 of the book to be pretty intriguing...but thought the testimony in the trial was a bit boring and dull. It is an okay book to read if you have the chance to do so. At least it will let you get to know the victims and who they were.
March 31, 2015
real life monster.
For once in a trial, justice has been served. The only thing I can say for monster Krebs, is at least he almost told the truth when asked, and ultimately accepted he would die by the justice system.
Although he had two too many chances with the justice system prior to the last two heinous crimes, he does get what he deserves., however, I would have given it 5 stars if there would have been a final chapter on after the trial, and what he felt, and thought, it was definitely a good read...
For once in a trial, justice has been served. The only thing I can say for monster Krebs, is at least he almost told the truth when asked, and ultimately accepted he would die by the justice system.
Although he had two too many chances with the justice system prior to the last two heinous crimes, he does get what he deserves., however, I would have given it 5 stars if there would have been a final chapter on after the trial, and what he felt, and thought, it was definitely a good read...
May 31, 2018
He called himself a monster
In 1998 and 1999, an immoral, conscienceless man kidnapped, raped and murdered two college girls in San Luis Obispo, California. This is the story of the crimes, the investigation, the confession and the trial. These were gruesome crimes and they are related in great detail.
In the words of John Trice, the prosecutor, "What he did to these girls will stagger you and make you question your basic belief in humanity."
11
In 1998 and 1999, an immoral, conscienceless man kidnapped, raped and murdered two college girls in San Luis Obispo, California. This is the story of the crimes, the investigation, the confession and the trial. These were gruesome crimes and they are related in great detail.
In the words of John Trice, the prosecutor, "What he did to these girls will stagger you and make you question your basic belief in humanity."
11
July 22, 2017
Good, easy read.
May 10, 2018
Well written.
November 27, 2018
All of these true crime books tell horrific tales and this one is no different. ...so very sad. The book is very detailed and graphic in its descriptions so beware if you have "triggers" that would make reading this book unbearable. Personally, I thought the detailed descriptions were needed to paint a realistic picture of the crimes and the pure evil of the murderer.
I knocked it down one star because at times I thought certain events either jumped around or repeated themselves. Also, some of the trial transcripts could have been summarized rather than reporting verbatim the testimony of various experts, e.g. the psychologists testimony went on and on. Overall, a very well done true crime book and an author that I would recommend.
I knocked it down one star because at times I thought certain events either jumped around or repeated themselves. Also, some of the trial transcripts could have been summarized rather than reporting verbatim the testimony of various experts, e.g. the psychologists testimony went on and on. Overall, a very well done true crime book and an author that I would recommend.
February 27, 2020
This horrible case is more proof that the U.S. Supreme Court did a horrid disservice to the whole nation when it abolished the death penalty for rape, around 1977. If Krebs had been executed after the first break-in and forcible rape, all of the other victims after that would still be alive. The U.S. executed over 100 soldiers during WWII, many for rape. It did serve as a deterrent and protection for women and children walking the streets of our communities at night. Krebs' crime spree would have been at an end, early, if he had been executed for the first rape. Our ancestors used the death penalty for rape alone for over 200 years. It is appropriate and it is justice for the victims, in cases of forcible stranger rape.
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April 21, 2021I have not yet read this book but I will. I just discovered it existed. I'm writing this to say that I was on the jury for this case. And yes, it was as gruesome as the book indicates. Jury lasted a total of 7 weeks. The judge on the case offered counseling services for all jurors, individually, which I took advantage of. I'm curious to see how accurate the book is as I kept an ongoing journal throughout the trial as a way to decompose every day since we were not allowed to discuss the case while it was going on.
April 26, 2023
I am true crime junkie, never had heard of Rex Krebs who is still sitting on death row in California. This is the sad true story of the murders of Rachel Newhouse and Aundria Crawford, and how the system failed Rex Krebs. These crimes are sexually-deviant in nature and some readers may find this book disturbing.
4/5 Stars: Loved this author's style of writing, had to run to the used bookstore to obtain additional books written by him. A reader would be able to know that crime was truly researched to be written about everything from start to finish, thoroughly impressed.
4/5 Stars: Loved this author's style of writing, had to run to the used bookstore to obtain additional books written by him. A reader would be able to know that crime was truly researched to be written about everything from start to finish, thoroughly impressed.
October 16, 2022
Raw!
Dead and Buried is raw beyond any true crime document I have ever read. I learned a great deal about mental illness but it is enough about the cruelty and evil for me ever! On to another topic, as a retired English teacher.I wish the author had asked an experienced English teacher to proofread and correct the constant grammar errors. It was most distracting.
Dead and Buried is raw beyond any true crime document I have ever read. I learned a great deal about mental illness but it is enough about the cruelty and evil for me ever! On to another topic, as a retired English teacher.I wish the author had asked an experienced English teacher to proofread and correct the constant grammar errors. It was most distracting.
April 9, 2018
True Crime
The author has done a good job with this book. He has told a comprimizing story about serial murder and the trial that followed. He has written a sensitive story about a difficult subject. Anybody who likes true crime stories would enjoy it
The author has done a good job with this book. He has told a comprimizing story about serial murder and the trial that followed. He has written a sensitive story about a difficult subject. Anybody who likes true crime stories would enjoy it
April 13, 2018
Amazing Read
This account proves why there should be some crimes for which there should not be parole. In this instance therapy and a greater knowledge may have helped prevent the deaths of two innocent girls just starting on life’s adventures.
This account proves why there should be some crimes for which there should not be parole. In this instance therapy and a greater knowledge may have helped prevent the deaths of two innocent girls just starting on life’s adventures.
April 12, 2019
One of the most well written books that I have ever read.
The author tells a very concise and well organized narrative. He sticks to facts that we proven during the investigation and does not try and insert his agenda.
The author tells a very concise and well organized narrative. He sticks to facts that we proven during the investigation and does not try and insert his agenda.
March 17, 2022
Well written . Tugs at your heartstrings for the victims.
There were times I had to stop reading because it was such a horrific thing he did to these young girls. This book has been well researched and was very interesting. I liked the book. I hate that the events happened.
There were times I had to stop reading because it was such a horrific thing he did to these young girls. This book has been well researched and was very interesting. I liked the book. I hate that the events happened.
May 29, 2022
very well written
The story was well written with a copy concise flow to read. My only complaint is there were multiple multiple words written together that made it difficult to read. For example- wordswere connected whenthey should not have been.
The story was well written with a copy concise flow to read. My only complaint is there were multiple multiple words written together that made it difficult to read. For example- wordswere connected whenthey should not have been.
February 13, 2018
lousey ending
January 16, 2019
A very good book, which held my interest. Parts of the trial especially the testimony of the two shrinks dragged on and on. Still, an interesting story.
September 26, 2019
Very twisted! I think what shocked me most of all Was Rex Krebb's upbringing- not that it excuses what he did at all.
October 17, 2019
A must read for true crime readers. It outlines the making of a sadistic rapist and murderer. It describes how childhood abuse could create a monster.
January 27, 2020
The book is honestly not written well, but I kept with it because the story itself is about someone local to my area and I was intrigued.
February 12, 2022
I tried, but I just couldn't get into it. True crime has not been my thing that last couple of years.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews