Hometown Killer

by Carol J. Rothgeb

Child KillerSpringfield, Ohio was an All-American town. A town rocked in 1992 by the discovery of two adolescent girls, brutally raped and murdered. Investigators soon learned that four local misfits had been accomplices. Yet DNA tests proved that the true culprit was still on the loose. Deadly DeceiverInexplicably, the four men continued to mislead police throughout the years of the investigation, periodically supplying false clues and leads. While a cold-blooded killer remained at large, 31-year-old Belinda Anderson was raped and murdered, and Helen Preston, 38, was raped, beaten, and left for dead. Not until 1996, when a prostitute managed to survive a terrifying ordeal at the hands of her would-be slayer, were police able to catch the man who'd been stalking Springfield's women and children. Family ManHe was William K. Sapp, husband, father of two young boys and a baby girl of his own. Behind his mask of seeming normalcy lay a murderous rage toward women. Here is the startling true story of a town besieged-and of the relentless manhunt that tracked Sapp through the years, finally bringing him to justice. Includes 16 Pages Of Shocking Photos

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

439 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Fishface · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could hardly get through this one. The author made the mistake of including every single word of every single interview with every single witness, all of whom had mental retardation on top of being highly evasive. There is a time to quote and a time to summarize. This would have been the time to summarize. I made the effort because the story was so unusual and horrifying.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

True crime is one of my favorite genres but I did not care for this book. It was mostly just a transcript of the questionings and interrogations of the multiple perpetrators of the killings and rapes in a medium sized city in Ohio. Three of the men involved in the crimes were mentally impaired with low IQs, which made the case more difficult to investigate. I would like to see Ann Rule write a book on this same story, I think it would be much more readable.

[Valerie Carpenter parzyck · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very confused with this book. There were so many different names involved and it was basically transcripts of mentally incompetent people. It was extremely confusing.

The case is very sad. I think the author would have done justice to it if she would have told the story herself and not included the multiple stories told by people with IQ of 50.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This will likely be the only book that I ever consider to be a good read but recommend against reading. To read about what happened to a 12 and 13 y o as it did to these two is an experience that good and decent people should not go through and that you likely will not fully get past.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sad tragedy. Still hard to believe people can be so evil. Right in my own hometown.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a bit frustrating in parts , not due to the writing but the suspects, they were mentally challenged so the poor police had to try and get answers out of them

[Koren · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you like your true crime to be word for word transcripts then this is for you. Otherwise, skip it. Can you even be called an author if all you do is copy transcripts? I'm not really sure why I finished it, but mostly I skimmed.

[Anissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

These murders happened in my hometown. I was just a year younger than one of the two young victims and the same age as the other. I remember when this happened. However, I was young (only 11) and didn’t hear more than the rumors that were floating around our town. One of the men that was questioned at one point actually mowed the grass across the street from where I lived and my cousins and I had interacted with him many times. I cannot say if he is one of the men quoted as I cannot remember his name or if I ever knew it. The place where the girls were found was not far from our house, just a half mile.

With the fact I was young and that we lived so close, my mom wouldn’t let me watch the news and keep up with the case. This book finally answered so many of my questions and actually made me aware of the other connected case. The writing is not the greatest, but I feel the author was trying to convey the fact of the mental capacity of several of the suspects.

If you are familiar with this case, I would highly recommend it. If you are not familiar, you probably will not appreciate this book.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's amazing what a supposed "family man" can do in secrecy. How can someone be married to a man like this and not know something was wrong? And, how could William K. Sapp murder innocent girls when he himself had two boys and a daughter! The cruelty of the human race astounds me at times.

From back cover:

"Springfield, Ohio was an All-American town. A town rocked in 1992 by the discovery of two adolescent girls, brutally raped and murdered. Investigators soon learned that four local misfits had been accomplices. Yet DNA tests proved that the true culprit was still on the loose.

Inexplicably, the four men continued to mislead police throughout the years of the investigation, periodically supplying false clues and leads. While a cold-blooded killer remained at large, 31-year-old Belinda Anderson was raped and murdered, and Helen Preston, 38, was raped, beaten, and left for dead. Not until 1996, when a prostitute managed to survive a terrifying ordeal at the hands of her would-be slayer, were police able to catch the man who'd been stalking Springfield's women and children.

He was William K. Sapp, husband, father of two young boys and a baby girl of his own. Behind his mask of seeming normalcy lay a murderous rage toward women. Here is the startling true story of a town besieged-and of the relentless manhunt that tracked Sapp through the years, finally bringing him to justice."

[Sallie Des Biens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Further justification for the oh so politically incorrect mandatory sterilization of some people.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sad story. It was written well.

[Valerie Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Growing up in Springfield and not knowing about this case I thought it was an interesting read. I was able to relate with the atmosphere and ideas/feelings portrayed within the book as it literally hits home. It was interesting to learn about the cases and be able to place exactly where they occurred as we would go to that Schuler’s bakery before church each Sunday. Good read if you’re into murders... only downsides (for me) of the book is there was WAY too much quoting from trial transcripts!! It also seemed to jump back and forth and as a reader it was hard to keep up with who and what throughout. Author could have summarized and written a little clearer in this manner. Overall, good read. Was recommended to me by a hometown friend and only reason I really read it was because it was my hometown.

[Karen Bullock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only 2 stars for this true crime; what looked interesting turned out to be a bit confusing with a ridiculous amount of shady characters introduced within the first few chapters that just became uninteresting for moving forward in the book.
The killer of course is a despicable individual despite his ability to "hide" his monstrous side & surely the problem with most serial killers & killers in general, as they don't look any different then non killing folk. Truly disturbing.

[Malcolm]

I am quite puzzled why Sapps prior mentalhealth Information say from age 10-12 was not more formally talked about in the book. If that data was made available people probably would not be so mystified by his behavior but made to wonder why he did’nt get the treatment he needed.

[Tina Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book 3 times. I'm from the town this took place in. I also knew people in this book. I think the author did a great job of getting details correct. As I read this book, I was able to picture the places and events that took place during this time.

[Lis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really did enjoy this book, just found it hard to follow at times. A tough read, which is why it took me some time. It is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in true crime. Be prepared to be totally disgusted at what one human can do to others.

[Jeanita Perry · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am a true crime fan but this was really hard to get into. It was well written(what I read of it) however due to the victims being around the same age as my niece and nephew I just couldn’t continue.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very difficult to read due to the long, verbatim transcripts of interviews. The author at least in one instance mentioned “mentally retarded” which is not acceptable terminology for the mentally handicapped.

[Delphia Gomez]

This book kept me intrigued and was an easy read.

[Heavena]

I can't figure out how to read it

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like others have said, it is mostly a transcript of the interviews. It was an interesting read for someone not very familiar with the case.

[Kristine Rumer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rambling

I am interested in this case because it is local, but was highly disappointed. It is basically a compilation of police interviews from the suspects and does not flow. I would prefer a shorter book with more facts of the investigation presented in a more readable and engaging way.

[Courtney Misich · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the most comprehensive work on Saap. My only criticism is the extensive transcripts from the interview tapes. It began to feel daunting, confusing, and overused. Additional summary of the interviews would have helped with clarity
Overall this work helped to provide insight on Saap and his victims. The author did a great job of keeping the victims in mind while writing.

[Stephanie Phipps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still shocked this happened so close to home, and I had no idea it occured. I am genuinely saddened for the victims and their families. This story makes me wonder how many other serial killers were working central Ohio without the public knowing.

[Kris Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a true crime book I picked for our true crime group. This story took place in Springfield which is where I lived. In fact, I lived by one of the victims and across the street from 2 of those convicted. Iy was interesting to get the whole story.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok true crime book. I didnt hate it or love it

[Greg · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think an 8 year old could write better

[Micky Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

[Gloria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just another book to remind us of the level of Evil out there.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not written very well. Got through about 70% before I quit.